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.
| Paper title | Economics of Health and Education |
|---|---|
| Paper code | ECON306 |
| Subject | Economics |
| EFTS | 0.15 |
| Points | 18 points |
| Teaching period | Semester 2 (On campus) |
| Domestic Tuition Fees (NZD) | $912.00 |
| 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
- More information link
- View more information about ECON 306
- Teaching staff
- 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:
- 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
- Be introduced to new microeconomics tools and concepts, as required
- 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)
- Be encouraged to develop analytical and decision-making skills, including modest technical and quantitative proficiencies
