Hyman, D. N. (2014). Public finance: A contemporary application of theory to policy (11th ed.). Stamford, CT: Cengage Learning.

Transcription

1 PUA 5305, Public Finance and Budgeting Course Syllabus Course Description Presents the foundational theories and methodological tools used in public finance and budgeting. Students apply their knowledge to make use of finance and budgeting methodological tools, such as cost-benefit and cost-effectiveness analysis in the application of finance and budgetary theory to practice. Students also create and oversee public sector fiscal processes. Students evaluate a budget and identify important budget items that public managers must consider in preparation and presentation of a budget. The usefulness of finance and budgeting theoretical constructs and methodological tools are applied to solve real-world public finance and budgetary case studies. Course Textbook Hyman, D. N. (2014). Public finance: A contemporary application of theory to policy (11th ed.). Stamford, CT: Cengage Learning. Course Learning Outcomes Upon completion of this course, students should be able to: 1. Assess the relationship of historical and contemporary finance-budgeting theory to real-world public administration issues. 2. Discuss the ethical implications on the budget process at the federal, state, and local levels. 3. Compare contemporary financial management practices at the federal, state, and local levels. 4. Identify political factors that influence and determine financial management practice in the public arena. 5. Evaluate a model budget. 6. Consider the impact of citizen influence on the budgetary process at various levels of governance. 7. Describe the impact of budgetary deficiencies on public agencies. 8. Apply practical methods to reconstructing finance and budgeting techniques. Credits Upon completion of this course, the students will earn three (3) hours of college credit. Course Structure 1. Study Guide: Each unit contains a Study Guide that provides students with the learning outcomes, unit lesson, required reading assignments, and supplemental resources. 2. Learning Outcomes: Each unit contains Learning Outcomes that specify the measurable skills and knowledge students should gain upon completion of the unit. 3. Unit Lesson: Each unit contains a Unit Lesson, which discusses lesson material. 4. Reading Assignments: Each unit contains Reading Assignments from one or more chapters from the textbook. 5. Suggested Reading: Suggested Readings are listed in the Unit I, III, and IV study guides. Students are encouraged to read the resources listed if the opportunity arises, but they will not be tested on their knowledge of the Suggested Readings. 6. Discussion Boards: Discussion Boards are part of all CSU term courses. More information and specifications can be found in the Student Resources link listed in the Course Menu bar. 7. Unit Assignments: Students are required to submit for grading Unit Assignments in Units I-VIII. Specific information and instructions regarding these assignments are provided below. Grading rubrics are included with each assignment. Specific information about accessing these rubrics is provided below. PUA 5305, Public Finance and Budgeting 1

2 8. Ask the Professor: This communication forum provides you with an opportunity to ask your professor general or course content related questions. 9. Student Break Room: This communication forum allows for casual conversation with your classmates. CSU Online Library The CSU Online Library is available to support your courses and programs. The online library includes databases, journals, e-books, and research guides. These resources are always accessible and can be reached through the library webpage. To access the library, log into the mycsu Student Portal, and click on CSU Online Library. You can also access the CSU Online Library from the My Library button on the course menu for each course in Blackboard. The CSU Online Library offers several reference services. and telephone ( ) assistance is available Monday Thursday from 8 am to 5 pm and Friday from 8 am to 3 pm. The library s chat reference service, Ask a Librarian, is available 24/7; look for the chat box on the online library page. Librarians can help you develop your research plan or assist you in finding relevant, appropriate, and timely information. Reference requests can include customized keyword search strategies, links to articles, database help, and other services. Unit Assignments Unit I Article Critique Your task is to offer a detailed critique of a peer-reviewed article you locate in the CSU Online Library. The article must be related to explaining how the needs of certain groups of individuals or institutions (e.g., veterans, the elderly, the poor, hospitals, or clinics) can determine how government on the local, state, or federal level spends their money. Using the first few pages of Chapter 1 as a guide, select a specific group of individuals or institutions in our society as part of your search. In your critique, address the following questions/points: What are the main points and arguments of the author(s)? What is your opinion of the article? How does the article relate to your experience or current job in the public or nonprofit sector? How can the points and arguments of the author(s) be applied to the public sector in a practical sense? Describe how positive and negative externalities could affect the efficiency with which governments can allocate their resources to provide for the needs of citizens. The critique should be roughly 500 words in length (approximately two double-spaced pages). Be sure to cite all borrowed, quoted, and paraphrased material appropriately in APA style. Your professor is most interested in your opinion (the second and third bullet points above). Please view the following resource for assistance when preparing your assignment for submission: How to Write a Critique. Unit II Essay Compose an essay of no less than 500 words discussing the topics covered in this unit. Your essay should include the following: Describe at least three public goods provided by public institutions and how these public goods impact society domestically and/or internationally. Discuss how demand and supply of public goods is influenced by external, environmental, economic, and political factors. Discuss Arrow s impossibility theorem, and give an example of how it can affect the political process, other than the example discussed in the unit lesson and the textbook. You must use at least one scholarly source in addition to your textbook to complete this assignment. All sources used, including the textbook, must be referenced; paraphrased and quoted material must have accompanying citations. All references and citations used must be in APA style. PUA 5305, Public Finance and Budgeting 2

