American State and Local Politics
PolS 102
Instructor: Dr. Jocelyn Parkhurst
Office:
Office Hours:
Email:
Course Description and Objectives
In this
course, students will delve into the area of American Politics in which they
have the greatest ability to affect change: state and local politics. While
the national government in Washington, DC often makes laws and regulations that
affect the entire population, it is at the state and local level where these
laws are most often applied. In addition, state and local politics have a life
of their own, their own legitimacy given “by the people,” that insures state
politics addresses state’s needs. Citizens are much more likely to affect
change closer to home than at the national level. We will explore the
interactions of individuals, groups, bureaucracies, businesses, and the
environment with government and the ever changing aspects of power: what is it,
who has it, who wants, how it’s acquired, and how it’s used.
This course is an introductory survey of the
administration, politics, and organization of government at the sub-national
level, including city, county, special district, and state governments. A brief
introduction to the basics
of the policy-making process is provided. Through the analysis of real
local and state issues developing today, we will gain a better understanding of
the political world around us.
Course Requirements
Class discussions are an integral part of the course and participation is expected. We will also have class discussions online on WarriorMail that will be equally important. Students will also have a take-home midterm and final exam. Four modules reflecting the integration of classroom knowledge and internet sources will be presented on an online platform in the form of short essays (4 fully developed paragraphs) based on prompts provided by the instructor with in-class discussions reflecting this information. Students then will choose one of these four modules to expand into a 6 page paper. Students will arrange with the instructor draft and final paper due dates. Students will also have 2 out of the classroom interactive activities with a short 2 page write up. The final grade breakdown is as follows:
Midterm 15%
Final 15%
Paper 15%
Modules 20%
Activities 15%
Class Participation/Online Participation 20%
Required Text and Readings
There are multiple aspects to the readings for this course. It is expected that the readings from the texts and/or other sources will be completed prior to the class date for which it is assigned, enabling the students and instructor to enter into discussions reflecting information gleaned from the texts. In addition, students are expected to read a local newspaper or watch/listen to a local TV/radio news broadcast. Local current events will be an integral part of the classroom discussions, modules, presentations, and exams. In addition to the text below, the instructor may add readings to the WarriorMail system for students to read.
Text:
Required:
Cox, George H., and Raymond A. Rosenfeld. 2001. State and Local Government: Public Life in America. Belmont: Wadsworth.
Expectations:
The instructor does not tend to allow changes in exam due dates. If unforeseen circumstances deemed applicable by the instructor necessitate an extension for an individual student, the student must inform the instructor before the exam due date. Late papers, modules, etc., will be deducted 10% after the first day and an additional 10% for each subsequent week late. Students may miss one class without consequences. Subsequent absences will affect the student’s participation grade as the student won’t be present to participate.
Academic Misconduct
Plagiarism and cheating of any kind will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted according to university policy. Don’t do it. This means students should be sure not only not to use other people’s work, but when writing a paper, be sure to cite any information that is not your own thoughts or well known information, whether it is a quote or summarized information.
Disability Accommodation
Reasonable accommodations are available for students who have a documented disability. Please notify the instructor during the first week of the course of any accommodations needed for the course. Accommodations will be made according to university policy.
Course Outline
I. Introduction: What’s so good about state/local politics
8/28 Introduction to the course
8/30 & 9/6 Society and Government: Cox and Rosenfeld, Chap. 1 (9/4 labor day holiday).
9/11 & 9/13 Shared powers between National and State government: Cox and Rosenfeld, Chap. 2. Module #1 due online before class Wed.
II. Policy Making at the State Level
9/18 & 9/20 Who’s who in state politics: Cox and Rosenfeld, Chap. 3.
9/25 & 9/27 Policymaking and the legislative body: Cox and Rosenfeld, Chap. 4.
10/2 & 10/4 The executive of the state: Cox and Rosenfeld, Chap. 5. Module #2 due online before class Wed.
10/9 & 10/11 The bureaucracy of service delivery and regulators: Cox and Rosenfeld, Chpt 6. Activity Report #1 due Mon. Take Home Midterm Handed Out Wed.
10/16 & 10/18 Crime, justice, and the state courts: Cox and Rosenfeld, Chap. 7.
III. Governance and Political Action Locally
10/23 & 10/25 Politics in our communities: Cox and Rosenfeld, Chap. 8. Take-Home Midterm Due Mon.
10/30 & 11/1 Influencing change through voter participation: Cox and Rosenfeld, Chap. 9. Module #3 due online before class Wed.
11/6 & 11/8 Understanding local government: Cox and Rosenfeld, Chap. 10.
11/13 & 11/15 County government and divided interests: Cox and Rosenfeld, Chap. 11. Module #4 due online before class Wed.
11/20 & 11/22 Thanksgiving Break—No classes
11/27 & 11/29 Metropolitan governance and multiple levels of government: Cox and Rosenfeld, Chap. 12.
12/4 & 12/6 Decision making in your own backyard: Cox and Rosenfeld, Chap. 13. Activity Report #2 due Mon.
12/11 & 12/13 Class simulation
12/18 Take home final exam due in my office by 3:00 p.m.