Find a School that teaches Public Sector Budgeting
Course Description
This
course examines the theory and practice of budgeting in the public setting. The
budget itself has evolved from a simple line item budget to complex performance
systems that attempt to provide relevant information for decisions. Budgetary
practice now includes utilizing the budget as a strategic planning document. The
budget has become a complicated process characterized by a struggle for
resources between various interest groups. Therefore, the public policy and
politics of the process and proposed reforms are examined in this course.
Learning Outcomes & Competencies
University Outcomes:
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Express and interpret ideas clearly, using
a variety of written, oral and/or visual forms
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Integrate ones own ideas with those of
others to address an issue.
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Articulate and evaluate the reasons and
justifications that support particular values
Major
Outcomes:
Discuss
the relationship that exists between the political arena and public
administration.
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Explain and employ the ethics associated
with public administration.
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Provide effective leadership in the
administration of public affairs.
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Appraise the significant causes of
expansion within the public sector and the resulting proliferation of laws,
rules, regulations, and problems associated with effective change in that
environment.
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Communicate effectively and express
complex ideas, both orally and in writing.
Course Specific Outcomes:
At the
conclusion of this course, the learner should be able to:
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Explain budgetary theory and practice
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Evaluate the role politics plays in the
shaping of budget outcomes
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Discuss how the budget functions as a
management tool
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Illustrate the impact of
executive-legislative conflict on budgets
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Explain the role and function of budgetary
systems
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Identify the relationship between
budgeting, planning and systems of control
Readings & Resources
Required Texts:
1. Smith, R. and Lynch, T. (2003) Public Budgeting in America (5th
Edition),
Prentice Hall, NJ, ISBN-10: 0130979937
2.
Best Practices in Public Budgeting
(Available on the Web)
This course is
organized into four modules of instruction: Public Budget Decision Making;
Budget Analysis; Public Revenue Sources; and, Best Practices in Public
Budgeting. In this eight week session, each module is two weeks in length. A
course calendar is attached as the last page. Each module includes specific
activities and assignments. Further explanation of the various assignments and
expectations follows the module outline.
Expanded
Descriptions of Assignments
Discussion Questions
Prepare a one or two
page response to each of the discussion questions. Some of the questions have
multiple points that you should consider and cover in your response.
Best Practices
Evaluations
Each Principle on the
Best Practices in Public Budgeting website has multiple Elements. Each Element
contains multiple Practices. Each Practice contains examples of that Practice
being used by government agencies. Within the Element, compare two of the
examples of a Practice of an agency. Your paper should be three to five pages
in length and in an academic format. You do not need to do independent
research, but you should include citations from the text book. Superior work
will incorporate readings from the text book and the web-based document into the
analysis.
Website Analysis
Conduct an analysis of
the websites (they are linked from the course website). Your analysis should be
two paragraphs for each site. In the first paragraph describe the website and
in the second paragraph describe its relevance to the public budget process.
Participation/Attendance/Interaction
Participation and
attendance are not an issue in the tutorial version of this course.
Evaluation
Discussion
Questions 50%
Best Practice
Evaluations 40%
Website
Analysis
10%
Semester
Total
100%
Final Deadline
for all work
All course work is due
at the start of class in the week indicated on schedule. Absent prior
permission, late assignments will be assessed a penalty of one letter grade per
week. For information concerning the completion of course work beyond the last
day of class refer to the UI&U Catalog.
Ethical Conduct
Learners should be
aware that there are severe consequences for violations of academic ethical
conduct. Primarily, we are concerned with cheating and plagiarism. Learners who
are determined to have cheated or committed plagiarism will face disciplinary
action as identified within UI&U regulations. For additional clarification of
cheating and/or plagiarism, refer to the UI&U Catalog for policies regarding
Academic Integrity. Moreover, submission of the same paper, or a paper that is
judged to be similar from one course to this course is unacceptable conduct.
American with
Disabilities Act Compliance
Please refer to the
Catalog for policies regarding American Disabilities Act or
http://www.tui.edu/ASN/serv_learner_disab/default.asp for further assistance
regarding UI&U compliance with ADA.
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