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Unit of study_

LAWS6257: Public Policy

2022 unit information

The aim of the unit is to provide an understanding of the role of government policy within the analytical framework of welfare economics. Questions of central interest include: What are the conditions that justify government intervention? How can policies be designed to support basic principles of social justice? What kinds of reforms promote economic efficiency? Applications will range from taxation and social security to environmental regulation and protection, and will cover the following specific topics: The structure of the Australian tax-benefit system; Uncertainty and social insurance; Unemployment, health and retirement income insurance; Externalities, environmental taxes and tradeable permits; Monopoly and environmental regulation; Utility pricing and access problems; Cost benefit analysis, intergenerational equity and growth. The unit will provide an overview of the main empirical methodologies used in evaluating policy reforms in these areas. Students may select to specialise in one or more of the policy areas.

Unit details and rules

Managing faculty or University school:

Sydney Law School

Study level Postgraduate
Academic unit Law
Credit points 6
Prerequisites:
? 
None
Corequisites:
? 
None
Prohibitions:
? 
LAWS6139 or LAWS6042 or LAWS6113 or LAWS6984 or LAWS3447 or LAWS5147
Assumed knowledge:
? 
None

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. Develop capacity to think logically in the analysis of public policy
  • LO2. Develop a knowledge and understanding of modern public economic theory
  • LO3. Develop ability to read and understand how to use data in the analysis of policy
  • LO4. Develop a capacity to apply modern public economic theory and draw on econometric evidence in the analysis and design of public policy

Unit availability

This section lists the session, attendance modes and locations the unit is available in. There is a unit outline for each of the unit availabilities, which gives you information about the unit including assessment details and a schedule of weekly activities.

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There are no availabilities for this year.
Session MoA ?  Location Outline ? 
Intensive September 2020
Block mode Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Intensive September 2021
Block mode Remote
Semester 2b 2022
Block mode Remote

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Modes of attendance (MoA)

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Important enrolment information

Departmental permission requirements

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Additional advice

Core unit for MALP students. Academic Profile: https://sydney.edu.au/law/about/people/list.php. The unit is also available on a Continuing Professional Development basis https://sydney.edu.au/law/study-law/continuing-professional-development.html