COURSE REQUIREMENT: Access to communication between the instructor and students will require use of CSU email: 
The instructor will only respond to CSU email messages from students. Go to: http://thehub.clayton.edu and click "Service" for
information on configuring your laptop computer to comply with CSU IT requirements. You MUST have your laptop computer
configured to access CSU email. You will need to take your laptop computer to The HUB, located on the ground level of the
University Center. You should have your computer configured and set up for CSU email BEFORE classes begin, or as soon as
possible there after. The HUB is located in the University Center, or contact the HUB at 678-466-4357.    

Prerequisites: POLS 1101. This course is taken at the point where apolitical science major is within approximately two semesters of graduation, or has a minimum of 90 credit hours in the major. This course is limited to declared political science members.

Course Description: State & 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. Comparative analysis of relevant actors and strategies across the states is incorporated.

Format: Class will meet each regularly scheduled calendar day unless announced otherwise. All dates of assignments, tests and exams are listed later in this syllabus. Scheduled regular class sessions generally will follow a lecture/discussion format. You are expected to have read each assignment by the date set for its consideration in class. 

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

Course Computer Usage: Students will not be requested to bring a computer to class. Students will make regular remote site use of their computers to access course related email, course websites, complete Internet assignments, and as they study for examinations.

Attendance: Attendance will be taken each class session. All students are expected to attend class each day we meet. If you are unable to attend, obtain information on what has been missed from a fellow student, and then see me with any further questions. 

CSU Attendance Policy:
Students are expected to attend and participate in every class meeting. Instructors establish specific policies relating to absences in their courses and communicate these policies to the students through the course syllabi. Individual instructors, based upon the nature of the course, determine what effect excused and unexcused absences have in determining grades and upon students' ability to remain enrolled in their courses. The university reserves the right to determine that excessive absences, whether justified or not are sufficient cause for institutional withdrawals or failing grades.

 Weather: Tune to WSB Channel 2 for school closing information.

CHEATING WILL NOT BE TOLERATED, AND WILL BE DEALT WITH IN KEEPING WITH THE CSU CONDUCT CODE


CSU Conduct Code and Judicial Procedure

Grading: 

Course grades will be determined on the basis of a straight 500 point scale, with a distribution of possible points earned as listed below for each grade level. To determine your grade at any point in the course simply subtract all points you have lost from 500; For example, if you have lost more than  45 points you will be in the B grade range, and if you have lost more than 90 points, you will be in the C grade range, etc. Percentages are not used to calculate grades in the class. At the end of the class if you are within 3 points of a higher letter grade, I will assign you that higher grade for the course.

Midterm Grades: A course midterm grade will be posted on the DUCK by midterm each semester. The midterm grade will only reflect work completed to the middle of the semester. More than half of the scored work in this course is completed after the midterm date. If you have questions, please contact the instructor. 

Withdrawals and Incompletes: Students may wish to review college policy regarding course withdrawals and incompletes in the CSU catalog. Do not hesitate to speak with me, or your advisor, if you need information relating to course withdrawals/deadlines or incompletes.

Disabilities: Individuals with disabilities who need to request accommodations should contact the Disability Services Coordinator, Student Center 255, 678-466-5445, disabilityservices@mail.clayton.edu

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 advisory or the Testing Center for more information.  

Student Paper: (100 possible points). Each student will be asked to write a three page paper on a current issue in state or local government. The student can pick any of the fifty states and/or any of the many local governments that lie within them.

Class Participation: (100 possible course points). You will be put into groups of 2 to 3 students and asked to present an assigned chapter to the class. If this is completed along with active participation, you will receive the full 100 points.

Major Examinations: (300 possible course points). There will be three examinations. All examinations are comprised multiple choice/true and false/short answer style questions covering assigned materials from the textbook. Each examination question is worth two possible points. You will have an hour and thirty minuets to complete each of the three examinations. The final examination is NOT cumulative.

