Course Objectives
First, understand the economics way of thinking. Second, understand the fundamental model of economics (market mechanisms). Third, understand a case of market failure, and the role of the government. Fourth, understand the economic effects and problems of public investment, and about future issues.
Rubric
| Ideal Level | Standard Level | Unacceptable Level |
| Achievement 1 | Understand the application possibility of Public Economics in political economy. | Understand the basics of Public Economics. | Do not understand what Public Economics is. |
| Achievement 2 | Can use a simple economics model to discuss real-world economic issues. | Understand the meaning of a simple economic model. | Do not understand the meaning of the simple economic model. |
| Achievement 3 | Understand Japan's public policy and can discuss its problems and future solutions. | Understand the problems and issues of public policy in Japan. | Do not understand the meaning of public policy in Japan. |
Assigned Department Objectives
Teaching Method
Outline:
In recent years, there has been many criticisms concerning the operation method of the public sector. However, in the economic society, in addition to private sectors such as consumers and corporations, public sectors such as the government has a major significance of existence. In particular, the public sector serves an important role in areas, such as urban planning and social capital improvement. In this lecture, the roles and actions of the public sector will be taught from a microeconomic perspective.
Style:
Classes are taught in a lecture-style format. Several reports will be assigned during the lecture period.
Liaison: Kazuhito Ishimatsu
Notice:
Public Economics is an important course for students majoring in Civil Engineering, since the public sector is the main analysis subject. Lectures on public policy will be conducted upon learning the basics of economics. Students should actively participate in the lecture. This course's content will amount to 90 hours of study in total. These hours include the learning time guaranteed in classes and the standard self-study time required for pre-study / review, and completing assignment reports.
Students who miss 1/3 or more of classes will not be eligible for evaluation.
Characteristics of Class / Division in Learning
Course Plan
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Theme |
Goals |
| 1st Semester |
| 1st Quarter |
| 1st |
Introduction |
Understand how an economic approach can be useful in thinking about a better society.
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| 2nd |
Market economy (1): demand curve and supply curve |
Understand the characteristics of the demand curve, consumer surplus, supply curve, and producer surplus in terms of reasonable consumer and business behaviors.
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| 3rd |
Market economy (2): market equilibrium and price mechanism |
See how market pricing mechanisms achieve equilibrium, and understand the impact of government pricing policies on the market.
|
| 4th |
Market economy (3): social welfare and total surplus |
Understand market equilibrium achieves the maximum of social welfare and total surplus. And also understand government promotes market competition.
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| 5th |
Market failure (1): externality |
Look at externality as a case of market failure and understand the internalization of socially optimal externality.
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| 6th |
Market failure (2): public goods |
See why market failure occurs in public goods and understand how to seek socially optimal level of supply.
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| 7th |
Market failure (3): public choice |
Learn about local public goods, which has the local government as the main supplier, and learn about group decision-making.
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| 8th |
Market failure (4): natural monopoly |
Understand why market failure occurs in public projects where a large fixed cost is required.
|
| 2nd Quarter |
| 9th |
Market failure (5): uncertainty |
Understand about market distortions which occur when there is information uncertainty.
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| 10th |
Taxes and public bonds (1): taxation |
Understand the economic characteristics of taxes that finance the development and maintenance of public facilities and services.
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| 11th |
Taxes and public bonds (2): public bonds |
Following taxes, understand the economic characteristics of public bonds that finance the development and maintenance of public facilities and services.
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| 12th |
Income redistribution (efficiency and fairness) |
Understand how economics handle issues of gaps and inequalities.
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| 13th |
Fundamental reasons of support (external and internal support) |
There are many subsidies provided to public facilities and services, even when a private company is the service provider. Understand the fundamental reasons.
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| 14th |
Utility bills |
Understand how the usage charge of public facilities and services is determined, the systems and regulations involved in the determination of the rates, and the problem areas.
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| 15th |
Public investment and social capital |
Understand the types of social capital and recent trends in social capital improvement.
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| 16th |
Final exam |
Test the content learned from week 1 to week 15.
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Evaluation Method and Weight (%)
| Exams | Exercise Assignments / Quizzes | Mutual Evaluations | Attitude | Portfolio | Other | Total |
| Subtotal | 90 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 100 |
| Basic Proficiency | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Specialized Proficiency | 90 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 100 |
| Cross-Disciplinary Proficiency | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |