Course # 32220 Section Number 1 Day(s) Tu- Th Time(s) 2:00pm-3:20pm Term Spring 2025 Course Instructor Nathan Barker Syllabus Syllabus 2/25/25 Public Economics is the study of the role that the government plays in the economy, including both the theoretical rationale for government intervention, and the efficiency and equity consequences of its actions. In this course, we will study four broad themes related to the role of the government: (1) public goods and externalities, including education, infrastructure and the environment, (2) redistribution and social insurance, including health insurance, social security, and cash transfer programs, (3) taxation, and (4) policies to promote economic growth. For each thematic area, we will study the economic theory, and read and evaluate the empirical evidence regarding the impacts of government intervention. As part of this course, we will consider government programs in policies in both higher- and lower-income countries. Quarter Title Instructor Day(s) Time(s) Syllabus Spring 2025 Public Economics Nathan Barker Tuesday, Thursday 2:00pm-3:20pm Syllabus Recent News More news Ten Years of MSCAPP: Where Public Policy Meets Coding Wed., July 23, 2025 Rising Star in Mexico: Roberto Velasco Álvarez, MPP'17 Wed., July 23, 2025 Student Profile: Maria Villamizar Londono Wed., July 16, 2025 Upcoming Events More events Harris Summer Campus Visit Mon., July 28, 2025 | 10:00 AM Harris School of Public Policy 1307 E 60th St Chicago, IL 60637 United States Civic Leadership Academy 2026 Virtual Information Session Wed., July 30, 2025 | 12:00 PM UChicago Summer Send-Off in Tokyo Thu., July 31, 2025 | 7:30 PM DevilCraft-Hamamatsucho, Risewell Building, 1F, Minato-ku Tokyo 105-0013 Japan