Public Economics 1/2 Seminar

Seminar Public Economics 1/2

Master, 5 ECTS

Course Type: Seminar

Content: Current Topics in Public Economics

Language: English

Offered in

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

Application to participate: Occurs in the prior semester.

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 2, Winter Semester 2024/2025

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 (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

Seminar Public Economics 1, Summer Semester 2024:

During the seminar, participants will discuss a broad range of topics. A first set of topics addresses questions related to Public Economics (Prof. Büttner). A second set relates to Behavioral Public Economics and Political Economy (Prof. Necker). The third set relates to Public Economics and Spatial Economics (Prof. Wrede). The list of topics in the course description provides more details, including references and brief comments on the research questions covered in the respective literature: Course Description SS 2024 – updated.

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 in the Course Description 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 7, 2024.

The second part consists of a two-day seminar (June 27-28, 2024) of students’ presentations. 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 the presentation, followed by 25 minutes of discussion.

Organizational details and grading for Summer Semester 2024

  • The seminar is jointly organized by the chairs of Prof. Büttner, Prof. Necker, and Prof. Wrede.
  • Students who want to participate in Summer Semester 2024 should express their interest by submitting the Participation Form SS 2024 via email to Ramona Müller, M.Sc. (ramona.v.mueller@fau.de) by February 23, 2024 (deadline has been extended until March 8, 2024).
  • Please indicate your preferred topics. Preference will be given to the earliest submissions.
  • Please note that the maximum number of participants is 10 students.
  • After being assigned a topic, non‐participation in the seminar should be communicated within one week via email to ramona.v.mueller@fau.de so that the topic can possibly be reassigned to a student on the waiting list.
  • Additional information on how to write a seminar paper, how to search for literature, etc. will be provided in an introductory session.
  • 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.
  • Questions concerning the Public Economics 1 seminar in Summer Semester 2024 should be directed to Ramona Müller, M.Sc. (ramona.v.mueller@fau.de).

Downloads:

Course Description SS 2024 – updated

Participation Form SS 2024 (Application deadline has been extended until March 8, 2024)

Guidelines for Searching Literature

Instructions for Writing a Seminar Thesis

Enrollment procedure for Winter Semester, Public Economics 2:

 

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