| Course Title: | Governmental Budgeting and Finance |
|---|---|
| Course Number: | PA581 |
| Course Description: | This course provides a thorough study and analysis of revenue and expenditure systems at all levels of the government. Topics include alternative revenue sources, public budgeting processes, the appropriations process, capital budgeting and analysis, tax analysis, and government debt financing. Tax expenditures, forecasting and budgeting, and finance software systems are also addressed. |
| Course Prerequisites: | ECON545 |
Syllabus
Course Information
Course Specific Requirements
Enter content here, if necessary.
Software Citation Requirements
This course uses open-source software, and as the end users of this software, students are required to cite the software for any student work, such as assignments, labs, or projects, where the software has been utilized. Open-source software does have end-user license agreements, and all students should read the entire agreement for a software prior to installation or usage. In order to use the software in this course, software citations have been created for students and can be located on the Open Source Applications page. These software citations must be included in all student work submissions that have used the software.
Textbooks and Resources
Required Textbooks
The following books are required for this course:
Fiscal Administration
9th Edition
by John L. Mikesell
2014 Cengage Learning
E-book Details
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Campus Additional Information
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Terminal Course Objectives
DeVry University course content is constructed from curriculum guides developed for each course that are in alignment with specific Terminal Course Objectives. The Terminal Course Objectives (TCOs) define the learning objectives that the student will be required to comprehend and demonstrate by course completion. The TCOs that will be covered in detail each week can be found in the Objectives section for that particular week. Whenever possible, a reference will be made from a particular assignment or discussion back to the TCO that it emphasizes.
A
Given legislated requirements of a government program, the costs of resources, and the forecasted economic data, identify the budgeting process and where you think the budget does a good job at presenting information to the people.
B
Given the choices for the allocation of public resources in the budgeting process, assess and evaluate the flow of budget decisions from plan to expenditure.
C
Given that budgets are prepared for future years and that forecasting what the future will bring in terms of the operating conditions for government, identify and discuss some methods and activities in each phase of the budget cycle.
D
Given that local governments and school districts rely heavily on property taxes, analyze and assess the arithmetic and application of rates, levies and assessed value.
E
Given that the design of tax programs is to produce a broad-base-low-rate tax system that yields revenue with the least possible collateral damage, determine and compare regressivity, proportionality, and progressivity in a tax system.
F
Given that government debt exists because expenditures exceed revenues, argue and justify why the debt itself is not necessarily evidence of poor fiscal management.
G
Given that governments may provide many different valuable services, but do not have sufficient resources to do everything, identify and discuss how budget classification reform can provide performance data and other information that might contribute to discussions that might lead to better results for the general public.
H
Given that public capital assets are critical for the production of both private and public goods and services, assess and support how capital investment choices now can influence the quality of life for many years into the future.
I
Given that many governments, in many cases, do not have sufficient resources to do everything, discuss and justify various User Fees and Charges and their impact on government financing of certain services.
Lab Schedule
Week 1
None
Citrix
RKON
Skillsoft
Toolwire
WebServer
ACC COMAT
ACC NonCOMAT
CWP
EDUPE (MySQL)
Week 2
None
Citrix
RKON
Skillsoft
Toolwire
WebServer
ACC COMAT
ACC NonCOMAT
CWP
EDUPE (MySQL)
Week 3
None
Citrix
RKON
Skillsoft
Toolwire
WebServer
ACC COMAT
ACC NonCOMAT
CWP
EDUPE (MySQL)
Week 4
None
Citrix
RKON
Skillsoft
Toolwire
WebServer
ACC COMAT
ACC NonCOMAT
CWP
EDUPE (MySQL)
Week 5
None
Citrix
RKON
Skillsoft
Toolwire
WebServer
ACC COMAT
ACC NonCOMAT
CWP
EDUPE (MySQL)
Week 6
None
Citrix
RKON
Skillsoft
Toolwire
WebServer
ACC COMAT
ACC NonCOMAT
CWP
EDUPE (MySQL)
Week 7
None
Citrix
RKON
Skillsoft
Toolwire
WebServer
ACC COMAT
ACC NonCOMAT
CWP
EDUPE (MySQL)
Week 8
None
Citrix
RKON
Skillsoft
Toolwire
WebServer
ACC COMAT
ACC NonCOMAT
CWP
EDUPE (MySQL)
Course Schedule
| Week, TCOs, and Topics | Readings and Class Preparation | Activities and Assignments |
|---|---|---|
Week 1 TCOs A and B Basic Principles and Budget Logic | Chapter 1: Fundamental Principles of Public Finance Chapter 2: The Logic of the Budget Process | Graded Discussion Topics |
Week 2 TCOs A, B and C Budget Structures and Practices | Chapter 3: Federal Budget Structures and Institutions Chapter 4: State and Local Budgets Chapter 5: Budget Methods and Practices | Graded Discussion Topics |
Week 3 TCOs G and H Budgeting Classifications and Capital Budgeting | Chapter 6: Budget Classifications, Systems, and Reform: Trying to Make Better Choices Chapter 7: Capital Budgeting, Time Value of Money, and Cost-Benefit Analysis: Process, Structure, and Basic Tools | Graded Discussion Topics Quiz |
Week 4 TCO E Taxation Criteria and Structures | Chapter 8: Taxation: Criteria for Evaluating Revenue Options Chapter 9: Major Tax Structures: Income Taxes | Homework: Case Analysis: U.S. Budget Graded Discussion Topics |
Week 5 TCOs D and E Taxes, G & S and Property | Chapter 10: Major Tax Structures: Taxes on Goods and Services Chapter 11: Major Tax Structures: Property Taxes | Graded Discussion Topics |
Week 6 TCO I Other Revenues and Forecasting | Chapter 12: Revenue from User Fees, User Charges, and Sales by Public Monopolies Chapter 13: Revenue Forecasts, Revenue Estimates, and Tax Expenditure Budgets | Graded Discussion Topics Quiz |
Week 7 TCO F Intergovernmental Issues and Debt Management | Chapter 14: Intergovernmental Fiscal Relations: Diversity and Coordination Chapter 15: Debt Administration | Homework: Case Analysis: State or Local Budget Graded Discussion Topics |
Week 8 All TCOs | Final Exam | |
Blended E-Learning
This course is an 8-week, intensive course that includes both classroom-based and e-learning activities. Your participation in both areas is essential to your success in this course. You should expect to spend time each week participating in the prescribed activities both before and after our class meeting.
