Public Economics OpenCourseWare: MIT's Free Online Undergraduate Course on Public Economics

Published Feb 14, 2009

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Today, more than ever, understanding the government's role in the economy is critical. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) offers its 'Public Economics' course as free OpenCourseWare. In the original course, students explored the interaction of the public and private sectors and the mathematical models that economists and policymakers use to make important policy decisions. The course has been designed as an elective for students earning their bachelor's degree in Economics.

Public Economics: Course Specifics

Degree Level Free Audio Video Downloads
Undergraduate Yes No No Yes

Lectures/Notes Study Materials Tests/Quizzes
Yes Yes Yes

Public Economics: Course Description

Governments exert influence over the economy by providing public services like defense and education, by collecting taxes and by providing social welfare programs like unemployment insurance. The undergraduate 'Public Economics' class taught students about how governments make taxation and expenditure decisions that can affect millions of citizens every day. Students learned to think like policymakers, balancing the interests of society with private business. They also learned mathematical models for predicting policy outcomes. The lecture course was an option in MIT's B.S. in Economics program and was taught by Professor Jonathan Gruber.

Interested students will find a reading list, class handouts, assignments and exams with solutions in this free 'Public Economics' OpenCourseWare from MIT. You can start learning about this subject by visiting the economics of the public sector course page.

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