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The Syllabus
POLITICAL SCIENCE & Public Administration
STATE & LOCAL GOVERNMENT
COURSE CONTENT: This course is designed to introduce the student to sub-national politics and government in the United States. The primary focus will be on the structures, functions, and problems of contemporary state governments. The changing role of the states relative to their sub-units (i.e., local governments) and to other states and the national government will also be examined.
COURSE POLICIES: Regular attendance is expected and will be a factor in grade calculations. More than five absences are excessive. An absence can be excused if it is due to serious verifiable illness, family emergency or official college activity. Turning in assignments late will result in a lowered grade, unless advance permission is obtained. Make-up exams are considered a privilege and not an intrinsic right. If you miss an exam or an assignment, it is your responsibility to convince the instructor that your absence should be excused and that a make-up exam should be given. Failure to turn in an assignment or take an exam will result in the grade of "0" for that assignment.
Cheating and plagiarism are unacceptable. If detected, the student(s) involved will be given a grade of "0" for the assignment. Students should read the college policy on student academic dishonesty, printed in the GC&SU Catalog. Student work may be reviewed by plagiarism software and GCSU is a paid subscriber of “Turn-It-In.” Also, prior to mid-semester, you will receive feedback on your academic performance in this course.
New Textbook link here:
http://www.cqpress.com/product/Governing3e.html
b) Governing Articles can be found here http://www.governing.com/
COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
Final course grades will be calculated from the following (100% total):
a) Mid-term exam 25% of total grade
b) Final exam 40% of total grade
c) Legislative tracking 15% of total grade
d) Local govt meeting 15% of total grade
e) Participation: quizzes 5% of total grade
ARTICLE ASSIGNMENTS
Many of the articles may be found here: Governing Magazine (www.governing.com). Students are responsible for reading all of the articles. Specific assignments may also be made. According to class enrollment, students may have an opportunity to discuss the articles during class and on our course wiki pages. The discussion should summarize the major theme of the article(s) and relate that theme to what has been discussed in class and in the Smith text. Articles can be found on our class wiki site here: http://stateandlocalgovernment.wetpaint.com/page/Article+Copies Student should check all areas of our class wiki site.
IMPORTANT DATES: (and tentative exam dates)
Week of: IMPORTANT DATES: (and tentative exam dates)
Link to assignment here:
LG Meeting Paper
************************************************************
Internet Communication: This class may communicate via several web-based social utilities including “FaceBook” and “Twitter”. The method of joining the course web sites will be explained in class. This syllabus and other course material are available on the MyCats course web page and the Facebook Group – State & Local Government - Wilkinson.
NOTE: Clearly, this syllabus is a general guideline and can be altered or changed during the course. You should understand that the dates on the above schedules, both for exercises and tests, are tentative and may change –within a narrow range. The actual dates for other tests and assignments will be announced in class. If you have any questions about these requirements or about course materials, please do not hesitate to contact me.
IN CASE OF FIRE: In the event of a fire alarm signal, students should exit the building in a quick and orderly manner through the nearest hallway exit not obstructed by fire and/or smoke. Be familiar with the floor plan and exits of the building. In case of fire, do not use the elevators. Do not reenter the building under any circumstances. Assemble for a head count in front of the building away from fire apparatus and report your presence to your instructor. Above/Below ground floor classes should exit through ground level exits; Third floor classes through nearest stairwell to a ground level exit. Third floor stairwells are areas where disabled people may communicate with rescue workers. Remember - Become familiar with the floor-plan and exits of this building.
ASSISTANCE FOR STUDENT NEEDS RELATED TO DISABILITY: If you have a disability as described by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Section 504, you may be eligible to receive accommodations to assist in programmatic and physical accessibility.
Disability Services of the GCSU Office of Institutional Equity and Diversity can assist you in formulating a reasonable accommodation plan and in providing support in developing appropriate accommodations needed to ensure equal access to all GCSU programs and facilities. Course requirements will not be waived but accommodations may assist you in meeting the requirements. For documentation requirements and for additional information, we recommend that you contact Disability Services located in Maxwell Student Union at 478.445.5931 or 478.445.4233 .
