Course Information Course: SPEA-V-186 Introduction to Public Budgeting & Finance Semester: Fall 2026 Class Times: Friday, 12:00-12:50 PM Classroom: SPEA (PV) 276 Office Hours: Wednesday (4:00-6:00 PM)   Contact information Instructor: Faisal Cheema Office: A204 (SPEA) Phone: 812-391-9424 Email: fscheema@iu.edu (Preferred)

 

1. Lab description

The goal of the lab sessions is to help students work through quantitative applications of public budgeting and finance concepts. The quantitative skills covered in the labs will prove useful in other O’Neill courses.

 

2. Learning outcomes:

Students should be able to do the following at the end of this course:

1. Calculate tax liability and average tax rates.
2. Illustrate the concept of progressivity graphically.
3. Provide a quantitative illustration of the impact of deductions, credits, and income on tax liability and tax progressivity.
4. Calculate simple and compound growth rates.
5. Convert nominal dollars to real dollars and explain why the two are different.
6. Compare revenue and spending of governments differ in size as measured by population and or GDP.
7. Plot budgetary data graphically using spreadsheet and explain trends.
8. Calculate present value and future value.
9. Calculate the price of bonds.
10. Use graphs to illustrate the mathematical relationship between interest rates and value of bonds.
11. Calculate the financial ratios used to assess the financial health of an organization.
12. Solve systems of equations.
13. Derive first derivative.
14. Demonstrate understanding of exponents.

 

3. Course Materials and Communication

Teaching and Learning methods: you will have 1 weekly in-person lab session. Your understanding of the lab material will be determined via in-person quizzes.

Communication: Important announcements are distributed through canvas.  You should check your IU email and canvas regularly.

4. Course Policies

Quiz Policy:

1. Must be done in-class to receive grade.
2. Drop lowest quiz whether it is due to attendance or not.
3. No bonus/make up quizzes

Attendance Policy: 

1. Students can miss 2 classes.
2. Every absence after the second one reduces the lab-quiz grade by 1 percentage point. The maximum lab quiz grade is 14 percentage points. Therefore, someone who scores the max 14 percentage points but misses 5 classes will have their grade reduced to 11 percentage points.

The only exception to quiz/attendance policy is:

1. AES or similar requirement by IU (e.g. Title IX)
2. Dean’s absence memo from IU; see here for information:  https://studentlife.indiana.edu/care-advocacy/care-and-resource-center/attendance.html

The attendance and quiz policies are set by the school. Your lab instructor administers the policies but does not have the discretion to change them.

 

Grading: Your Grade in the lab session will be based on:

1. 7 in-lab quizzes worth 14% of your final grade in V186

How much time should you be spending on this class:  If this is a standard 3-credit semester length class, you are expected to spend an average of 6 or more hours outside of class per week on reading, studying, assignments, etc.  If this is a 6- or 8-week 3-credit class, you are expected to spend at least 12 hours outside of class per week on these activities.

                                                                 

5. MODULE I: Math Refresher

Overview: This section will provide students with a review of basic math concepts that are critical for success in V186.

Learning objectives: students should be able to do the following at the end of this Module:

1. Basic arithmetic.
2. Algebra
3. How to use excel.

  

6. MODULE II: Government Revenue sources (3 sessions)

A. Calculate income tax liability.

a. Graduated tax rate v linear tax rates

b. Average tax rates

c. Demonstrating impact of deductions, credits, income

d. Plotting average tax rates v income and discussing progressivity

B. Calculate consumption tax liability:

a. Retail sales tax

b. Value added tax (credit invoice approach).

c. Average tax rates

C. Calculate Property tax liability.

a. Nominal tax rate

b. Tax base

c. Tax liability for household

d. Effective tax rate

Overview: This section will cover calculations related to the major revenue sources available to the public and non-profit sectors.

Learning objectives: students should be able to do the following at the end of this Module:

1. Calculate tax liability and average tax rates for different kinds of taxes.
2. Illustrate the concept of progressivity graphically.
3. Provide a quantitative illustration of the impact of deductions, credits, and income on tax liability and tax progressivity.

 

7. MODULE III: Budgeting

A. Calculate growth rates.

a. Simple growth rates

b. Compound growth rates

B. Adjust for inflation (real and nominal dollars).

C. Plot budgetary data graphically and explain observed trends.

D. Calculate federal program benefits (e.g., social security payments)

Overview: This section will provide exposure to the math behind budget analysis. We will cover growth rates and adjustments for price changes.

Learning objectives: students should be able to do the following at the end of this Module:

1. Calculate simple and compound growth rates.
2. Convert nominal dollars to real dollars and explain why the two are different.

