Syllabus - University of British Columbia

Syllabus
Econ 490 005
Seminar in Applied Economics
‘Personal Income Taxation: Theory and Evidence’
Winter, 2015
Contact Information:
Prof. Kevin Milligan
Department of Economics
University of British Columbia
997-1873 East Mall
Vancouver, BC
V6T 1Z1 Canada
kevin.milligan@ubc.ca
http://twitter.com/kevinmilligan
(tel) 604-822-6747
(fax) 604-822-5915
Course Website: http://faculty.arts.ubc.ca/kmilligan/teaching/econ490.htm
Office Hours: Tuesdays, 2-4pm, or by appointment.
Office Location: 1007 Buchanan Tower.
Course Summary:
The theme for this section of ECON 490 is “Personal Income Taxation: Theory and
Evidence.” The course will proceed in two stages. First, we will construct a base of
skills and knowledge about taxation and empirical analysis. Second, the skills and
knowledge will be applied through the production of a major research paper. Students
will draw on their study of econometrics and statistics (in ECON 325 and 326) and
intermediate microeconomics. No previous knowledge of the Canadian tax system is
assumed, and it is not necessary to have previously studied public economics.
The course will be taught in the classroom and in the computer lab. The in-class time
will feature both lectures and seminar-style interactive learning. In order to gain the full
benefit of the lectures and seminars, students must arrive prepared to discuss the day’s
topic. The computer lab time is critical for building the skills necessary to produce the
major research paper.
There will be several assignments throughout the year. The assignments are designed to
develop the skills necessary to produce the major research paper. As well, there will be a
specific schedule for completion of steps for the research project. These deadlines are
firm.
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The course website contains important information for the course. There will be links to
research resources, schedules for presentations, electronic copies of assignments, and
notices about the course. Students should maintain frequent contact with the website.
Plagiarism
There is no tolerance for plagiarism in this course. See the UBC Calendar for the policies
on plagiarism, or the UBC library website for a discussion of how to avoid it. Links to
these sources are on the course website.
Required Materials
There is no required textbook for this course. The software package STATA will be used
in the labs and for the assignments and paper. This software is found on the machines in
the Buchanan computer labs. It is also available for purchase at a special rate on campus.
Details about purchasing STATA will be made available in class and on the course
website.
Evaluation
Assignments
Participation
Research presentation
Final Paper
15%
10%
15%
60%
Tentative Schedule:
Assignment 1: Thinktank assignment
Assignment 2: Interim Research Report
Assignment 3: Interim Research Report
Assignment 4: Do your taxes
Assignment 5: Statistics
Project presentations
Final paper
due:
due:
due:
due:
due:
Thursday, January 15th
Tuesday, January 27th
Tuesday, February 6th
Tuesday, February 24th
Thursday, March 5th
due:
Monday April 13, 2015
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