Winthrop University
Spring 2018
Political Science 202-001: State and Local Government
Monday/Wednesday 3:30-4:45 PM, Owens G01
Three credit hours
Turnitin.com class number 17136253, enrollment key holder202
Dr. John Holder
Bancroft 340
http://faculty.winthrop.edu/holderj/plsc202.html
(803) 323-4665
Office Hours: MW 3:30-4:45, TR 2:00-3:15, or by appointment.
Required Materials:
Thomas R. Dye and Susan A. MacManus,
Politics in States and Communities, 14th ed., Pearson, 2012. (Abbreviated in
the syllabus as D&M; available for purchase or rental in print or e-book format
at the Winthrop University Bookstore, or through online sources)
J. Eric Oliver, Local Elections and the
Politics of Small-Scale Democracy, Princeton, 2012. (Available at the
Winthrop University Bookstore)
Additional Readings, available through course Webpage:
Holley H. Ulbrich, Donna S. London, and Melinda A. Lucka, “Local Governments and
Home Rule in South Carolina [/] A Citizen’s Guide,” Clemson University, Jim Self
Center for the Future, 2011.
CQ/Roll Call, "How to Track State Legislation"
Additional readings may be added throughout the semester.
COURSE DESCRIPTION AND COURSE
GOALS
The United States Constitution divides and shares power not only among the three
branches of the Federal Government, but also between the governments of the
nation and the states. The states
then further share power with cities, counties, townships and other local
entities. Perhaps contrary to
popular belief, state and local governments frequently affect most Americans’
day-to-day lives far more than does the government in Washington, D.C.
This course will address a number of questions: What is the relationship
between Washington and the states?
How are the states similar, and how are they different, in their structures,
processes, and philosophies of government?
How do the political systems of the states resemble each other, and how
do they differ? What policy issues
are significant for state and local governments?
How are the states similar, and how are they different, in the way they
carry out policies and provide services such as welfare and education?
What difference does it make if a policy is made and carried out in
Washington, as opposed to Columbia, Raleigh or Honolulu?
And how is the federal government “better” or “worse” than the state
governments at making policy and providing services?
We will also examine the role which city, county, town and other local
units of government play in all of the above.
South Carolina is an ongoing topic in the class, but not the primary focus.
(Winthrop occasionally offers a distinct Special Topics class on South Carolina
government and politics.) While relevant examples from this state will be used,
the emphasis here is on issues that affect all 50 states, and on a comparative
analysis of how all the states do things.
As is true of any other state, South Carolina is typical of the rest of
the nation in some respects, but unique in others, and how things are (or are
not) done here is certainly of interest, but not necessarily relevant to a study
of the larger issues involved in state and local government.
STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
The course objective is not only to increase your understanding of state and
local government and politics, and the relationships among those institutions
and their counterparts on the federal level, but also to develop your
understanding of a number of public policy issues with critical importance to
state and local governments and to American society, including education,
welfare, civil rights, economic development, environmental policy, and health
care. You will explore a topic of your choice related to one of these issues in
your research paper.
This class contributes to student mastery of Winthrop University Level
Competency 1: Winthrop graduates think critically and solve problems. The course
includes an extensive discussion of contemporary policy problems facing state
governments, including issues of education, health care, welfare and other
current issues as events warrant. You will be required to analyze a policy issue
of your choice which is pertinent to an individual state which you are randomly
assigned at the beginning of the semester. As a result, you must think
critically and solve problems, and you will be assessed accordingly.
University Level Competency 2: Winthrop graduates are personally and socially
responsible. You will learn a significant amount of detail about a state other
than your own. This seeks to give you a broader perspective on the government,
politics, and culture of a part of the United States with which you are not yet
familiar. You will also learn how other states perceive the role of government
in solving policy problems and address many normative political issues such as
same-sex marriage, health care as a right, and access to education. This will
help you think about what it means to be a personally and socially responsible
citizen as you think through complex political and moral issues not just as
individual choices but as policy prescriptions.
