Syllabus
Public Finance

This course examines issues central to the majority of the most pressing issues in public affairs: markets outcomes, government expenditure programs, and taxation. We will examine the major strengths and weaknesses of the market and explore why government involvement is necessary. We will examine the models welfare economists use to describe optimal patterns of government expenditure and taxation. We will then use the models to analyze real-world problems and programs. In doing so, we will use both efficiency and equity criteria to evaluate many policies and policy proposals.

Harvey Rosen, Public Finance , 6^th edition.

Arthur M. Okun, Equality and Efficiency : The Big Tradeoff

Samuel Baker & Catherine Elliott, Readings in Public Finance, 2^nd edition.

Final grades will reflect student performance on two midterm exams, three presentations, homework, a book review, and a final exam. Exams will be given on the days indicated in the class schedule. Scores will be weighed on the following basis:

First Midterm:           20%

Second Midterm:       20%

Presentations (3):      15%

Book Review:             15%

Homework:                  5%

Final Exam:              25%

Attendance and class participation will be considered in borderline cases.

Exams

There will be three exams. Exams will include essay and problem-solving questions.  Each exam will cover material covered in that unit in lectures, texts, and presentations.  The final exam will also include some comprehensive material.  This comprehensive material will emphasize topics critically important to the field of public finance as well as topics from prior exams over which the students have not yet demonstrated mastery.

Book Review

Students are to read Arthur M. Okun's Equality and Efficiency : The Big Tradeoff and write a four-to-five-page essay on  the book.  The essay should be typewritten, double-spaced, and include proper citations. Roughly half of the essay should be a synopsis of the book. Grades will reflect content, grammar, and composition.

Homework

Homework will consist of practice problems.  The purpose of homework is to help students prepare for exams.  Students should not expect to do well on exams unless they have first mastered the homework assignments.  Students may collaborate on homework in groups as large as four.  However, all collaborations must be made explicit and a single homework should be handed in for each collaborative group.  Each person in a group must fully understand the entire homework and the answers submitted.  Submitting homework on behalf of a group member who does not understand its content will be considered an act cheating by the entire group.  Note the cheating policy below. 

Presentations

Each student, as part of a team of 2 or 3 students, will be responsible for 3 presentations over the course of the semester.  Each presentation will be around 15 minutes and will cover one of the articles from Readings in Public Finance. Grades will reflect the presentation themselves as well as other materials—such as outlines, discussion topics, and peer evaluations—handed in by the student.

Course Policies

Technology:  All cell phones should be turned off when entering class.  For tests, only simple calculators will be allowed.  Graphing calculators, programmable calculators, and cell phones will not be allowed.  Permission must be obtained from the instructor before using any recording device in class.  Violation of this policy may be considered an act of cheating or plagiarism (see below).Absentee Policy: Attendance is required.  A seating chart will be made and attendance will be taken throughout the course. 

Plagiarism and Cheating Policy:  All members of the University community share the responsibility and authority to challenge and make known acts of apparent academic dishonesty. Any student detected participating in any form of academic dishonesty will be subject to sanctions as described in the Student Academic Integrity Policies and Procedures, http://www.missouristate.edu/acadaff/AcademicIntegrity.html, also available at the Reserves Desk in Meyer Library, and in abbreviated form in the Missouri State Undergraduate Catalog.  Possible sanctions include issuing an "XF" for a semester grade.  It is your responsibility to read and fully understand Missouri State's Student Academic Integrity Policies and Procedures.

At a minimum, anyone caught plagiarizing or cheating will automatically receive a zero for the assignment. This zero will automatically be averaged into the semester's final score without any possibility of it being dropped, made-up, or weighted less.   Cheating and plagiarism include a variety of activities. If in doubt, ask me.

Makeup Policy:  There will be NO make-up or early exams without an official, WRITTEN excuse. With a valid excuse, students will be allowed to take the exam on or before the day for which it was scheduled. After that day, the exam can be made-up only by taking an exam different than the one given in class.  Students hoping to take a makeup exam should contact me immediately.  The exam will be scheduled for the earliest time that is mutually workable. Students who do not make up their exam promptly will not be allowed to take it at all.

Appeals Policy:  All appeals must be WRITTEN. If you believe that you deserve partial credit, or want me to re-grade in any other way, give me a written request within two weeks after the assignment or test has been handed back in class. The appeal should explain why you think your answer was "correct" and deserves partial or full credit.

Disability Accommodation:  Missouri State makes reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities. Students requiring assistance should contact me during the first few days of class.

Nondiscrimination Policy:  Missouri State is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action institution. Any inquiries should be directed to the Affirmative Action Office, Carrington 128, 836-4252.