School: Public Administration Course Number: PADM612 Course Name: Public Finance Credit Hours: 3 Length of Course: 8 weeks Prerequisite: none

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1 School: Public Administration Course Number: PADM612 Course Name: Public Finance Credit Hours: 3 Length of Course: 8 weeks Prerequisite: none Instructor Information Course Description Course Scope Course Objectives Course Delivery Method Course Resources Evaluation Procedures Grading Scale Course Outline Policies Academic Services Selected Bibliography Instructor Information Instructor: Course Description (Catalog) This course focuses on financial issues in the public sector. It is designed as an overview of key elements in public budgeting, public finance, and public financial management. Various government activities with respect to government spending and taxation are analyzed by applying basic principles and quantitative models of finance. Decisions about public spending, raising revenue, borrowing, and managing public debt are studied extensively in this course.

2 Course Scope Part one of the course covers government expenditure (budgeting) or the liability side of the balance sheet. Included in this part are such topics as the budget process, budgeting institutions, budget methods, budget classification, and capital budget and infrastructure. Part two covers the topic of revenue. Included in this part are such topics as the various types of taxes (income, sales, and property) as well as debt administration. Course Objectives After successfully completing this course, you will be able to Evaluate the effectiveness of the principles public finance programs in dealing with current and projected funding needs of federal, state, and local governments. Critique the effectiveness of fiscal administration policies in current use. Judge the logic of the budget process. Assess the Federal tax structure and determine problems with tax reform. Synthesize the major sources of tax revenue and methods of revenue forecasting. Produce, through interaction with the Professor and other students, analysis and application of procedures used in fiscal administration. Develop an evaluative scholarly paper (research based) on a chosen topic of the course. Course Delivery Method This course delivered via distance learning will enable students to complete academic work in a flexible manner, completely online. Course materials and access to an online learning management system will be made available to each student. To facilitate class interaction, forum discussion assignments are due by Friday evenings of the week as noted. All other course work is due by Sunday evenings of the week as noted and includes forum classmate responses, papers, projects, and quizzes/examinations submitted for review by the Faculty Member. Assigned faculty will support the students throughout this eightweek course. Course Resources Required Course Textbooks

3 Mikesell, John L. (2011). Fiscal Administration: Analysis and Applications for the Public Sector (8 th ed.). Wadsworth Company. ISBN: Evaluation Procedures Grades for this course will be based upon four grading instruments. The grade scale for each of the evaluation is provided below: Text Reading and Chapter s: Chapter questions are assigned each week and are due by Sunday at 11:59 pm EST/EDT. Your answers to assignment questions should be well developed and should show evidence of a mind at work as well as a clear demonstration that you have completed the reading assignments. Responses should address all parts of the question and be supported with the required readings and appropriate academic journal references. Weekly n s (): Initial post is due on Friday at 11:59pm ET and subsequent replies by Sunday at 11:59pm ET. The initial post must be at least 750 words and contain professional references as sources supporting your analysis. Postings should demonstrate that you have reflected on the assigned readings, and synthesized the material with your previous knowledge and experience. Post at least two replies to student posts during the week. This means that they add to the discussion, carry it forward, and contribute new and meaningful content to the direction of the conversation. Do not simply restate the thoughts of another student, or just say that you agree with what has been said. You are also required to post two additional postings as responses to your colleagues. These must be at least 250 words and must be posted by Sunday at midnight. Research Paper: Students must select a topic pertaining to some aspect of Public Finance and prepare a page paper; not counting the title page, abstract, and reference section; describing and analyzing the topic. The paper is one way to gauge the student s overall knowledge and understanding of the course subject material. Students are encouraged to discuss selection of the topic with the professor as soon as possible. The professor MUST approve the topic. The topic must be related to the course subject material and accounts for twenty-percent of the final grade. Students are required to use the format as prescribed in the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (APA), 6th edition. The criteria for evaluating the research paper is: Synthesis of Knowledge 25%: Does the paper cohesively link policy concepts and learning objectives to the current event topic? Are there clear linkages to the unit, the text, and current events?

4 Foundation of Knowledge 25%: Does the paper incorporate appropriate source material to develop and substantiate the analysis. Application of Knowledge 25%: Does the student effectively communicate policy concepts and ideas? Can the student apply the ideas present in the article to the real world? Writing Skill and Use of Resources 25%: The paper is grammatically correct and free of spelling errors. The paper is in the active voice. Does the paper follow APA formatting and style guidelines? There is an introduction, logical body, and summary. Does the student demonstrate an ability to perform independent academic research by incorporating peer review academic articles, books, or other material from government institutions? Final Exam: s are designed to test the students knowledge and understanding of the subject matter. The final exam will account for twenty-percent of the final grade. Grade Instruments: Chapter s Weekly n s Research Paper Final Exam Points 800 pts 800 pts 200 pts 100 pts 1900 pts 8 Week Course Outline Please see the Student Handbook to reference the University s grading scale. Wee Topics Course Readings Assignme

5 k Objectives nts Fundamental Principles of Public Finance Budget Structures and Institutions Budget Classifications and Reform Assess the effectivene ss of public finance programs principles in dealing with current and projected funding needs of governmen tal organizatio ns. Critique the effectivene ss of fiscal administrat ion policies in current use. Critique the effectivene ss of fiscal administrat ion policies in current use. Chapters 1 & 2 CRS Report for Congress: Introduction to the Federal Budget Process CRS Report for Congress: The Congressional Appropriations Process: An Introduction Chapters 3 & 4 GAO Report to the Congress, January 2009: High-Risk Series-An Update, GAO ( _risk.php) Chapters 5 & 6 discussion question 1, p. 33; 2, p. 34; 3, pp. 89 & 90 n 6, p. 158; 4, pp ; 6, p. 212, and. 8, p. 213 n s 3 & 5, pp ; 3 p. 328;