Participation before, during, and after class meetings is critical to your success in this intensive environment.
To get the most out of our weekly class meetings, it is essential that you come to class prepared. The weekly readings listed in the Course Schedule will prepare you for class. Our class meetings, in turn, will prepare you for upcoming exams and assignments.
Through the DeVry e-learning platform, you will be able to
- review the Syllabus and weekly assignment information;
- submit completed work for grading;
- take quizzes and exams;
- obtain copies of class handouts and notes;
- e-mail the instructor and other students; and
- participate in online discussion of class material.
Due Dates for Assignments & Exams
Unless otherwise specified, the following applies.
- Access to most weeks begins on Sunday at 12:01 a.m. mountain time (MT).
- All assignments are to be submitted on or before Sunday at the end of the specified week that they are due, by 11:59 p.m. (MT).
- All quizzes and exams are to be completed on or before Sunday at the end of the specified week that they open, by 11:59 p.m. (MT).
Week 8 opens at 12:01 a.m. (MT) on the ending Sunday of Week 7. Any assignments or exams must be completed by 11:59 p.m. (MT) Saturday of the eighth week.
Due Dates for Assignments & Exams
All assignments, quizzes, and exams are to be completed per the schedule indicated by your instructor.
Assignment Values and Letter Grades
The maximum score in this class is 1,000 points. The categories, which contribute to your final grade, are weighted as follows.
| Assignment | Points | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Discussions (40 Pts, Weeks 1-7) | 280 | 28% |
| Quizzes (110 Pts, Weeks 3 & 6) | 220 | 22% |
| Case Analyses (125 Pts, Weeks 4 & 7) | 250 | 25% |
| Final Exam | 250 | 25% |
| Total Points | 1,000 | 100% |
All of your course requirements are graded using points. At the end of the course, the points are converted to a letter grade using the scale in the table below.
Final grades are based on the percentage equivalent in the chart below and are not rounded to the next higher letter grade.
| Letter Grade | Points | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| A | 930–1,000 | 93% to 100% |
| A- | 900–929 | 90% to 92.9% |
| B+ | 870–899 | 87% to 89.9% |
| B | 830–869 | 83% to 86.9% |
| B- | 800–829 | 80% to 82.9% |
| C+ | 770–799 | 77% to 79.9% |
| C | 730–769 | 73% to 76.9% |
| C- | 700–729 | 70% to 72.9% |
| D+ | 670–699 | 67% to 69.9% |
| D | 630–669 | 63% to 66.9% |
| D- | 600–629 | 60% to 62.9% |
| F | 599 and below | Below 60% |
DeVry Graduate Academic Policy and Relevant Resources
DeVry Undergraduate Academic Policy and Relevant Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
When are grades calculated, and how can I view my grades?
- You must complete any quizzes and post your written assignments (if necessary) to the weekly Dropbox by Sunday 11:59 p.m. (MT) each week, except Week 8 which closes at 11:59 p.m. (MT) Saturday.
- Once your work is reviewed, you should see comments and total points for each assignment in the Gradebook. Instructors should have Discussion work graded by the following Tuesday and all other assignments by the following Friday.
- You may check your progress at any time by going to the Gradebook, selecting the week and then your name.
- Click on the points earned for each assignment in the Gradebook to see any instructor comments.
What should I do if a discrepancy is found with my grade?
- Double-check the error and try to determine what caused it.
- Send your instructor an email explaining your findings.
- Trust that any error in grading will be corrected quickly
What if I cannot get my work submitted on time?
- If you have an emergency that will cause your work to be late, please contact your instructor in advance of the due date so that arrangements can be made. Your instructor may reserve the right to deduct points for work turned in late based on the reason and the timeliness of notice.
- If a technical problem prevents you from meeting the scheduled due date, please contact the Help Desk at 1-800-594-2402 and immediately email your instructor about the situation.
How can I get extra credit?
Extra credit is not an option.
Questions and Concerns
Please feel free to contact me for help with coursework or other areas that may impact your progress. Here are some examples.
- Do you have general questions about attendance, deadlines regarding your courses, student financial aid, or other areas?
- Are you a member of the military service? Do you need to adjust your schedule due to active duty, or do you have questions about your GI Bill® benefits or have other unforeseen military and veteran-related issues that have developed?
- Do you need supplementary student assistance? Please let me know if you are having academic difficulty and would like an ADA accommodation. Although I can talk with you about getting assistance, an excellent point of contact is the Office of Student Disability Services. You can reach the Office by calling 877-496-9050, option 3, or by e-mailing adaofficer@devry.edu or adaofficer@keller.edu.
Regardless of your situation, please feel free to contact me for assistance in whatever area of concern you might have. I will do everything I can to assist you or put you in contact with University colleagues who are trained to assist you in whatever area of concern you might have.
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