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Public Sector Budgeting | Public Budget Decision Making (Module One) | Budget Analysis (Module Two) | Public Revenue Sources (Module Three) | Best Practices in Public Budgeting (Module Four) | Website Analysis Project | Contact Us | Site Map

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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:

  • Express and interpret ideas clearly, using a variety of written, oral and/or visual forms
  • Integrate ones own ideas with those of others to address an issue.
  • 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.

  • Explain and employ the ethics associated with public administration.
  • Provide effective leadership in the administration of public affairs.
  • 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.
  • 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:

  • Explain budgetary theory and practice
  • Evaluate the role politics plays in the shaping of budget outcomes
  • Discuss how the budget functions as a management tool
  • Illustrate the impact of executive-legislative conflict on budgets
  • Explain the role and function of budgetary systems
  • 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.

 

Disclaimer

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