Curricular Unit:			Code:
Public Policies: Budgeting and Public Finance			811PPGO
Year:	Level:	Course:	Credits:
1	Master	Business Sciences	6 ects
Learning Period:		Language of Instruction:	Total Hours:
Winter Semester		Portuguese/English	78
Learning Outcomes of the Curricular Unit:
To introduce students to Public Finances providing them with a technical and financial perspective on the impacts of different degrees of government intervention in economic systems. To introduce students to different social, political and economic implications of active public finances. To understand the dynamics of public finances in Portugal and the eurozone.
Syllabus:
1. The goal of Public Finances 2. From classic to modern Public Finances 3. The economic implications of active Public Finances 4. The Portuguese National Budget 5. Public Finances and the EMU rule 6. Public finances in the eurozone
Demonstration of the Syllabus Coherence with the Curricular Unit's Objectives:
The course provides students with an understanding of the evolution and the relevance of the different ways to look at the public finances. It starts by explaining its object of study and identifying key budget indicators. In this context, students are introduced to measurement in national accounts, which stands at the core of budgetary and fiscal policy in modern economies, in close relationship with macroeconomic policy. The course follows with the presentation of the legal framework and the analysis of the Portuguese National Budget. The fiscal rules of the EMU and the euro zone are identified, and the Fiscal Pact is analyzed, highlighting its implications for inflation and growth.
Teaching Methodologies (Including Evaluation):
The teaching methodology combines the presentation of concepts, theory and measurement with the analysis of budget information related to the Portuguese economy and the eurozone. Evaluation is based on two intermediate tests (50%+50%) or a final exam.
Demonstration of the Coherence between the Teaching Methodologies and the Learning Outcomes:
The methodology combines theoretical presentation with analysis of public finances indicators. In addition to the theoretical presentation of the contents, items 1 to 3 give more relevance to the analysis of the macroeconomic implications of public accounts. Items 4 to 6 provide information related to the framework of public finances in Portugal and the Eurozone, and give more relevance to the interpretation of budgetary balances and the sustainability of public accounts. Students are asked to solve problems throughout the course.
Reading:
Carvalho, J. (1999). Temas de Contabilidade Pública. Rei dos Livros, Lisboa. Ferreira, E. e Pessanha, A. (2009). Finanças Públicas, Legislação fundamental. Quid Iuris, Lisboa. Franco, S (1996). Direito Financeiro e Finanças Públicas, Vol. I e II. Almedina, Coimbra. Gruber, J. (2011). Public Finance and Public Policy. Worth Publishers, USA. Luís, J. (1999). POC das Autarquias Locais. Vislis Editores, Lda., Lisboa. Moreno, C. (1998). Gestão e Controlo dos Dinheiros Públicos. UAL, Lisboa. Musgrave e Musgrave (1992). Public Finance in Theory and Practice, Text and Cases. 5th Edt. Mcgraw-Hill International Ed., USA. Pires, A. e Pinto (1998). Manual do Plano Oficial de Contabilidade Pública (DL nº232/97 de 3 de Setembro). Vislis Ed., Lda., Lisboa. Ribeiro, J. (1995). Lições de Finanças Públicas. Coimbra Ed., Coimbra. Trigo Pereira, P. (2009). Economia e Finanças Públicas, da Teoria à Prática. Almedina, Coimbra.