TROY UNIVERSITY
MASTER SYLLABUS
SORRELL COLLEGE OF BUSINESS
ECO 4453
Public Finance
Prerequisites
ECO 2252.
Description
An analysis of the principles underlying government expenditure and taxation programs
presented from both a theoretical and a pragmatic perspective.
Purpose
To provide familiarity with public-expenditure theories and taxation techniques used by all levels
of government to finance public spending. The course combines economic theory with practical
examination of public policies. Students taking this elective should already have satisfied all of
their 3000-level core and specified-elective requirements.
Objectives
On completion of the course, the student should be able to:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Explain how public goods differ from private goods.
Explain marginal social benefits and marginal social costs.
List and describe the common components of tax receipts.
Explain the trade-off between equity and efficiency in taxation.
Define progressive, proportional, and regressive taxes.
Describe the conditions needed to achieve Pareto optimality.
Distinguish between positive and negative externalities, and discuss what government can
do to internalize each.
8. Apply the Coase theorem to an apt scenario.
9. Apply cost-benefit analysis to evaluating government programs, including social security.
10. Discuss how taxes affect personal income, corporate income, and consumption.
Master Syllabi are developed by the senior faculty in each business discipline. This Master Syllabus must be used as the basis for developing the
instructor syllabus for this course, which must also comply with the content specifications outlined in the Troy University Faculty Handbook.
The objectives included on this Master Syllabus must be included among the objectives on the instructor’s syllabus, which may expand upon the
same as the instructor sees fit. The statement of purpose seeks to position the course properly within the curriculum and should be consulted by
faculty as a source of advisement guidance. Specific choice of text and other details are further subject to Program Coordinator guidance.
19 April 2011
Master Syllabus: ECO 4453 (Revised August 2013)
2
Approved Texts
Holcombe, R. (current). Public Sector Economics: The Role of Government in the American
Economy. Prentice Hall.
Hyman, D. N. (current). Public Finance: A Contemporary Application of Theory to Policy.
Thomson/South-Western.
Rosen, H. S. (current). Public Finance. McGraw-Hill.
Supplements
As deemed appropriate.
Troy University Faculty Handbook (2010): Section 3.9.2.8 [extract] — essential elements of the syllabus (somewhat modified for space):
1. Course title
2. Course number +
section
3. Term
4. Instructor
5. Prerequisites
6. Office hours
7. Class days, times
8. Classroom
location
9. Office location +
e-mail address
10. Office telephone
11. Course
description,
objectives
12. Text(s)
13. Other materials
14. Grading methods, 16. General supports
criterion weights,
(computer works,
make-up policy,
writing center)
mid-term grade
17. Daily assignments,
reports
holidays, add/drop
15. Procedure, course
& open dates, dead
requirements
day, final exam
18. ADA statement
19. Electronic device
statement
20. Additional
services,
statements
21. Absence policy
22. Incomplete-work
policy
23. Cheating policy
24. Specialization
requirements
(certification,
licensure, teacher
competencies)