State and Local Government

POLS 3212

 

Dr. Joseph Corrado A&S 110P

Clayton State University voicemail: 678-466-4803

Spring 2006 JoeCorrado@clayton.edu

Spring office hours: M-W 3:00-4:30 p.m., Tues/Thurs 9-10:30 am. And 2-3 p.m.

Course Description: State and local Government provides an in-depth study of the political process and administrative procedures used in American state and local governments to address social, economic, and political issues. This course will address federalism in the United States, the history of state and local government, and some of the basics of governmental structures and processes of states. We will also address important policies such as welfare reform and education. Further, we will run a simulation of local government addressing a political problem.

Required Texts:

Reading and Cases in State and Local Politics edited by Richard A. Clucas. 2006. New York: Houghton & Mifflin Company. ISBN: 0-618-37132-X.

Ehrenreich, Barbara. 2001. Nickled and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America. New York: Metropolitan Books. ISBN: 0-965-18770-5.

Woodworth, James R., W Robert Gump, & James R. Forrester. 2006. Camelot: A Role Playing Simulation of Political Decision Making 5th Edition. Thompson Wadsworth. ISBN: 0-534-60379-7.

Course Requirement:

The major form of communication between the instructor and the students outside of the classroom will be by CSU email. Go to: http://thehub.clayton.edu and click "service" for information on configuring your laptop computer to comply with IT requirements. It is necessary for you have your computer configured to access CSU email. You will need to take your computer to the HUB, which is located on the ground level of the University Center. Please have your computer configured and set up for CSU email as soon as possible. You can also contact the HUB at 770-960-4357.

You will only need to bring your computer to class on occasions when you need it for power point presentations.

Attendance: You are expected to come to class regularly. If you have to miss class it is your responsibility to contact another student to see what is missed. Please do not ask the instructor "what did I miss today?" You should make a "buddy" in class that you can rely for notes if you must miss class.

 

Students must abide by policies in the CSU Catalog & Student Handbook.

Click on this link  to read the Clayton State University
 Basic Undergraduate Student Responsibilities Statement.

Weather: Tune to WSB AM radio for school closings information.

Children are NOT permitted in any CSU classroom under any circumstances, nor may they be left unattended anywhere on the campus.

CHEATING ON TESTS OR EXAMINATIONS WILL NOT BE TOLERATED, AND WILL RESULT IN A ZERO.

PLEASE NO EATING, DRINKING, BEEPERS OR CELL PHONES USED IN THE CLASSROOM

The instructor and students will treat each other with the proper respect at all times.

Disabilities: For information about Disability Services or to obtain this document in an alternative format, contact the Disabilities Coordinator, Student Center, Room 210 - ADA/504 Compliance Officer at.770-961-3719 or disabilityservices@mail.clayton.edu

Semi-Daily Brief: Current events will occassionally be discussed at the beginning of class. Read a major daily newspaper, or NEWSWEEK, TIME or U.S. NEWS AND WORLD REPORT. Watch a daily national network news program on ABC, CBS, NBC, PBS or CNN, and/or listen to NATIONAL PUBLIC RADIO (6:00 - 9:00 a.m., and 4:00 - 6:30 p.m.) on WABE FM 90.1. You can subscribe to the New York Times online for free by going to www.nytimes.com and creating a password for yourself For local news you should sign up for a free online account with the Atlanta Journal Constitution. www.ajc.com

Grading:

There are 550 total points.

A = 550 - 501 - 50 point range

B = 500 - 451 - 50 point range

C = 450 - 401 - 50 point range

D = 400 - 351 - 50 point range

F = 350 or less

Grade Breakdown and Major Assignments.

Exams: There will be 3 non-cumulative essay exams worth 100 points each. They will cover the readings, films, and class material up until that date.

Policy/Interest group paper: (100 points) Each student will write a 3-4 page typed (12 font) and double spaced paper. Students should choose a topic of interest that has opposing viewpoints and interests behind it that is currently going on in state and local government. Possible topics include: education reform, medical marijuana, same sex marriage, stadium proposals, legalized gambling, etc. In the paper the policy should be described in terms of pro’s and cons. You also need to discuss the various interest groups lined up on both sides as well as the power of these groups. Here are some websites that you may want to look at for ideas. www.nga.org, http://www.usc.edu/schools/annenberg/asc/projects/soin , www.uspirg.org/ www.privitization.org/ http://usmayors.org, http://urbaninstitute.org/, http://www.1.umn.edu/irp/zaboutirp.html, http://www.ed.gov

Each paper should be include citations according to MLA guidelines. If you do not know these guidelines go to the library and learn them.

Late papers will be graded down on a sliding scale.