 

8. MODULE IV: Debt and deficits and unfunded liabilities

1. Calculate present value and future value.
2. Calculate the price bonds.
3. Using graphs to plot impact of interest rates on debt and debt instruments.

Overview: This section will expose students to the math behind financial analysis.

Learning objectives: students should be able to do the following at the end of this Module:

1. Calculate present value and future value.
2. Calculate the price of bonds.
3. Demonstrate the relationship between interest rates and value of bonds.

 

9. MODULE V: Financial Reporting

A. How to read government financial statements and extract data needed to calculate ratios.

B. Calculate and interpret financial ratios.

Overview: This section will introduce students to the math of financial condition analysis.

Learning objectives: students should be able to do the following at the end of this Module:

1. Calculate the financial ratios used to assess the financial health of an organization.

 

10. Table 1: Weekly Schedule

Week	Lab session topic
1	Math Refresher
2	Graded in-class quiz
3	Tax applications
4	Graded in-class quiz
5	Tax applications+
6	Graded in-class quiz
7	Fall Break
9	Graded in-class quiz
9	Solving systems of equations
11	Graded in-class quiz
11	Budget applications+
13	Graded in-class quiz
13	Time value of money applications
14	Thanksgiving
15	Graded in-class quiz
16	Financial condition applications

 

 

11. Important policies

 

A. Intellectual Inquiry and Debate.

In keeping with the University’s adoption of the Chicago Principles, this class will seek to cultivate an environment of free intellectual inquiry, debate, and constructive criticism. The instructor will guide discussions to advance the course's educational objectives, and students are encouraged to listen to one another and engage thoughtfully with differing viewpoints, even when unpopular or controversial views are expressed. The mere expression of views, words, symbols, images, or thoughts that some people find offensive does not violate free-speech norms if such expression arises for legitimate academic and/or pedagogical purposes. The class will also seek to cultivate an environment in which people can change their minds, and in which students who are uncertain or need time to formulate their thoughts can claim the space to do so.

 

B. Use of generative AI (such as ChatGPT) in this class. 

Using AI to assist in completing assignments in this class is prohibited.  If you do use AI, you will be committing plagiarism* and will be subject to penalties in this class and sanctions by Indiana University.  You are permitted to use the free version of Grammarly and Microsoft Word’s spelling and grammar tool. 

 

WARNING: Submitting any questions, assignments, notes, slides,  or other instructor-produced course materials into Generative AI without permission is a violation of the faculty member’s exclusive rights and will be reported to the Dean of Students as academic misconduct.

 

*Plagiarism: Plagiarism is defined as presenting someone else’s work, including the work of other students, as one’s own. Any ideas or materials taken from another source for either written or oral use must be fully acknowledged, unless the information is common knowledge. https://studentcode.iu.edu/responsibilities/academic-misconduct.html. (emphasis added)

 

C. Course Materials—Instructor’s Exclusive Rights.

 

The faculty member teaching this course holds the exclusive right to distribute, modify, post, and reproduce course materials, including all written materials, study guides, lectures, assignments, exercises, and exams. While you are permitted to take notes on the online materials and lectures posted for this course for your personal use, you are not permitted to re-post in another forum, upload to AI, distribute, reproduce content from this course, or sell the instructor’s course materials (including notes and study guides) without the express written permission of the faculty member.

 

Violations of this policy will be reported to the Dean of Students as academic misconduct (violation of course rules). Sanctions for academic misconduct may include a failing grade on the assignment for which the notes/study guides are being sold, a reduction in your final course grade, or a failing grade in the course, among other possibilities.

 

Additionally, you should know that selling a faculty member’s course using IU email, or via Canvas may also constitute a violation of IU information technology and IU intellectual property policies; additional consequences may result.

 

12. O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs Student Honor Code

 

A. Introduction

The O’Neill School takes matters of honesty and integrity seriously.  We expect O’Neill students will, at all times, maintain academic integrity and civil and professional standards of conduct.

B. Scope

O’Neill’s Student Honor Code applies to all courses and programs offered by O’Neill, and to all students who participate in O’Neill classes and programs, regardless of whether students are admitted to O’Neill. Students studying at O’Neill areexpected to continue their commitment to ethical behavior in all their endeavors, including, but not limited to, coursework inside and outside of O’Neill, internships, community service, and overseas study.

 

O’Neill’s Student Honor Code incorporates IU’s Code of Student Right, Responsibilities, & Conduct and extends to matters ofcivility and professional conduct, including, expectations about class attendance, punctuality, participation in class, and decorum in class and at other school functions.