Final Examination Dates and Times: CSU policy regarding MORE than two final exams scheduled for the same day allows a student to request an alternate exam schedule, BUT the University will NOT allow a change for most other reasons - see the CSU Catalog, or the instructor, if you have questions.

Note: There are no extra credit assignments in the course. I do curve examinations and return a point for any test question missed by 75% or more of those taking the examination.

Missed Examinations: If you miss a test or examination you are encouraged to email the instructor and discuss the matter.  If you miss the first examination, ask the instructor for a random ID number when you take the second examination.

NOTE: STUDENTS MAY REVIEW AN EXAMINATION IN MY OFFICE; DO NOT REMOVE AN EXAMINATION OR A SCANTRON ANSWER SHEET FROM THE CLASSROOM; YOU MAY NOT GET CREDIT FOR YOUR EXAMINATION.

The 1st Major Exam is over Ch. 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5 in the textbook - Study the text, and your notes.
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The 2nd Major Exam is over Ch. 6, 7, 8, 9 & 10 in the textbook - Study the text and your notes.

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The 3rd/Final Exam is over Ch. 11, 12, 13, 14 & 15 in the textbook. Study the text and your notes.

1. Introduction: They Tax Dogs in West Virginia, Don’t They?, Ch. 1;

2.  Federalism: The Power Plan, Ch. 2;

3. Constitutions: Operating Systems, Ch. 3;

4. Political Attitudes and Participation: Venting and Voting, Ch. 4;

5. Parties and Interest Groups: Elephants, Donkeys, and Cash Cows. Ch. 5;

***** Major Examination One - 100 possible points;

6. Legislatures: The Art of Herding Cats, Ch. 6;

7. Governors and Executives: There is No Such Thing as Absolute Power, Ch. 7;

8. Courts: Turning Law into Politics, Ch. 8;

9. Bureaucracy: What Nobody Wants but Everybody Needs, Ch. 9;

10. Local Government: Function Follows Form, Ch. 10;

***** Major Examination One - 100 possible points;

11. Metropolitics: The Hole Problem of Government, Ch. 11;

12. Finance: Filling the Till and Paying the Bills, Ch. 12;

13. Education: Reading Writing, and Regulation, Ch. 13;

14. Crime and Punishment, Ch. 14;

15. Health and Welfare: State, Heal Thyself!, Ch. 15.

***** Major Examination Three/Final Examination - 100 possible points, this exam is not cumulative 

NOTE: You are encouraged to study these chapters. If you have questions regarding any topic included in these chapters, please see me.

NOTE ALSO: Where time does not permit the review of textbook materials towards the end of the semester, students will still be held responsible to study that material using the textbook and study guide, and should expect that it will be covered on the final examination.

KEEP INFORMED: Current events will often 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 a network such as ABC, BBC, CBS, FOX, NBC, PBS, CNN or MSNBC, 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. These news sources and more are also accessible on the Internet.

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.

NOTE: This syllabus is subject to revision where necessary to achieve course goals - please give me your suggestions.

Please feel free to come by my office any time you have any questions concerning this class. I would prefer to talk with you before you get behind in the course. You will find my office hours listed on page one of this syllabus and on my office door. I will be happy to meet with you by appointment at other mutually agreeable times as well. If you feel that a course related matter requires further discussion, contact Dr. R. B. Rosenburg, Head, Department of Social Sciences, A&S-110, 678-466-4808.

Required Textbook Materials: (Available in the University Store) 

1. The POLS 3212 classroom course required textbook: Smith, Greenblatt & Mariani, Governing States & Localities, 2^nd Edition, CQ Press, 2008, includes the following required component within one binding:

State & Local Government ,2007-2008 Edition, CQ Press, 2008.

For Your Information: (Library or CSU Office of Student Services)

1. "Clayton State University Student Handbook".

Summer Semester 2009 Full Session: (TR 6:00 p.m. to 8:15 p.m., U331)

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