Public Economics Seminar 1/2

Master Seminar, 5 ECTS

Content:  Current Topics in Public Economics

Language:  English

Offered in

  • Summer Semester (Public Economics 1,  Module 52950, Examination 29505)
  • Winter Semester (Public Economics 2, Module 52960, Examination 29605)

Application process to participate: Occurs in the prior semester. The application deadline for Summer Semester 2026 is March 4, 2026.

Exam Registration and Deregistration Period (in Campo): April 27-28, 2026 in Summer Semester 2026

Joint seminar offered by:

  • Prof. Büttner, Chair of Public Finance
  • Prof. Wrede, Chair of Social Policy
  • Prof. Necker, Professor of Economics; Director of the Ludwig Erhard ifo Institute for Social Market Economy and Institutional Economics

Contact: 

Seminar Public Economics 1 (Summer Semester 2026)

During the seminar, participants will discuss a broad range of topics. A first set of topics is provided by the chair of Prof. Büttner and a second set by the chair of Prof. Wrede. The list of topics in the Course Description SS26 provides more details, including references and a brief research question. A supervisor is specified for each topic or will be announced after the topic has been assigned.

The seminar has two consecutive parts:

In the first part, students write a thesis (15 pages) under the guidance of their advisor. In an introductory session, students learn about the principles of scientific work and the scope of analysis that is expected. The thesis elaborates on the topic’s literature (see Course Description SS26 for the main article(s) to be covered). Students are expected to search for additional literature and then work independently on their topic. Advisors provide close guidance during this process. The deadline to hand in the written thesis is June 4, 2026.

The second part consists of a two-day seminar (June 25-26, 2026) of students’ presentations. Attendance at the two-day seminar is compulsory. Before preparation of the presentations, supervisors will provide students with detailed feedback on their thesis. During the seminar students present their thesis. Each presenter has 25 minutes for her/his presentation, followed by 25 minutes of discussion.

Organizational details and grading for Summer Semester 2026

  • The seminar is jointly organized by the chairs of Prof. Büttner and Prof. Wrede.
  • Students who would like to participate in Summer Semester 2026 should express their interest by submitting the  Participation Form SS26 to Elisa Poletto (elisa.poletto@fau.de) no later than March 4, 2026.
  • Please indicate your preferred topics. The maximum number of participants is 8 students. Priority to participate in the seminar will generally be given to the earliest submissions to the extent that a distribution of all topics allows. Students will be assigned to a specific topic in a timely manner after the submission deadline has passed.
  • After being assigned to a specific topic, students can repeal their participation within a week’s time. After that one-week deadline has passed, participation in the seminar is mandatory. Students not handing in a thesis in time will be graded a 5.0.
  • Information on how to write a seminar paper, how to search for literature, and other important details will be provided in an introductory session on April 15, 2026, from 3:00 pm to 4:30 pm at the FAU WiSo in Nuremberg
  • Exam Registration and Deregistration period (in Campo): occurs only on April 27-28, 2026 in Summer Semester 2026 (Exam number: 29505)
  • Grading: The overall grade will reflect the quality of the written thesis (50%), the presentation in the seminar and the Q&A session (50%).
  • At the conclusion of the supervisors’ questions, students will have the opportunity to ask their own questions about the presentation. Active participation in the seminar will be rewarded with bonus points.

Downloads (Summer Semester 2026)

Course Description SS26

Participation Form SS26 (apply by March 4, 2026)

Guidelines for Searching Literature

Instructions for Writing a Seminar Thesis

Seminar Public Economics 2, Winter Semester 2025/2026

(Information for Winter Semester 2026/27 will be posted here at a future date).

During the seminar, participants will discuss a broad range of topics. A first set of topics addresses questions related to public economics (Prof. Büttner). Furthermore, a second set explores behavioral public economics and political economy issues (Prof. Necker). Finally, a third set relates to spatial and public economics (Prof. Wrede). The list of topics in the course description above provides more details, including references and brief comments on the research questions covered in the respective literature. This semester’s seminar revolves around wealth taxation.

The seminar has two consecutive parts:

  • In the first part, students write a thesis (15 pages) under the guidance of their advisor. In an introductory session, students learn about the principles of scientific work and the scope of analysis that is expected. The thesis elaborates on the literature (see the list of topics for the main article[s] to be covered). Students are expected to search for additional literature and then work independently on their topic. Advisors provide close guidance during this process. The deadline to hand in the thesis is January 07, 2026.
  • The second part consists of a two-day seminar (January 29-January 30, 2026) of students’ presentations. Attendence of both day in the two-day seminar is compulsory. Before preparing their presentations, supervisors will provide students with detailed feedback on their thesis. During the seminar students present their thesis. Each presenter has 25 minutes for her/his presentation, followed by 25 minutes of discussion. In the discussion section, two students will be assigned for “Lead Comments” on topics to which they are not assigned, which will be known beforehand. These students are expected to make two substantive comments related to the topic that was presented. Afterward other students may proceed with asking their own questions regarding the topic. A more detailed schedule of the presentations will be provided to registered participants during the semester.

For more organisational details, thesis topics, and grading, please refer to the Course Description. Further information on the event can be found in the current module handbook. The time and place can be found in Campo, documents and materials are made available on StudOn.

Enrollment Procedure (WS 2025/26)

  • Students who would like to participate in the seminar during Winter 2025/2026 should express their interest by submitting the registration form via email to Vincent Herdegen, M.Sc. (vincent.herdegen@fau.de) by August 15, 2025.
  • Please note that the maximum number of participants is 10 students.
  • Please refer to the information made available on the website of the Chair of Public Finance (Prof. Büttner): Seminar in Public Economics 2 in Winter Semester.

Downloads (Winter Semester 2025/2026):

Course Description

Registration Form

Guidelines for Searching Literature

Instructions for Writing a Seminar Thesis

Further information about this course can be found in the module handbook.