ECTS credits ECTS credits: 6
ECTS Hours Rules/Memories Student's work ECTS: 99 Hours of tutorials: 3 Expository Class: 24 Interactive Classroom: 24 Total: 150
Use languages Spanish, Galician
Type: Ordinary Degree Subject RD 1393/2007 - 822/2021
Departments: Applied Economics
Areas: Applied Economics
Center Faculty of Economics and Business Studies
Call: Second Semester
Teaching: With teaching
Enrolment: Enrollable
This elective course, taught in the second semester of the fourth year, marks the conclusion of the training path in public economics at the undergraduate level. Its main objective is to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the organization and management of the public sector from an economic perspective, combining theoretical foundations with practical applications.
The structure of the course is organized into three main thematic blocks:
Economic analysis of the public sector:
The functioning of the public sector is studied from the perspective of organizational economic theory, addressing the incentives, structures, and behaviors that define its actions.
New public management techniques:
Contemporary management approaches in the public sector are presented, with special attention to quasi-competitive mechanisms, privatization processes, and regulatory policies. Tools such as outsourcing, public concessions, and public-private partnership models are examined.
Evaluation of public policies:
The use of causal impact evaluation methodologies is addressed to measure the effects of public policies on variables of interest and assess the extent to which the intended objectives have been achieved.
In conclusion, this course provides students with the necessary skills to understand and critically analyze the governance and efficiency of the public sector, as well as to evaluate the design and outcomes of public policies.
1. Economic analysis of the public sector from the theory of organizations
2. New public management techniques
2.1. Quasi-competitive and market mechanisms
2.2. Privatization of public enterprises
2.3. The independence of control bodies and agencies
2.4. Public-private collaboration
3. Methods of public policy evaluation
3.1. Causal inference in public policy evaluation
3.2. The gold standard: Randomization
3.3. Natural experiments
3.4. Regression and matching models
3.5. Quasi-experimental methods: discontinuous regression, differences-in-differences, instrumental variables, synthetic control method
4. Public policy evaluation: Case studies and exercises
AIReF (2018-2026): Spending Review. Recurso electrónico abierto https://www.airef.es/es/spending-review/
Albi, E. y Onrubia, J. (2015): Economía de la Gestión Pública: Cuestiones fundamentales, Editorial Universitaria Ramón Areces. (Capítulo 2, Capítulo 6 y Apartado 7.1).
Artés, J. y Rodríguez-Sánchez, B. (2022): “Métodos de evaluación de políticas públicas”, Papeles de Economía Española, 172. https://www.funcas.es/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/PEE_172_Joaqu%C3%ADn-A…
Basic Competencies
CB2. The student should be able to apply the knowledge acquired to their work or vocation professionally, and possess the necessary competencies typically demonstrated through the development and defense of arguments, as well as the resolution of problems within their area of study.
CB3. The student should have the ability to gather and interpret relevant data, usually within their area of study, in order to make judgments that include critical reflection on social, scientific, or ethical aspects.
CB4. The student should be capable of communicating information, ideas, problems, and solutions to both specialized and non-specialized audiences, using an appropriate register for each context.
CB5. The student should develop the learning skills necessary to undertake further studies with a high degree of autonomy.
General Competencies
CG2. The ability to elaborate and defend arguments on economic issues at a general level and solve problems related to these issues, using their knowledge of economic reality, theories, models, and scientific methods inherent to economics.
CG5. Acquire general economic knowledge and the learning skills necessary to continue studying and undertake specialized studies in economics and other related fields, with a high degree of autonomy and techniques for data representation and presentation specific to the discipline.
Transversal Competencies
CT1. Ability to analyze and synthesize, applied to the understanding and approach of complex situations in the field of economics.
CT4. Ability to search, select, manage, and effectively use relevant information from diverse sources.
CT6. Ability to identify, formulate, and solve problems effectively, using appropriate methodologies and tools.
CT9. Development of autonomy in learning, taking responsibility for one's own educational process, and being able to self-organize study and knowledge acquisition.
Specific Competencies
CE1. Know and understand the nature of economics and the functioning of the economic environment, with a special focus on the management and governance of the public sector.
CE2. Master the knowledge and techniques of analysis and representation specific to public sector economics.
CE3. Know and apply tools for the analysis and evaluation of public policies to assess their effectiveness, efficiency, and social impact.
The teaching methodology combines various didactic strategies with the aim of facilitating meaningful and applied learning. The lecture format is used to present fundamental concepts and provide a solid theoretical foundation. This is complemented by attending conferences given by professionals and experts in the field, in order to expose students to the practical and current reality of public management. In addition, case studies are used to analyze real-life situations and develop critical thinking skills. Finally, project-based or case-based learning is promoted, encouraging teamwork, problem-solving, and the direct application of theoretical content.
Students must be able to use the virtual campus application and Teams, through which materials, tests, etc., will be shared. For this, the use of RAI and access to computer equipment (www.rai.usc.es/) is required.
The evaluation system will be continuous and will combine different instruments to assess the level of competence acquisition by the students. There will be an exam composed of various sections, including multiple-choice questions, development questions, as well as the resolution of problems and practical exercises. Additionally, the study of cases and the preparation of papers and exercises related to the application of the content will be evaluated. Active participation in organized debates will also be considered, along with the systematic observation of academic performance throughout the course, assessing the student's involvement, critical thinking, and analytical ability.
IN-CLASS WORK
Lectures: 31h
Interactive classes: 17h
Tutorials in small groups or individual sessions: 12h
Total in-class work hours: 60h
STUDENT'S PERSONAL WORK
Individual or group autonomous study: 50h
Writing exercises, conclusions, or other assignments: 25h
Computer work, research, and searches: 5h
Recommended readings, library activities, or similar: 10h
Total personal work hours: 90h
It is recommended that students continuously follow the in-person sessions, paying special attention to the teacher's explanations and actively participating in the proposed activities. It is essential to complement the content of the classes with the recommended readings, which help deepen key concepts and contextualize theory in practice. Additionally, attending scheduled activities, such as conferences or seminars, will contribute to a broader and more applied understanding of the subject. The rigorous preparation of assignments, exercises, and tasks will allow students to consolidate the knowledge acquired, which is an essential element in the process of learning and continuous assessment.
It should be noted that in cases of fraudulent completion of exercises or exams, the provisions set out in the Regulations will apply.
For the assessment of academic performance of students with an exemption status, an email must be sent to the course instructor indicating their personal details and the reason for the exemption.
Maria Cadaval Sampedro
- Department
- Applied Economics
- Area
- Applied Economics
- Phone
- 881811664
- maria.cadaval [at] usc.es
- Category
- Professor: Temporary PhD professor
Santiago Lago Peñas
Coordinador/a- Department
- Applied Economics
- Area
- Applied Economics
- santiago.lago.penas [at] usc.es
- Category
- Professor: University Professor
| Wednesday | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 09:30-11:30 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Galician | Classroom 29 |
| Friday | |||
| 09:00-10:30 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Galician | Classroom 29 |
| 05.27.2026 09:00-12:00 | Grupo /CLIS_02 | Classroom B |
| 05.27.2026 09:00-12:00 | Grupo /CLIS_01 | Classroom B |
| 05.27.2026 09:00-12:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Classroom B |
| 07.10.2026 16:00-19:00 | Grupo /CLIS_02 | Classroom 08 |
| 07.10.2026 16:00-19:00 | Grupo /CLIS_01 | Classroom 08 |
| 07.10.2026 16:00-19:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Classroom 08 |