POLS 601 State and Local Government

 

Semester: Spring 2008
Section: 01
Class Time: Thursday 4:00-6:50pm 
Classroom: Butte Hall 706 
Syllabus: http://www.csuchico.edu/~ccturner/syllabi/statelocalspring08.html

Instructor: Dr. Charles C. Turner 
Email: ccturner@csuchico.edu
Phone: (530)898-5960 (office)
Office: 741B Butte Hall
Office Hours: Mon/Wed/Thur 2:00-4:00pm
                       (or by request)

Scope and Purpose

This graduate seminar explores both the theory and practice of sub-national government. We will explore three broad themes over the course of the semester: federalism and design; institutions and processes; and problems, policies, and solutions. In each theme we will study both academic and professional approaches to explaining state and local government.

The format of the class will emphasize and encourage student involvement. Most weeks will consist of a short lecture by the instructor, presentation of one or more additional reading reports, and discussion and critique of the week's readings. Discussion questions will be generated through short writing assignments. You should expect to come to class each week having completed the assigned reading and prepared to discuss its merits and the questions it raises.

I assume that you are all familiar with some of the nuts and bolts of state and local government--the textbook kind of material that you might read in an undergraduate class. If you would like to brush up on some of this material, just let me know. I am happy to recommend some good textbooks.

We will be discussing a wide range of issues in this class. Sometimes you will have questions: feel free to ask them. Sometimes you will disagree with a classmate. Sometimes you will disagree with me. That's okay! The political process is about deliberation and reasonable people often disagree.

Course Readings

The following books are required for the course and are available at the Associated Students Bookstore (underlined titles are links to publisher web pages--you are welcome to purchase the books from whatever source you like):

Ellis, Richard J. 2002. Democratic Delusions: The Initiative Process in America. Lawrence: University Press of Kansas. 0-7006-1156-8.

Florida, Richard. 2002. The Rise of the Creative Class. New York: Basic Books. 0-465-02477-7.

Frank, Thomas. 2004. What’s the Matter With Kansas? New York: Owl Books. 0-8050-7774-X.

 

Kousser, Thad. 2005. Term Limits and the Dismantling of State Legislative Professionalism. New York: Cambridge University Press. 052154873X.

 

Pinello, Daniel R. 2006. America’s Struggle for Same-Sex Marriage. New York: Cambridge University Press. 9780521613033.


Samish, Arthur H., and Bob Thomas. 1971. The Secret Boss of California: The Life and High Times of Art Samish. New York: Crown Publishers.

Schrag, Peter. 1999. Paradise Lost: California's Experience, America's Future. Berkeley: University of California Press. 0520218981.

Wright, Ralph G. 2005. Inside the Statehouse. Washington, DC: CQ Press. 1-56802-949-7.

These books will be supplemented with reading from other sources. These additional readings are available on the internet (see below). You will need to access this syllabus on the web on a regular basis in order to complete the readings and other class assignments.

Course Requirements and Grading
For the University grading guidelines, consult the University Catalog.
 

Your grade for the course will be based on the following:

These are the outcomes:

weekly précis

100 pts.

25%

additional reading summary

60 pts.

15%

research paper

200 pts.

50%

participation

40 pts.

10%

 

400 pts.

100%

 

 

A 

372-400 pts.

93-100%

A-

360-372

90-92%

B+

352-359

88-89%

B 

332-351

83-87%

B-

320-331

80-82%

C+

312-319

78-79%

C 

280-311

70-77%

F 

0-279 pts.

69% and below

 

Weekly Précis: On each of five weeks over the course of the semester (beginning February 14th at the earliest) you should come to class with a 2 page (typed, double spaced) précis of the week's assigned reading. The précis should succinctly summarize the main points of the reading, critique the strengths and weaknesses of the author's argument(s), and raise questions for class discussion (these questions will be used to form part of the class discussion of that reading). Your first one should include a printed and signed copy of Chico State's Policy on Academic Integrity. Sign it to indicate that you understand what plagiarism is, staple these two things together and bring them to class. These are worth 20 points each for a total of 100 points. Only the first two pages will be read.

Additional Reading Summary: On February 14th we will sign up for additional readings. You will be responsible for writing a thorough summary (5 pages) of the additional reading you select, due the day we discuss that topic. Your summary should thoroughly describe the form and content of the author's argument. You should also provide a critique of the work's strengths and weaknesses. You are responsible for bringing enough copies of the summary for distribution to the entire class and two copies for the professor (preferably double-sided). You are also responsible for leading a discussion on that topic during class. Since your book might not be readily available at Meriam Library (meaning that you might need to use inter-library loan), you need to get started on this early.

