Spring 2017 | PA 5022 Section 001: Economics For Policy Analysis and Planning II -- Cost-Benefit Analysis (67793)
- Instructor(s)
- Class Component:
- Lecture
- Credits:
- 1.5 Credits
- Repeat Credit Limit:
- 3 Credits
- Grading Basis:
- A-F only
- Instructor Consent:
- No Special Consent Required
- Instruction Mode:
- In Person Term Based
- Class Attributes:
- Topics Course
- Times and Locations:
- First Half of Term01/17/2017 - 03/06/2017Tue, Thu 09:45AM - 11:00AMUMTC, West BankBlegen Hall 330
- Also Offered:
- Course Catalog Description:
- Application of economic reasoning to various public policy issues. Cost-benefit analysis, nonmarket valuation, and tax analysis. prereq: [[5021 or equiv], public policy major] or instr consent
- Class Notes:
- MHR students: Contact grime004@umn.edu for class permission number. http://classinfo.umn.edu/?jtemple+PA5022+Spring2017
- Class Description:
- This class introduces students to methods used in cost-benefit analysis, the leading evidenced-based method for guiding decisions about whether a government program or policy improves the well-being of society. For Humphrey students, this course fulfills part of the economics core requirement (PA 5021-5022). For students who have already fulfilled that requirement, this course can be used to satisfy requirements in the Advanced Policy Analysis concentration. The theoretical foundations of CBA will be discussed and then students will read a variety of CBA applications in areas including health, transportation, and education. This course also can be used to satisfy requirements in both the Evaluation and the Prevention Science graduate minors and the Early Childhood Policy Certificate.
- Grading:
- There will be two quizzes worth 20% each, three assignments worth 10 points each, and a final paper worth 20% in total. The final paper will have two parts - a one page summary submitted in advance and the final paper. Class participation and good class citizenship (attendance, participation, no obvious internet surfing or texting) can add another 10% to your grade. The final paper will either be an evaluation and critique of an existing cost-benefit analysis or a proposal of a benefit-cost study of an actual policy or program.
- Exam Format:
- The two in-class quizzes or midterms will include a variety of question types such as short answer, graphical and algebraic problems.
- Class Format:
- This is a 7 week class worth 1.5 credits. A prior course in microeconomics is required.
- Textbooks:
- https://bookstores.umn.edu/course-lookup/67793/1173
- Past Syllabi:
- http://classinfo.umn.edu/syllabi/jtemple_PA5022_Spring2019.doc (Spring 2019)
http://classinfo.umn.edu/syllabi/jtemple_PA5022_Spring2018.pdf (Spring 2018)
http://classinfo.umn.edu/syllabi/jtemple_PA5022_Spring2016.doc (Spring 2016) - Instructor Supplied Information Last Updated:
- 17 November 2016
Spring 2017 | PA 5022 Section 002: Economics For Policy Analysis and Planning II -- Population Economics (67794)
- Instructor(s)
- Class Component:
- Lecture
- Credits:
- 1.5 Credits
- Repeat Credit Limit:
- 3 Credits
- Grading Basis:
- A-F only
- Instructor Consent:
- No Special Consent Required
- Instruction Mode:
- In Person Term Based
- Class Attributes:
- Topics Course
- Times and Locations:
- Second Half of Term03/20/2017 - 05/05/2017Tue, Thu 09:45AM - 11:00AMUMTC, West BankBlegen Hall 330
- Also Offered:
- Course Catalog Description:
- Application of economic reasoning to various public policy issues. Cost-benefit analysis, nonmarket valuation, and tax analysis. prereq: [[5021 or equiv], public policy major] or instr consent
- Class Notes:
- MHR students: Contact grime004@umn.edu for class permission number. http://classinfo.umn.edu/?jannaj+PA5022+Spring2017
- Class Description:
- This section of PA 5022 will apply economic theories and techniques to the study of population. An important aim is to familiarize students with historical and contemporary trends in fertility, mortality, migration, and family composition, and the implications of these trends for the economy. The course demonstrates the application of microeconomic theory to demographic behavior, including fertility, marriage, and migration. Students are introduced to basic techniques of demographic measurement and mathematical demography. Selected potential topics include the economic consequences of population growth in developing countries, the economics of fertility and female labor force participation, the effects of an older age structure on the social security system, and the relationship between population growth and natural resources.See the syllabus from Spring 2015 below. Note that the final paper requires data analysis, so it is recommended you take Multivariate Analysis (PA 5033) either before or at the same time as this class. Grading is based on the final paper and three assignments. Exact topics covered may vary slightly, depending on the interests of the class and recent developments in demographic economic topics.
