2024/25 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue

TRAN5060M Welfare Economics and Cost-Benefit Analysis

15 creditsClass Size: 200

Module manager: Dr Thijs Dekker
Email: T.Dekker@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable

Year running 2024/25

This module is not approved as an Elective

Module summary

Evaluating the welfare implications of projects and public policies is not an easy task. The Green Book and the Transport Appraisal Guidance provide substantial guidance for practitioners. In order to successfully and correctly apply these guidelines, a thorough understanding of the underlying concepts of welfare economics is required. The Welfare Economics and Cost-Benefit Analysis module provides the essential building blocks and methodologies underlying such exercises.

Objectives

Welfare Economics and Cost-Benefit Analysis aims for students to understand, interpret and contextualise the framework of welfare economics that underlies project and policy appraisal methods, such as cost benefit analysis, used in many countries of the world. It will provide the required theoretical background, introduce and contrast methods for implementation, and illustrate its applications.

Learning outcomes
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following learning outcomes relevant to the subject:
1. Define and describe the key classical welfare economic concepts underlying cost-benefit analysis.
2. Compare and contrast classical welfare economic concepts based on their strengths and limitations.
3. Explain, interpret and contextualise how welfare economic concepts can be put into to practice using relevant methodologies.
4. Understand and illustrate the restrictions and limitations of the welfare economic concepts when put into practice
5. Recognise how welfare economics, especially through cost-benefit analysis, informs policy makers in the UK and beyond.

Skills Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following skills learning outcomes:
1. Critical thinking
2. Problem solving and analytical skills
3. Academic writing

Syllabus

Details of the syllabus will be provided on the Minerva organisation (or equivalent) for the module

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Lecture	11	2.00	22.00
Private study hours			128.00
Total Contact hours			22.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			150.00

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Through performance in coursework, and informal interaction in class.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Assignment	Coursework	33.00
Assignment	OTLA	67.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		100.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 19/03/2024

Disclaimer

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