Red X iconGreen tick iconYellow tick icon

    Overview

    The study of economic issues regarding the provision of, and demand for, health and education services.

    After social welfare, health and education are the largest areas of government spending in most modern economies, including New Zealand. Together, health and education account for about 13% of New Zealand's gross domestic product (GDP). This paper is about the economic analysis of the health and education sectors, including government policy. Theoretical foundations and techniques of economic evaluation and decision making are also covered (useful in a wide variety of jobs when you graduate). ECON 306 is a great opportunity to apply a wide range of microeconomic concepts and techniques (e.g. some covered in ECON 201) to important real-world issues, such as healthcare rationing, priority setting, the 'value of life' and 'user-pays' (i.e. student fees and student loans) in education.

    About this paper

    Paper title Economics of Health and Education
    Subject Economics
    EFTS 0.15
    Points 18 points
    Teaching period Semester 2 (On campus)
    Domestic Tuition Fees ( NZD ) $937.50
    International Tuition Fees Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website.
    Prerequisite
    ECON 201 or ECON 271
    Schedule C
    Arts and Music, Commerce, Science
    Contact
    paul.hansen@otago.ac.nz
    Teaching staff

    Professor Paul Hansen

    Textbooks

    An up-to-date course book comprising a specially-selected collection of readings from textbooks, The Economist magazine and other sources will be available on eReserve.

    Graduate Attributes Emphasised
    Global perspective, Interdisciplinary perspective, Lifelong learning, Scholarship, Critical thinking, Ethics, Environmental literacy, Information literacy, Research, Self-motivation.
    View more information about Otago's graduate attributes.
    Learning Outcomes

    Students who successfully complete this paper will:

    1. Be able to apply the microeconomic tools and concepts introduced in first and second year Economics courses to the topics of health and education, including contemporary policy issues
    2. Be introduced to new microeconomics tools and concepts, as required
    3. Be equipped with the skills to be able to understand and critique economic evaluations of health care programmes and to be able to apply these skills more generally (i.e. to any economic project appraisal)
    4. Be encouraged to develop analytical and decision-making skills, including modest technical and quantitative proficiencies

    Timetable

    Semester 2

    Location
    Dunedin
    Teaching method
    This paper is taught On Campus
    Learning management system
    Blackboard

    Lecture

    Stream Days Times Weeks
    Attend
    L1 Monday 11:00-11:50 29-35, 37-42
    Tuesday 11:00-11:50 29-35, 37-42
    Wednesday 11:00-11:50 29-35, 37-42

    Tutorial

    Stream Days Times Weeks
    Attend one stream from
    T1 Friday 09:00-09:50 29, 31, 33, 37, 39, 41
    T2 Friday 12:00-12:50 29, 31, 33, 37, 39, 41
    Back to top