 

Reaction Papers: (50 points). There will be two reaction papers on the Ehrenreich book. A handout with tips on how to write a reaction paper will be handed out ahead of this assignment.

Late Reaction Papers will not be accepted.

Participation/Attendance: (100 points) As this will be a relatively small class. You will be expected to come to class regularly and participate. Included in this portion of your grade will be your presentation on your policy paper, and your performance in the simulation at the end of the course.

Course Expectations:
1. Attend all class lectures and discussions;
2. Complete all assigned course work;;
3. Earn a total number of points equal to a passing course grade.

Make-up Exam Policy: One, and only one, exam can be made up on the day of final exams. This test will take place immediately after you finish your final exam. Because you have had extra time to study for this test it may be docked one full letter grade or 10 points.

Political Science Program Outcomes: (Program outcomes will be assessed in all

examinations and scored assignments.)

1. Understand the structure and perspective of Political Science;

2. Understand the research processes of Political Science;

3. Understand the institutions of government and politics at the local, state, national and international levels;

4. Understand alternative political systems;

5. Demonstrate effective written communication skills;

6. Demonstrate the ability to analyze data and textual materials and think critically.

 

Regents Testing: The University System of Georgia requires that each student receiving a degree must have successfully demonstrated competence in reading comprehension and writing by passing two courses:  Regents Writing Skills RGTE 0199 and Regents’ -Reading Skills RGTE 0198.  Students satisfy these course requirements through examination.  The University System of Georgia Regents Tests are administered each semester by the CSU Testing Center. Testing dates and registration procedures are listed each semester in the Class Schedule on the DUCK. Please contact your academic advisor or the Testing Center for more information.  

Extra Credit Possibility: Write a two page typed (12 font) paper based on the major points of the two Lyceum lectures. Each paper would be worth up to 25 points. The first lecture is on Wednesday January 18 at 7:30 p.m. in Spivey Hall. Julian Bond is speaking on the topic of "Is There an American Dream Today?". On Tuesday Feb. 14 the 2nd Lyceum Lecture: Robin Wright " The Current Situation in the Middle East" noon-1:20 p.m. UC 272. (or possibly G132) Your paper should include your analysis of what you thought of the speaker in your conclusion. If you are unable to attend the lecture a recording of the lecture will be available at the front desk of the library. These papers must be handed in by Tuesday April 25.

Course Outline

Note that this syllabus is subject to revision at the instructors discretion in order to facilitate the educational process.

Jan. 10: Introduction to course. Critical thinking exercise.

Jan. 12: Prior knowledge quiz and discussion.

Jan. 17: Historical Origins of Federalism.

Jan 19: Modern Federalism. Recent Developments.

Reading: Clucas 54-77.

Jan. 24-26: Political Culture and sub-cultures.

Reading: Clucas 27-52. Film on Lousiana political culture.

Jan. 31-Feb. 2: The rise and fall of political machines.

Feb. 7: Review for exam.

Feb. 9: First Essay exam.

Feb.14-Feb. 16. State Constitutions and Participation.
Clucas chapters 4&5 entire, Woodworth chapter 6.

Feb. 21: Interest Groups. Students will need to have chosen and be ready to discuss there policy choice topic in class.

Clucas chapter 7, Woodworth chapter 5.

Feb. 23: Contemporary Issue 1: Welfare Reform.

Reading: Clucas Chapter 16 and Ehrenreich introduction (1-10).

Feb. 27: Not Getting By in America?
Reading Ehrenreich "Serving in Florida" (11-49)

First Reaction paper due (2-3 pages).

Feb. 28: Working at Wal-Mart. Film: Wal-Mart is it Good or Bad for America.

March 2: Evaluation of Welfare Reform.
Ehrenreich "Selling in Minnesota" (121-191) and "Evaluation"(193-221)

Second Reaction paper due. (2-3 pages)

March 7-9 No Class Spring Break.

March 14: Contemporary Issue 2: Education Reform.

Clucas chapter 15.

March 16: Film No Place to Be Smart.

March 21: 2nd Essay Exam.

March 23: Contemporary Issue 3; Privatization.

Clucas chapter 10

March 28-March 30: Reform measures.

Clucas chapters 12& 13.

April 4& 6: Policy and interest group papers due. Presentations.

April 11: State Courts and Same-sex marriage.

Clucas Chapter 11.

April 13: Localities and Money.
Clucas chapter 14 and Woodworth chapter 4.

April 18: Introduction to simulation: First issue and roles chosen.

Woodworth chapters 10-11.

April 20-25: First simulation.

April 27: Finish simulation/wrap-up.

May 3-8: 3rd /Final Exam.