STATE & LOCAL GOVERNMENT
COURSE CONTENT: This course is designed to introduce the student to sub-national politics and government in the United States. The primary focus will be on the structures, functions, and problems of contemporary state governments. The changing role of the states relative to their sub-units (i.e., local governments) and to other states and the national government will also be examined.
COURSE POLICIES: Regular attendance is expected and will be a factor in grade calculations. More than five absences are excessive. An absence can be excused if it is due to serious verifiable illness, family emergency or official college activity. Turning in assignments late will result in a lowered grade, unless advance permission is obtained. Make-up exams are considered a privilege and not an intrinsic right. If you miss an exam or an assignment, it is your responsibility to convince the instructor that your absence should be excused and that a make-up exam should be given. Failure to turn in an assignment or take an exam will result in the grade of "0" for that assignment.
Cheating and plagiarism are unacceptable. If detected, the student(s) involved will be given a grade of "0" for the assignment. Students should read the college policy on student academic dishonesty, printed in the GC&SU Catalog. Student work may be reviewed by plagiarism software and GCSU is a paid subscriber of “Turn-It-In.” Also, prior to mid-semester, you will receive feedback on your academic performance in this course.
TEXTS:
a) Governing States & Localities, 3rd Edition. (2010). ISBN: 978-1-60426-728-0New Textbook link here:
http://www.cqpress.com/product/Governing3e.html
b) Governing Articles can be found here http://www.governing.com/
COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
Final course grades will be calculated from the following (100% total):
a) Mid-term exam 25% of total grade
b) Final exam 40% of total grade
c) Legislative tracking 15% of total grade
d) Local govt meeting 15% of total grade
e) Participation: quizzes 5% of total grade
ARTICLE ASSIGNMENTS
Many of the articles may be found here: Governing Magazine (www.governing.com). Students are responsible for reading all of the articles. Specific assignments may also be made. According to class enrollment, students may have an opportunity to discuss the articles during class and on our course wiki pages. The discussion should summarize the major theme of the article(s) and relate that theme to what has been discussed in class and in the Smith text. Articles can be found on our class wiki site here: http://stateandlocalgovernment.wetpaint.com/page/Article+Copies Student should check all areas of our class wiki site.
IMPORTANT DATES: (and tentative exam dates)
Week of:
IMPORTANT DATES: (and tentative exam dates)
Week of:
January 8: First week of class. Introduction: Why Study State & Local Government? Smith, chapter 1; Articles
January 15: Constitution and Federalism (Students must understand this section) Smith, chapter 2-3; Articles
January 22: RESEARCH NIGHT *no regular class meeting* Research Night. Students must e-mail topic outline by February 5.
January 29: Finance and Budgeting - Smith, chapter 4; Articles
Feb. 5: Citizen and Group Participation - Smith, chapters 5-6
Feb. 12: The Judiciary, Crimes, and Punishment - Smith, chapters 9 & 14
Feb. 19: The Bureaucracy - Smith, chapter 10
Feb. 26: Mid-term Exam
March 4: Last Day to Drop a Course without Academic Penalty
March 5: Exam Review students may meet online and/or work on their presentation/research policy report)
March 12: Research Night and/or Local Government Meeting night (Online discussion available)
March 19: Legislatures - Smith, chapter 7
March 25-29: Spring Break – No classes
March 29: GAPUAD Annual Conference: Papers Welcome April 2: Chief Executive Officers - Smith, chapter 8
April 9: Local Government and Metropolitan Politics - Smith, chapter 11-12
April 16: Social Services - Smith, chapter 13-15
April 22: Environmental Regulation - Smith, chapter 16. All Research Papers DUE
April 30: Final Exam
LEGISLATIVE TRACKING PAPER
Each student is required to turn in a legislative tracking paper. By February 5, each student should have chosen two issue areas that was considered in the 2012 session of the Georgia General Assembly (http://www.legis.state.ga.us) or an issue that is expected to be legislated in 2013. A sample of upcoming issues can be found at the Georgia General Assembly website. Students will research and review those issue areas as the issues moved through the legislative session. The research may include quality newspaper coverage, blogs (www.peachpundit.com), reviewing video or podcasts of programs such as the "Lawmakers" on Georgia Public Television (http://www.gpb.org/lawmakers-tv), interviews with legislators, visits to the state