Public Economics

This course covers areas of active empirical research on the design and effects of taxes and government spending. The areas covered are welfare economics, income taxation and labor supply, optimal income taxation, the effects of welfare and social insurance programs including AFDC/TANF, social security, unemployment insurance, workers' compensation, and disability insurance. While the emphasis is primarily empirical, the course begins each topic with the main theoretical work in that area. While intended for Ph.D. students, masters students with an outstanding record may enroll after consulting with the instructor. (=Econ 36301)