6 10, pp research paper topic 4 Revenue Sources, Structure, and Administratio n Critique, through interaction with the Professor and other students, analysis and application of procedures used in fiscal administrat ion. Chapters 7 & 8 U.S. Department of the Treasury: Fact Sheets on the History, Taxes -congress.htm n 2, p. 377; s 1 & 3 pp. 431 and Major Tax Structures Critique, through interaction with the Professor and other students, analysis and application of procedures used in fiscal administrat ion. Chapters 9 & 10 n 1, p. 479; 6, p. 480;. 1 p. 523; 3, p Collecting Taxes Revenue Forecasts, Chapters 11 & 12

7 Revenue Estimates n 2, p. 559; 2, p. 591 Diversity and Coordination Chapters 13 & 14 n 7 Intergovernme ntal Fiscal Relations 1, p. 624; 1, p. 663; Research Paper Due 8 Managing Funds Cash Management and Employee Retirement Funds Chapter 15 New York s Exploding Pension Costs Reports/2010/12/pensionexplosion cfm n 1. p. 694 Final Exam Policies Please see the Student Handbook to reference all University policies. Quick links to frequently asked question about policies are listed below. Drop/Withdrawal Policy

8 Plagiarism Policy Extension Process and Policy Disability Accommodations Writing Expectations All written submissions should be submitted in a font and page set-up that is readable and neat. It is recommended that students try to adhere to a consistent format, which is described below. Typewritten in double-spaced format with a readable style and font and submitted inside the electronic classroom (unless classroom access is not possible and other arrangements have been approved by the professor). Arial, 12-point font. Page margins Top, Bottom, Left Side and Right Side = 1 inch, with reasonable accommodation being made for special situations and online submission variances. Citation and Reference Style Assignments completed in a narrative essay or composition format must follow the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (APA), 6th edition. The following link may help: To access the manual using the APUS course site click on: Library/tutorials/apa.htm Late Assignments Students are expected to submit classroom assignments by the posted due date and to complete the course according to the published class schedule. As adults, students, and working professionals, I understand you must manage competing demands on your time. Should you need additional time to complete an assignment, please contact me before the due date so we can discuss the situation and determine an acceptable resolution. Routine submission of late assignments is unacceptable and may result in points deducted from your final course grade. Netiquette Online universities promote the advancement of knowledge through positive and constructive debate both inside and outside the classroom. s on the Internet, however, can occasionally degenerate into needless insults and flaming. Such activity and the loss of good manners are not acceptable in a university setting basic academic rules of good behavior and

9 proper Netiquette must persist. Remember that you are in a place for the rewards and excitement of learning which does not include descent to personal attacks or student attempts to stifle the of others. Technology Limitations: While you should feel free to explore the full-range of creative composition in your formal papers, keep layouts simple. The Sakai classroom may not fully support MIME or HTML encoded messages, which means that bold face, italics, underlining, and a variety of color-coding or other visual effects will not translate in your messages. Humor Note: Despite the best of intentions, jokes and especially satire can easily get lost or taken seriously. If you feel the need for humor, you may wish to add emoticons to help alert your readers: ;-), : ), Disclaimer Statement Course content may vary from the outline to meet the needs of this particular group. Online Library The Online Library is available to enrolled students and faculty from inside the electronic campus. This is your starting point for access to online books, subscription periodicals, and Web resources that are designed to support your classes and generally not available through search engines on the open Web. In addition, the Online Library provides access to special learning resources, which the University has contracted to assist with your studies. s can be directed to librarian@apus.edu. Charles Town Library and Inter Library Loan: The University maintains a special library with a limited number of supporting volumes, collection of our professors publication, and services to search and borrow research books and articles from other libraries. Electronic Books: You can use the online library to uncover and download over 50,000 titles, which have been scanned and made available in electronic format. Electronic Journals: The University provides access to over 12,000 journals, which are available in electronic form and only through limited subscription services. Tutor.com: AMU and APU Civilian & Coast Guard students are eligible for 10 free hours of tutoring provided by APUS. Tutor.com connects you with a professional tutor online 24/7 to provide help with assignments, studying, test prep, resume writing, and more. Tutor.com is tutoring the way it was meant to be. You get expert tutoring whenever you need help, and you work one-to-one with your tutor in your online classroom on your specific problem until it is done.

10 Request a Library Guide for your course ( The AMU/APU Library Guides provide access to collections of trusted sites on the Open Web and licensed resources on the Deep Web. The following are specially tailored for academic research at APUS: Program Portals contain topical and methodological resources to help launch general research in the degree program. To locate, search by department name, or navigate by school. Course Lib-Guides narrow the focus to relevant resources for the corresponding course. To locate, search by class code (e.g., SOCI111), or class name. If a guide you need is not available yet, please the APUS Library: librarian@apus.edu. Turnitin.com Faculty may require assignments be submitted to Turnitin.com. Turnitin.com will analyze a paper and report instances of potential plagiarism for the student to edit before submitting it for a grade. In some cases professors may require students to use Turnitin.com. Typically the course professor will establish a Turnitin.com access code for his/her classes. If the code has not been established, those who wish to use Turnitin.com may ask their professor to establish the code. Special Note to Faculty: Please be certain to provide accurate directions and to set up the functionality appropriately. Selected Bibliography