Capitol, interviews with Capitol interns, etc. A paper summarizing the tracking should be turned in on Tuesday, March 12. The paper should be typed in accordance with standard typing rules (e.g., double-spaced, one inch margins, 12 point font, annotated). The length of the paper, including both issues, should fall within a range of six (6) to twelve (12) pages. Link to Tracking Legislation here: http://www.legis.ga.gov/Legislation/en-US/default.aspx Atlanta Journal/Constitution 2012 Opening Session article here: http://www.ajc.com/news/georgia-politics-elections/legislature-2012-a-session-1293699.html Intern Program page here: http://www.legis.ga.gov/intern/en-US/default.aspx The paper should summarize the background of the issue area (e.g., what was going on in this field -- why did it become an issue -- how did it become an issue -- who and what groups seemed to be for it and against it). How the issue was treated in the General Assembly should be a major concern. What bill(s) were introduced in this area? Who wrote them? Who was for and against them? If several bills, how did they differ? What committees considered the bill(s)? What happened in the committees? When (if) the bill was reported out of committee, what happened to it in the Rules committee and then on the floor? Again, who was for it and against it? What changes were made in the bill(s) as it moved along the legislative process? How was the bill treated in the other chamber? Be sure that your paper has a conclusion that develops any themes or principles that you think your tracking might show. The paper should be a finished product, not just a quick chronological synopsis of newspaper articles. It should be neat and readable. Both issue areas should be dealt with, but you may choose how to allocate your effort, i.e., both may be given equal treatment or one could be major and the other minor.
Local Government Meetings Paper
Each student shall attend a local government meeting and write a meeting report. The report should include descriptive information about the local government and the student’s normative perspective of the legislative process. The paper should fall within a range of eight (8) to fifteen (15) pages and follow the same format and style as the Tracking Paper. Review Handout – Local Government Meeting Paper.
Link to assignment here:
LG Meeting Paper
************************************************************
Internet Communication: This class may communicate via several web-based social utilities including “FaceBook” and “Twitter”. The method of joining the course web sites will be explained in class. This syllabus and other course material are available on the MyCats course web page and the Facebook Group – State & Local Government - Wilkinson.
NOTE: Clearly, this syllabus is a general guideline and can be altered or changed during the course. You should understand that the dates on the above schedules, both for exercises and tests, are tentative and may change –within a narrow range. The actual dates for other tests and assignments will be announced in class. If you have any questions about these requirements or about course materials, please do not hesitate to contact me.
IN CASE OF FIRE: In the event of a fire alarm signal, students should exit the building in a quick and orderly manner through the nearest hallway exit not obstructed by fire and/or smoke. Be familiar with the floor plan and exits of the building. In case of fire, do not use the elevators. Do not reenter the building under any circumstances. Assemble for a head count in front of the building away from fire apparatus and report your presence to your instructor. Above/Below ground floor classes should exit through ground level exits; Third floor classes through nearest stairwell to a ground level exit. Third floor stairwells are areas where disabled people may communicate with rescue workers. Remember - Become familiar with the floor-plan and exits of this building.
ASSISTANCE FOR STUDENT NEEDS RELATED TO DISABILITY: If you have a disability as described by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Section 504, you may be eligible to receive accommodations to assist in programmatic and physical accessibility.
Disability Services of the GCSU Office of Institutional Equity and Diversity can assist you in formulating a reasonable accommodation plan and in providing support in developing appropriate accommodations needed to ensure equal access to all GCSU programs and facilities. Course requirements will not be waived but accommodations may assist you in meeting the requirements. For documentation requirements and for additional information, we recommend that you contact Disability Services located in Maxwell Student Union at 478.445.5931 or 478.445.4233 .
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