Bringing the Real World to the Classroom: Addressing the National Debt in an Introductory Federal Taxation Class

• In Event: Reception with Effective Learning Strategies Posters Session

Abstract

The U.S. national debt is reaching ever-increasing, unsustainable levels. As noted by the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, the public de9bt is projected to reach 100% of the Gross Domestic Product by 2035 and to reach 150% of the Gross Domestic Product by 2050 (Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget 2016). In 2015 alone, legislation was passed that will add nearly $1.2 trillion to the national debt over the next 10 years (Campaign to Fix the Debt 2016). This issue is one that is not going away and does not need to be ignored. As suggested at the 2015 AAA Southeast Regional Meeting, one way to bring attention to this important issue is to address it in our classrooms as accounting instructors. In response to this suggestion, I have incorporated an increased look at the national debt and related issues into the early portion of my introductory Federal Taxation class, with encouraging feedback from students.

Author

• Mary E. Howard, Tennessee Tech University