Research Paper: On May 15th you will turn in a research paper (about 15-20 pages) that investigates a topic of interest in state or local government. We will discuss how to select a topic and design a research paper in class and you need to have your topic approved by the instructor. Your bibliography must include at least 8 academic sources, including at least 3 articles from scholarly journals.

Participation: Class attendance and participation are vital elements of a graduate seminar. You should come to each class prepared to discuss the week's readings. We will be learning a lot through active participation in discussions--working though our ideas and interpretations out loud, with our classmates. I will call on you to answer questions if I have to, but would prefer that you all participate voluntarily. I'm not expecting "right" answers--sometimes there isn't a right answer; I am expecting thoughtful and intelligent answers that demonstrate you have done the reading and are paying attention.


Other Details
You must make arrangements with the instructor ahead of time if you cannot attend a class session or complete an assignment on time. Late assignments will be assessed a full one letter grade penalty (10%) for each class period they are late. Students are expected to complete their own work. Academic dishonesty will result in a zero on the assignment and formal charges with Student Judicial Affairs. For questions or concerns about plagiarism, please ask me or consult the University Catalog's section on Academic Honesty and the University's Policy on Academic Integrity. The instructor reserves the right to check papers via Turnitn.com. (If you object to the use of turnitin.com, you are welcome to choose an alternative recommended by turnitin: “turn in a photocopy of the first page of all reference sources used, an annotated bibliography, and a one page paper reflecting on your research methodology.”) If you are unhappy with a grade you receive on an assignment, do not understand my comments, or believe that I have mis-interpreted your writing, come talk to me.  It is always possible that I have erred. This syllabus is subject to change and/or revision during the academic term.  Turn off cell phones, pagers, and other distracting devices during class.  If your cell phone rings during class you will be expected to leave the classroom for the remainder of the period.

If you have a documented disability that may require reasonable accommodation, please contact Disability Support Services (DSS) for coordination of your academic accommodations. DSS is located in Building E, adjacent to Meriam Library and Bell Memorial Union (BMU). The DSS phone number is 898-5959 V/TDD or Fax 898-4411. Visit the DSS Web site at http://www.csuchico.edu/dss/

Since even graduate students are not perfect writers  , you are encouraged to take advantage of Chico State's University Writing Center. Indeed, there are writing assignments every week, so you should look at this class as an opportunity to enhance your writing skills. Writing well is a lifelong learning process, so don't feel like you have to be a "bad" writer to take advantage of student writing services, or that there is no need for help once you are a "good" writer. There is always room for improvement! Also, if you do not already own one, a writing guide/manual is an invaluable tool. Our library has several print examples and several web sites that provide citation guides. Some good print examples are:

Hacker, Diana. A Writer's Reference. Sixth Edition, St. Martin's Press. 2007..
Lunsford, Andrea, and Robert Connors. EasyWriter: A Pocket Guide. Third Edition, Bedford/St.Martin's Press. 2006..
Scott, Gregory M., and Stephen M. Garrison. The Political Science Student Writer's Manual. 5th ed., Prentice Hall. 2006.
Strunk, William, Jr. Elements of Style.

 

Semester Schedule

  • Week 8, March 20
    • Spring Break! Campus closed.
  • Additional readings:
    • Jean Reith Schroedel, Is the Fetus a Person? A Comparison of Policies across the Fifty States.
    • Melody Rose, Safe, Legal, and Unavailable? Abortion Politics in the United States.
    • Martha A. Derthick, Up in Smoke: From Legislation to Litigation in Tobacco Politics.
    • Paul Teske, Regulation in the States.
    • Matthew J. Burbank, Gregory D. Andranovich, and Charles H. Heying. Olympic Dreams: The Impact of Mega-Events on Local Politics.
    • Rufus P. Browning, Dale Rogers Marshall, and David H. Tabb, eds., Racial Politics in American Cities.
    • David Osborne and Ted Gaebler, Reinventing Government.

·        Beth A. Rosenson, The Shadowlands of Conduct: Ethics and State Politics.

·        W. Dale Mason, Indian Gaming.

·        Jacob Lentz. Electing Jesse Ventura: A Third-Party Success Story

·        Malcolm E. Jewell and Sarah M. Morehouse. Political Parties and Elections in the American States.

·        Steven P. Erie, Rainbow's End: Irish-Americans and the Dilemmas of Urban Machine Politics, 1840-1985.

 Some Sources for Information on State and Local Government

California Specific Sites

General Sites

page last updated 26 October 2007.