C. Academic Conduct Requirements  

All students enrolled in O’Neill courses are subject to the academic misconduct provisions found in the IU Code of Student Rights, Responsibilities, & Conduct.  

Academic misconduct is defined as any activity that tends to undermine the academic integrity of the institution.

The IU Code of Student Rights, Responsibilities, & Conduct lists and defines many types of academic misconduct, including cheating, fabrication, plagiarism, interference, violation of course rules, and facilitating academic dishonesty.   

Academic misconduct includes the use of any technology or assistance, including AI, that is not permitted by the instructor.

 

D. Civility and Professional Conduct Requirements

O’Neill requires that all students treat others with mutual respect and behave professionally in the classroom and during all academic and non-academic activities.

 

These civility and professional conduct requirements foster an appropriate atmosphere inside and outside the classroom:

• Students must act in accordance with the O’Neill School mission and values.
• Students must regularly attend and be fully prepared for class, including completing readings.
• Students must not behave in a way that interrupts or distracts from teaching or learning. For example, studentsmust be punctual in their arrival to class and be present and attentive for the duration of the class. They must not sleep, do work for another class, or wander in and out of the classroom, pack up, or leave class early (unless an emergency exists).
• Students must abide by the course policy regarding use of electronic devices in the classroom, including a requirement that no electronics are allowed or that students are not permitted to use devices for non-class related purposes.
• Students must responsibly participate in class activities and during team meetings for course assignments.
• Students must attend scheduled meetings with faculty or staff, events for which they have RSVPed, interviews with prospective employers, and student organization meetings.  
• Students must address faculty members, other students, and others appropriately and with respect,whether in person, in writing, or in electronic communications.
• Students must show tolerance and respect for others.
• Students must practice respect and responsible stewardship of the physical resources of the school, refraining from destroying or defacing school property, integrating practices of sustainability, and contributing to a clean and orderly physical environment in all buildings, classrooms, offices, and meeting spaces.   
• Students must comply with the personal misconduct responsibilities within the IU Code of Student Rights, Responsibilities, & Conduct.

E. Reporting 

Students must abide by the O’Neill Student Honor Code themselves and hold their peers to the same standards. Students should report suspected instances of academic, civility, or professional misconduct to the instructor of the course. Students should report suspected instances of personal misconduct to the IU Office of Student Conduct.

 

13. Student support services

A. Counseling and Psychological Services

For information about services offered to students by CAPS:  http://healthcenter.indiana.edu/counseling/index.shtml

B. TimelyCare

Indiana students have free, 24/7 access to virtual mental health care services with TimelyCare. Students do not need insurance to access TimelyCare services. https://www.iu.edu/mental-health/find-resources/timely-care.html#0

C. Religious Accommodation Requests

The "Request for Accommodation for Religious Observances" form must be submitted by the student to the professor no later than two weeks prior to the anticipated absence.  A separate form must be submitted for each absence and for each course. Faculty do not have to consider accommodations for the purpose of allowing students to travel away from Bloomington for religious observance.  Information about the policy is found here: https://vpfaa.indiana.edu/resources/religious-observances-information.html.

D. Accessible Educational Services (formerly Disability Services for Students) 

Securing accommodations for a student with disabilities is a responsibility shared by the student, the instructor, and the AES Office. For information about support services or accommodations available to students with disabilities, and for the procedures to be followed by students and instructors: https://studentlife.indiana.edu/care-advocacy/iub-aes/index.html  

E. Sexual Harassment 

As your instructor, one of my responsibilities is to help create a safe learning environment on our campus. Title IX and our own Sexual Misconduct policy prohibit sexual misconduct.  If you have experienced sexual misconduct, or know someone who has, the University can help.

 

If you are seeking help and would like to talk to someone confidentially, you can make an appointment with:

1. The Sexual Assault Crisis Service (SACS) at 812-855-8900
2. Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) at 812-855-5711
3. Confidential Victim Advocates (CVA) at 812-856-2469
4. IU Health Center at 812-855-4011

 

For more information about available resources:  http://stopsexualviolence.iu.edu/help/index.html. It is also important to know that federal regulations and University policy require me to promptly convey any information about potential sexual misconduct known to me to our campus’ Deputy Title IX Coordinator or IU’s Title IX Coordinator.  In that event, they will work with a small number of others on campus to ensure that appropriate measures are taken and resources are made available to the student who may have been harmed.  Protecting a student’s privacy is of utmost concern, and all involved will only share information with those that need to know to ensure the University can respond and assist.  I encourage you to visit http://stopsexualviolence.iu.edu/help/index.html to learn more.

F. IU Culture Centers:

https://studentlife.indiana.edu/communities/culture-centers/index.html