Public Economic Theory

Undergraduate | 2026

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Mode
Mode
Your studies will be on-campus, and may include some online delivery
On campus
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Area/Catalogue
ECON X404
Course ID icon
Course ID
206063
Campus icon
Campus
Adelaide City Campus East, Adelaide City Campus West
Level of study
Level of study
Undergraduate
Unit value icon
Unit value
6
Course owner
Course owner
Economics
Course coordinator
Course coordinator
Ralph-Christopher Bayer
Course level icon
Course level
4
Work Integrated Learning course
Work Integrated Learning course
No
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Inbound study abroad and exchange
Inbound study abroad and exchange
The fee you pay will depend on the number and type of courses you study.
Yes
University-wide elective icon
University-wide elective course
Yes
Single course enrollment
Single course enrolment
Yes

Course overview

This course deepens critical thinking, reasoning, and mathematical problem-solving of public economics with a focus on public goods, including allocation and efficiency. The topics covered typically include efficiency in allocation of public goods, private and public provision of public goods, externalities, VCG mechanisms, congestion etc. Students will engage in presentations on topics within public economics of their choosing, fostering a deep understanding of the subject.

Course learning outcomes

  • Demonstrate knowledge of advanced tools and models prevalent in Public Economics
  • Modify, suitably apply and analyse models used in public economics
  • Analyse public policy from theoretical models and empirical tests
  • Explain the process of public policy formulation and its divergence from the theoretical norms of normative public economics
  • Analyse and evaluate academic articles and policies, via critical discussion and critique, using advanced tools from the discipline of public economics

Availability

Census date Icon
Census date
Fri 04/09/2026
Enrol by date
Enrol by date
Fri 21/08/2026
Last day to W
Last day to W
Fri 18/09/2026
Last day to WF
Last day to WF
Fri 16/10/2026

Class details

Adelaide City Campus East

Class number
Class number 50540
Section
Section WS01
Size
Size 25
Available
Available 25
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
4 Aug - 22 Sep Tuesday 9:10am - 11am Adelaide City Campus East Engineering North, N132
6 Aug - 24 Sep Thursday 11:10am - 1pm Adelaide City Campus East Napier, 144
13 Oct - 10 Nov Tuesday 9:10am - 11am Adelaide City Campus East Engineering North, N132
15 Oct - 12 Nov Thursday 11:10am - 1pm Adelaide City Campus East Napier, 144

Prerequisite(s)

N/A

Corequisite(s)

N/A

Antirequisite(s)

N/A

Fee calculator

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Only some Postgraduate Coursework programs are available as Commonwealth Supported. Please check your program for specific fee information.

The Student Contribution amount displayed below is for students commencing a new program from 2021 onwards. If you are continuing in a program you commenced prior to 1 January 2021, or are commencing an Honours degree relating to an undergraduate degree you commenced prior to 1 January 2021, you may be charged a different Student Contribution amount from the amount displayed below. Please check the Student Contribution bands for continuing students here. If you are an international student, or a domestic student studying in a full fee paying place, and are continuing study that you commenced in 2025 or earlier, your fees will be available here before enrolments open for 2026.