Public Economics 1/2 Seminar

Seminar Public Economics 1/2

Master Seminar, 5 ECTS

Content:  Current Topics in Public Economics

Language:  English

Offered in

  • Summer Semester (Public Economics 1,  Module 52950, Exam 29505)
  • Winter Semester (Public Economics 2, Module 52960, Exam 29605)

Application process to participate: Occurs in the prior semester (Application deadline for SS 25 is February 21, 2025)

Exam registration/deregistration period (SS 25): May 12/13, 2025

Joint seminar offered by:

  • Prof. Büttner, Chair of Public Finance
  • Prof. Wrede, Chair of Social Policy
  • Prof. Necker, Professor of Economics; Director of the Ludwig Erhard ifo Institute for Social Market Economy and Institutional Economics

Contact: 

Seminar Public Economics 1 (Summer Semester 2025)

During the seminar, participants will discuss a broad range of topics. A first set of topics is provided by the chair of Prof. Büttner, a second set by the chair of Prof. Necker, and a third set by the chair of Prof. Wrede. The list of topics in the Course Description SS 25 provides more details, including references and a brief research question. A supervisor is specified for each topic or will be announced after the topic has been assigned.

The seminar has two consecutive parts:

In the first part, students write a thesis (15 pages) under the guidance of their advisor. In an introductory session, students learn about the principles of scientific work and the scope of analysis that is expected. The thesis elaborates on the topic’s literature (see Course Description SS 25 for the main article(s) to be covered). Students are expected to search for additional literature and then work independently on their topic. Advisors provide close guidance during this process. The deadline to hand in the thesis is June 13, 2025.

The second part consists of a two-day seminar (July 10-11, 2025) of students’ presentations. Attendance at the two-day seminar is compulsory. Before preparing their presentations, supervisors will provide students with detailed feedback on their thesis. During the seminar students present their thesis. Each presenter has 25 minutes for her/his presentation, followed by 25 minutes of discussion.

Organizational details and grading for Summer Semester 2025

  • The seminar is jointly organized by the chairs of Prof. Büttner, Prof. Necker and Prof. Wrede.
  • Students who want to participate should express their interest by submitting a Participation Form SS25 to Elisa Poletto (elisa.poletto@fau.de) by February 21, 2025.
  • Please indicate your preferred topics. Preference will be given to the earliest submissions. Students are assigned to a specific topic in a timely manner.
  • After being assigned to a specific topic, students can repeal their participation within a week’s time. After that deadline has passed, participation in the seminar is mandatory. Students not handing in a thesis in time will be graded a 5.0.
  • Please note that the maximum number of participants is 10 students.
  • Additional information on how to write a seminar paper, how to search for literature, etc. will be provided in an introductory session.
  • Exam Registration/Deregistration period: May 12/13, 2025 (Exam number: 29505)
  • Grading: The overall grade will reflect the quality of the thesis (50%), the presentation in the seminar (30%), and the student’s contributions to the discussion following each of the presentations (20%).
  • In the discussion section, two students will be assigned for “Lead Comments” on topics to which they are not assigned, which will be known beforehand. These students are expected to make two substantive comments related to the topic that was presented. Afterwards other students may proceed with asking their own questions regarding the topic.

Downloads (Summer Semester 2025)

Public Economics 1 Course Description SS 25

Public Economics 1 Participation Form SS25 (apply by February 21, 2025)

Guidelines for Searching Literature

Instructions for Writing a Seminar Thesis

Seminar Public Economics 2 (WS 2024/25)

During the seminar, participants will discuss a broad range of topics. A first set of topics addresses questions related to public economics (Prof. Büttner). Furthermore, a second set explores behavioral public economics and political economy issues (Prof. Necker). Finally, a third set relates to spatial and public economics (Prof. Wrede). The list of topics in the course description above provides more details, including references and brief comments on the research questions covered in the respective literature.

The seminar has two consecutive parts:

  • In the first part, students write a thesis (15 pages) under the guidance of their advisor. In an introductory session, students learn about the principles of scientific work and the scope of analysis that is expected. The thesis elaborates on the literature (see the list of topics for the main article[s] to be covered). Students are expected to search for additional literature and then work independently on their topic. Advisors provide close guidance during this process. The deadline to hand in the thesis is January 08, 2025.
  • The second part consists of a two-day seminar (January 23 & 24, 2025) of students’ presentations. Attendance on both days of the two-day seminar is compulsory. Before preparing their presentations, supervisors will provide students with detailed feedback on their thesis. During the seminar students present their thesis. Each presenter has 25 minutes for her/his presentation, followed by 25 minutes of discussion. In the discussion section, two students will be assigned for “Lead Comments” on topics to which they are not assigned, which will be known beforehand. These students are expected to make two substantive comments related to the topic that was presented. Afterward other students may proceed with asking their own questions regarding the topic. A more detailed schedule of the presentations will be provided to registered participants during the semester.

Enrollment Procedure

  • Students who would like to participate during the Winter 2024/2025 should express their interest by submitting the registration form via email to William Dean, M.Sc. (william.dean@fau.de) by August 5, 2024. Please note that the maximum number of participants is 10 students. Please refer to the information made available on the website of the Chair of Public Finance (Prof. Büttner): Seminar in Public Economics 2 in Winter Semester.

Downloads (WS 2024/25)

Course Description

Registration Form

Guidelines for Searching Literature

Instructions for Writing a Seminar Thesis

 

 

Further information about this course can be found in the module handbook.