- Textbooks:
- https://bookstores.umn.edu/course-lookup/67794/1173
- Syllabus:
- http://classinfo.umn.edu/syllabi/jannaj_PA5022_Spring2017.pdf
- Instructor Supplied Information Last Updated:
- 20 October 2016
Spring 2017 | PA 5022 Section 003: Economics For Policy Analysis and Planning II -- Economics of Social Insurance Programs (67795)
- Instructor(s)
- Class Component:
- Lecture
- Credits:
- 3 Credits
- Grading Basis:
- A-F only
- Instructor Consent:
- No Special Consent Required
- Instruction Mode:
- In Person Term Based
- Class Attributes:
- Topics Course
- Times and Locations:
- Regular Academic Session01/17/2017 - 05/05/2017Tue, Thu 11:15AM - 12:30PMUMTC, West BankHubert H Humphrey Center 184
- Also Offered:
- Course Catalog Description:
- Application of economic reasoning to various public policy issues. Cost-benefit analysis, nonmarket valuation, and tax analysis. prereq: [[5021 or equiv], public policy major] or instr consent
- Class Notes:
- MHR students: Contact grime004@umn.edu for class permission number. http://classinfo.umn.edu/?hanra003+PA5022+Spring2017
- Class Description:
This class will introduce you to the Economics of Social Insurance Programs. It begins by introducing a framework to evaluate the efficiency and equity of social insurance programs. It then applies this framework to health insurance, unemployment insurance, workers' compensation, welfare and the EITC, and social security.
Application of economic reasoning to various public policy issues. Cost-benefit analysis, nonmarket valuation, and tax analysis. prereq:
[[5021 or equiv], public policy major] or instr consent Student may contact the instructor or department for information.- Learning Objectives:
Students in this module will learn to:
understand and critique the main economic rationales for current social insurance programs,
understand trade-offs in the design of social insurance programs between providing risk protection and promoting efficient efforts to avoid losses,
read and evaluate current empirical research on the impacts of social insurance programs
construct written and oral arguments for specific policy reforms- Grading:
- Class Attendance + Participation:
It is important that you attend each class and make an effort to participate constructively in class discussion. Repeated absences from classes can have a negative effect on your overall grade.
Problem Sets (15%)
I will assign three problem sets that cover the material in the first part of the class. You may work in groups on these problem sets, but you must write up the answers in your own. You will receive a grade of check, check minus, or check plus for these problem sets.
In-Class Quiz (25%)
There will be an in-class quiz covering the material in the first part of the class.
In-Class Presentations:
You will be asked to work in a group to lead class discussion of a current policy reform proposal in the areas of health insurance, unemployment insurance, welfare reform, and social security reform. These presentations will not be graded, but will help guide you in writing your policy memos. Failure to complete one of these presentations can have a negative impact on your grade.
Short policy memos (40%)
You will write two short policy memos that present an argument for or against one of the proposals discussed in class. Each memo must be 3-5 pages, double spaced.
Final Group Projects (20%)
- Textbooks:
- https://bookstores.umn.edu/course-lookup/67795/1173
- Past Syllabi:
- http://classinfo.umn.edu/syllabi/hanra003_PA5022_Spring2019.docx (Spring 2019)
http://classinfo.umn.edu/syllabi/hanra003_PA5022_Spring2018.pdf (Spring 2018)
http://classinfo.umn.edu/syllabi/hanra003_PA5022_Spring2016.docx (Spring 2016) - Instructor Supplied Information Last Updated:
- 21 February 2017
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