Minnesota State University, Mankato

URSI 651, Urban Finance Systems  Spring 2006

Urban & Regional Studies Institute

 Thursday 2_4:45 p.m..

This syllabus is subject to change without notice. Contact the professor for most recent changes

 

Instructor:

Dr. “J” Cherrington, 104b Morris Hall   Fax:  (507) 389-6377 (Mark Attn: Dr. “J”)

Office Phone: 389-5031                                                               E-mail: janet.cherrington@mnsu.edu

Office Hours:  These are posted on my office door or on my website.

                                                                                                       www.intech.mnsu.edu/cherrington

Texts/etc.:

Required:  

Class Packet for URBS 651 (availability announced 1st class)

Bland, Robert L. and Rubin, Irene S.. Budgeting: A Guide for Local Governments, 1997, International City/County Management Assn.

Ruled accounting paper (2-column and 8-column) available in bookstore.

Large 3-ring binder.

 

Course Goal:

 

This course is designed for both practitioners as well as for students of urban and regional planning, city management, and the nonprofit sector.  Extensive emphasis is placed on sound financial management that starts with basic double-entry and fund accounting, then builds on fiscal reporting Government Finance Officers Assn (GSOA) standards, and finishes with accurate revenue/expense budget forecasting.  Governmental numerical system (or chart-of-accounts) for classifying financial transactions, based on Nat’l Manual on Acctg.standards and Mn State Auditors Office will applied in field project assignments.

 

Student Learning Outcomes:  By the end of the course, you will be able to:

  1. Apply basic accounting principles.
  2. Apply Fund accounting principles.
  3. Classify financial transaction by Fund, Account group prefix numbers using a GAFR Chart of Accounts classification system.
  4. Understand fiscal reporting, e.g., the difference between a Balance Sheet and an Income Statement and what each tells for private as well as not-for-profits..
  5. Understand principles of GASB accounting.
  6. Understand the budget design, preparation and adoption process.
  7. Understand budgeting as a policy making and management tool.
  8. Understand alternative approaches to budgeting, their advantages and disadvantages.
  9. Understand the interrelationship of budgeting, strategic planning, and MN chart of accounts.
  10. Understand approaches to capital improvement, financing options and legal compliance.
  11. Use presentation software in ways to present technical information that nonspecialists can comprehend.

 

Personal Skill Development Goals:  In addition to the specific course outcomes, there are 4 additional goals that are most common to all other URSI graduate courses at MSU.  They are:

·        to develop your creative and critical thinking powers in addressing problems and opportunities.

·        to develop your personal communication skills, both written and oral.

·        to improve your ability to work and interact with others in a team approach.

·        to improve your understanding and use of technology.

 

Instructional Methodology & Teaching Strategies:  A variety of techniques will be used throughout the semester including small group discussions, lecture, guest speakers, and student presentations.  Local government practitioner guest speakers, coupled with applied analysis, will provide a comprehensive approach for developing the skills necessary to understand urban finance systems.  My teaching style is based on an “adult centered” model wherein students are active participants responsible for their own learning.  I act as a facilitator and a resource to engage you in a meaningful academic experience. 

 

Instructor Policies: 

All written assignments must be prepared in duplicate and typewritten (unless ruled accounting paper is otherwise noted). One copy should be submitted at the start of class, the other should remain with you to refer to during class discussion. (and turn in at end of class).  Staple multiple pages together and consecutively number them.  Each page should have your name, section no., assignment description, and date submitted in the upper right corner.  Keep your returned copies in your course notebook with your original submission.   Calculators may be used for computation in-class and during examinations.

 

Late Assignments will not be accepted (unless prior arrangements have been made with the instructor) and may  be subject to a point reduction.   Should an emergency arise, email or fax your written assignment (to my email address on page 1) before the start of class to receive credit.  Note:  Any email attachments need to be in PC (not Macintosh) platform.

 

American Disabilities Act (ADA)

ADA requires that the university provide services for persons with disabilities.  For more information regarding the services that are available to you, please contact the MSU Disability Services Office at (507) 389-2825 (V) or 1-800-627-3529 (MRS/TTY).  If you are a person with a disability, please discuss you special needs with this instructor within the first week of class.  This will allow you and the instructor ample opportunities to make arrangement for taking notes, completion of assignments, and examinations.

 

Other Policies:  When cell phones and beepers go off in class they are very distracting to others.  Please turn off your cell phones and beepers during class time or if possible put them on vibration mode.  Thank you.

 

Course Requirements:

Students will be expected to have read, thought about, and prepared the assigned materials and case studies.  Students are expected to engage in discussion on these.  In order to build your oral presentation and facilitation skills, students will be asked to prepare a PowerPoint presentation(s) and lead a class discussion on a topic(s) to be announced.  Students will be assessed on comprehension of reading /lecture information, completion of course exams/projects, attendance and class participation.

 

Attendance, class participation, quizzes, guest speakers:

Students are required to attend classes and participate on a regular basis in class or group discussions.  Points will be given (or deducted) for each class attended.   If you plan to be absent, please communicate the reason for your absence to the instructor beforehand.   You may be tested on material covered in class that is not in the textbook(s).  It is the student’s responsibility to obtain notes for missed classes from another student (not the instructor).  We will circulate a class list with names, phone nos., and email addresses; be sure you get a copy.

Quizzes will be given at the instructor’s discretion. 

Students should prepare three type-written questions when a guest speaker is scheduled (or announced in advance) and submit them before the start of class on the appropriate weeks.  (Be sure your name is on questions.)  On the prior week, the instructor will provide you with background information on the guest speaker to help you develop relevant questions. (10 pts.)

 

 

Class Led Presentations:

Meaningful group discussion provides an opportunity to not only express ideas but to think in terms of the dynamics of their expression and to develop a broader perspective of knowing.  Many of us don’t really know what we are thinking until we hear ourselves say it aloud.  Bottom line—it’s an excellent learning experience.  A portion of some classes will be devoted to a student class led PowerPoint presentation. It is important that you focus on the learning outcomes of the assigned readings.  Outside sources and “real-world” correlations can greatly to expand presentations of your topic.  You should email the instructor your completed PPt by Tuesday (noon) of the week you are to present.  Email transmission time will be noted and there will be a point reduction for late (or incomplete) submissions.  (15 points).  The instructor will return a “received” acknowledgement—if you don’t receive one, resend, requesting “delivery” verification.

 

 

URBS 651 Urban Finance

Weekly Course/Reading Assignment Guide

(To be announced in class)