3 Unit III Essay Using your favorite search engine, locate the federal budget and your state budget for the current fiscal year. Compare and contrast both budgets in an essay consisting of no less than 500 words, and include the following: Discuss the budgeting tools utilized by both government types. Discuss the impact of market inefficiencies on both government types. Discuss the use of rainy day funds by the state and whether or not something similar would work for the federal government. If you feel it would work for the federal government, please explain how you think it would work. If you do not think it will work, please explain your reasoning. Unit IV PowerPoint Presentation Assume that you are a social worker for the Department of Children and Families in your state, and you have been asked to present information about a public assistance program of your choice to a group of volunteers who will be working with low-income families. Prepare a PowerPoint presentation in which you cover the following information about the program: Discuss the evolution of the program. Explain the means test utilized by the program. Discuss the role and relationship that exists among federal, state, and local governments in the administration of the program. Your PowerPoint presentation should consist of at least seven slides, not including the title slide and reference slide. Please be sure to cite all references using APA style. Unit V Case Study You are a municipal budget analyst. Using your favorite search engine, locate the budget of a municipality that has completed a petition to file bankruptcy. Some examples include Detroit, Michigan; Stockton, California; Central Falls, Rhode Island; San Bernardino, California; Prichard, Alabama; and Vallejo, California. Develop your case study findings and recommendations consisting of no less than 500 words in which you discuss the following: Briefly describe the municipality s demographics. Evaluate the previous three-year trend of the municipality s major revenue sources and expenditures. Analyze the impact of the issues contributing to the municipality s budget deficiencies. Propose three alternative financing options. Unit VI Project Topic Part I This assignment is the first of a three-part process. Parts II and III will be completed in Units VII and VIII respectively. Using your favorite search engine, select a local government budget that has not filed a petition for bankruptcy. Evaluate the past three years of the selected government s distribution of income. Develop an analysis including the following: Evaluate trends of revenue sources and balances (funds, surpluses, deficits) and how they impact the government s budget. Evaluate ethical practices of financial policy on taxes, fees, and charges. Assess internal/external opportunities and challenges of revenue sources. PUA 5305, Public Finance and Budgeting 3

4 Your report should consist of no less than two pages, and all sources utilized should be cited and referenced using APA style. Please ensure that you include a cover page and reference page. Remember that the cover page and reference page are not included in the page expectation. Unit VII Project Topic Part II Multi-year Budget Evaluation This assignment is the second of a three-part process. Part III will be completed in Unit VIII. Using the selected government budget from Part I in the previous unit, evaluate the past three years allocation of private and public goods. Develop an analysis including the following: Evaluate goals and priorities of the local government goods and services. Assess internal and external challenges for providing goods and services. Evaluate budget stabilization measures. Provide recommendations. Your report should consist of no less than two pages, and all sources utilized should be cited and referenced using APA style. Please ensure that you include a cover page and reference page. Remember that the cover page and reference page are not included in the page expectation. Unit VIII Project Topic Part III Prepare a report in which you cover the following information about the multi-year budget evaluation: trends of revenue sources and balances (funds, surpluses, deficits); an assessment of internal/external opportunities and challenges of revenue sources; goals and priorities of the local government goods and services; an assessment of internal and external challenges for providing goods and services; an evaluation of budget stabilization measures; and an analysis of financial policy trends toward alternative taxes. Your report should consist of no less than three pages, and all sources utilized should be cited and referenced using APA style. Please ensure that you include a cover page and reference page. Remember that the cover page and reference page are not included in the page expectation. APA Guidelines The application of the APA writing style shall be practical, functional, and appropriate to each academic level, with the primary purpose being the documentation (citation) of sources. CSU requires that students use APA style for certain papers and projects. Students should always carefully read and follow assignment directions and review the associated grading rubric when available. Students can find CSU s Citation Guide by clicking here. This document includes examples and sample papers and provides information on how to contact the CSU Success Center. Grading Rubrics This course utilizes analytic grading rubrics as tools for your professor in assigning grades for all learning activities. Each rubric serves as a guide that communicates the expectations of the learning activity and describes the criteria for each PUA 5305, Public Finance and Budgeting 4

