Learning objectives
Using a highly applied approach and avoiding as far as possible theoretical complications (largely of no use in professional contexts due to a lack of the necessary information), the course sets out to illustrate the fundamental concepts of project evaluation and public policies, with particular reference to cost-benefit analysis.
Prerequisites
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Course unit content
Programme for ATTENDING students <br />
<br />
Introduction. <br />
Project evaluation: relevance, effectiveness, efficiency and impact of a project. <br />
Cost-benefit analysis <br />
- basic principles and decision-making rules; <br />
- economic costs; <br />
- opportunity cost of public funds; <br />
- economic benefits; <br />
- environmental costs and benefits; <br />
- sensitivity analysis of results obtained. <br />
Evaluation of European research projects. <br />
<br />
Programme for NON-ATTENDING students <br />
Introduction <br />
Project evaluation: relevance, effectiveness, efficiency and impact of a project (see handout); <br />
Impact of a project on the regional economy; <br />
Input-output analysis (see article provided by teacher). <br />
Cost-benefit analysis <br />
Introduction (Campbell & Brown, Chapter 1); <br />
Decision-making rules (Campbell & Brown, Chapter 3); <br />
Efficiency cost-benefit analysis (Campbell & Brown, Chapter 5); <br />
Sensitivity analysis (Campbell & Brown, Chapter 9, paragraphs 1, 2, 3); <br />
Social discount rate and opportunity cost of public costs (Campbell & Brown, Chapter 10, paragraphs 1, 2, 3); <br />
Valuation of non-market-traded goods (Campbell & Brown, Chapter 12). <br />
Full programme
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Bibliography
Textbook for ATTENDING students <br />
<br />
Lecture notes. <br />
H. Campbell, R. Brown, Benefit-Cost Analysis, Cambridge University Press 2003. <br />
<br />
Textbook for NON-ATTENDING students <br />
<br />
Material supplied by the teacher on the course webpage. <br />
H. Campbell, R. Brown, Benefit-Cost Analysis, Cambridge University Press 2003. <br />
Teaching methods
Final exam for ATTENDING students <br />
The exam will consist of a written test. In addition students are required to prepare a simple exercise using a spreadsheet, to be handed in at the final lesson of the course. <br />
<br />
Final exam for NON-ATTENDING students <br />
The exam will consist of a written test. <br />
Assessment methods and criteria
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Other information
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