5 level of achievement. In addition, a rubric is a reference tool that lists evaluation criteria and can help you organize your efforts to meet the requirements of that learning activity. It is imperative for you to familiarize yourself with these rubrics because these are the primary tools your professor uses for assessing learning activities. Rubric categories include: (1) Discussion Board, (2) Assessment (Written Response), and (3) Assignment. However, it is possible that not all of the listed rubric types will be used in a single course (e.g., some courses may not have Assessments). The Discussion Board rubric can be found within Unit I s Discussion Board submission instructions. The Assessment (Written Response) rubric can be found embedded in a link within the directions for each Unit Assessment. However, these rubrics will only be used when written-response questions appear within the Assessment. Each Assignment type (e.g., article critique, case study, research paper) will have its own rubric. The Assignment rubrics are built into Blackboard, allowing students to review them prior to beginning the Assignment and again once the Assignment has been scored. This rubric can be accessed via the Assignment link located within the unit where it is to be submitted. Students may also access the rubric through the course menu by selecting Tools and then My Grades. Again, it is vitally important for you to become familiar with these rubrics because their application to your Discussion Boards, Assessments, and Assignments is the method by which your instructor assigns all grades. Communication Forums You can access these forums with the buttons in the Course Menu. Click here for instructions on how to subscribe/unsubscribe and post to the Communication Forums. Ask the Professor This communication forum provides you with an opportunity to ask your professor general or course content questions. Questions may focus on Blackboard locations of online course components, textbook or course content elaboration, additional guidance on assessment requirements, or general advice from other students. Questions that are specific in nature, such as inquiries regarding assessment/assignment grades or personal accommodation requests, are NOT to be posted on this forum. If you have questions, comments, or concerns of a nonpublic nature, please feel free to your professor. Responses to your post will be addressed or ed by the professor within 48 hours. Before posting, please ensure that you have read all relevant course documentation, including the syllabus, assessment/assignment instructions, faculty feedback, and other important information. Student Break Room This communication forum allows for casual conversation with your classmates. Communication on this forum should always maintain a standard of appropriateness and respect for your fellow classmates. This forum should NOT be used to share assessment answers. Grading Discussion Boards 2%) = 16% Essays 10%) = 20% Project Topics 10%) = 30% Unit I Article Critique = 10% Unit IV PowerPoint Presentation = 10% Unit V Case Study = 14% Total = 100% Course Schedule/Checklist (PLEASE PRINT) PUA 5305, Public Finance and Budgeting 5

6 The following pages contain a printable Course Schedule to assist you through this course. By following this schedule, you will be assured that you will complete the course within the time allotted. PUA 5305, Public Finance and Budgeting 6

7 PUA 5305, Public Finance and Budgeting Course Schedule By following this schedule, you will be assured that you will complete the course within the time allotted. Please keep this schedule for reference as you progress through your course. Unit I Economic Basis for Government Roles Unit Study Guide Chapter 1: Individuals and Government Chapter 2: Efficiency, Markets, and Governments Chapter 3: Externalities and Government Policy Suggested Reading: See Study Guide Discussion Board Response: Submit your response to the Discussion Board question by Saturday, Discussion Board Comment: Comment on another student s Discussion Board response by Article Critique by Unit II Political Institutions and Public Goods Unit Study Guide Chapter 4: Public Goods Chapter 5: Public Choice and the Political Process Discussion Board Response: Submit your response to the Discussion Board question by Saturday, Discussion Board Comment: Comment on another student s Discussion Board response by Essay by Unit III National and Sub-national Governments Unit Study Guide Chapter 6: Cost-Benefit Analysis and Government Investments Chapter 12: Budget Balance and Government Debt Suggested Reading: See Study Guide Discussion Board Response: Submit your response to the Discussion Board question by Saturday, Discussion Board Comment: Comment on another student s Discussion Board response by Essay by PUA 5305, Public Finance and Budgeting 7

8 PUA 5305, Public Finance and Budgeting Course Schedule Unit IV Major Government Programs and Subsidies Unit Study Guide Chapter 7: Government Subsidies and Income Support for the Poor Chapter 8: Social Security and Social Insurance Chapter 9: Government and Health Care Suggested Reading: See Study Guide Discussion Board Response: Submit your response to the Discussion Board question by Saturday, Discussion Board Comment: Comment on another student s Discussion Board response by PowerPoint Presentation by Unit V Government Finance Unit Study Guide Chapter 10: Introduction To Government Finance Chapter 18: Fiscal Federalism and State and Local Government Finance Discussion Board Response: Submit your response to the Discussion Board question by Saturday, Discussion Board Comment: Comment on another student s Discussion Board response by Case Study by Unit VI Taxation Unit Study Guide Chapter 11: Taxation, Prices, Efficiency, and the Distribution of Income Chapter 13: The Theory of Income Taxation Discussion Board Response: Submit your response to the Discussion Board question by Saturday, Discussion Board Comment: Comment on another student s Discussion Board response by Project Topic by PUA 5305, Public Finance and Budgeting 8

9 PUA 5305, Public Finance and Budgeting Course Schedule Unit VII Tax Reform Unit Study Guide Chapter 14: Taxation of Personal Income in the United States Chapter 15: Taxation of Corporate Income Discussion Board Response: Submit your response to the Discussion Board question by Saturday, Discussion Board Comment: Comment on another student s Discussion Board response by Project Topic by Unit VIII Trends in Taxation: Consumption Tax, the New Alternative Unit Study Guide Chapter 16: Taxes on Consumption and Sales Chapter 17: Taxes on Wealth, Property, and Estates Discussion Board Response: Submit your response to the Discussion Board question by Saturday, Discussion Board Comment: Comment on another student s Discussion Board response by Project Topic by PUA 5305, Public Finance and Budgeting 9