University Level Competency 3: Winthrop graduates understand the interconnected
nature of the world and the time in which they live. While the course focuses
almost entirely on governments within the United States, you will learn about
how state policy decisions affect other states. For example, states compete with
each other to recruit jobs. Pollution does not stay within state lines. One
state's adoption of a lottery can be seen to increase political pressure on its
neighbors to adopt lotteries as well. Understanding the interconnected nature of
state policies is an important aspect of the course.
University Level Competency 4: Winthrop graduates communicate effectively. Given
that this class is a major requirement for Mass Communication and also attracts
large numbers of Political Science majors, there is a great deal of emphasis on
written description and analysis of state governments and their policy issues,
including the major paper at the end of the semester.
GRADING SCALE
The course will use Winthrop
University’s +/- grading system. Final grades will be assigned as follows:
93-100 = A
90-92 = A-
87-89 = B+
83-86 = B
80-82 = B-
77-79 = C+
73-76 = C
70-72 = C-
67-69 = D+
63-66 = D
60-62 = D-
59 or below = F.
STUDENT LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
On the first day of class, you will randomly draw a state. You will become the
class expert on that state for the semester. You will complete a worksheet on
your state’s government and politics early in the semester. Throughout the
semester, you will monitor news, political and legislative developments in the
state, through the Websites of the state government, the newspapers in the
capital or largest city, and other sources. This will help you develop an
understanding of the state’s politics and important policy issues. Your paper
will be on the impact of a specific policy in your state. You will be expected
to contribute your knowledge of ongoing issues in your state to class
discussion.
State Worksheet: This will be a brief exercise in which you will research the
partisan composition of your state’s legislature, its political culture, methods
by which certain officials are named to office, and current political issues.
This will be graded pass/fail. Failure to complete this exercise will result in
a reduction of your semester grade by one increment (e.g., from A to A-).
Research Paper, 30%: The research paper will be a 7-10 page analysis of a
research question of your choice related to a current public policy issue in
your state.
Examples of a research question would be, for example, “Do laws requiring photo
identification for voting effectively prevent voter fraud, or do they unfairly
disenfranchise citizens?” “How have the requirements of the federal Affordable
Care Act affected health care expenditures by state governments?” or “Did the
requirements of the No Child Left Behind Act improve educational outcomes in
[your state]?” I will be happy to discuss possible topics and research questions
with you. I would encourage you to begin thinking about the paper as early as
possible, rather than waiting until we actually discuss these issues in class
late in the semester. This paper must be uploaded to turnitin.com by the
beginning of class on Thursday, Apr. 19.
Two midterm exams (20% each); Final exam (30%): The midterm exams will be in
class on Tues., Feb. 6, and Tues., Mar. 6. The final exam will be on Fri., Apr.
27, 3:00-5:30 PM. The exams will include a combination of short
answers/definitions, and essay questions. The final exam is not cumulative, but
assumes knowledge of material covered on the midterm. A review guide for each
exam will be handed out approximately one week in advance, and the last class
before each exam will include time for review.
Makeup exams will not be given without documentation of extenuating
circumstances. Winthrop University policy does not allow the rescheduling of
exams (including taking an exam earlier than the scheduled time) due to travel
plans.
Administrative Announcements:
Class cancellations, changes in schedule, guest speakers, etc., will be
announced via the class listserv, to which you will be automatically subscribed
through your winthrop.edu e-mail address.
If you need to subscribe to the class listserv, go to:
http://www.winthrop.edu/technology/default.aspx?id=7081&ekmensel=bfef63b6_489_491_7081_1.
The class number is PLSC202001. Check your WU e-mail frequently. You may use the
listserv for discussion or to share information with classmates, review for
exams, or ask questions about course material. The e-mail address is
plsc202001@class.winthrop.edu. Note that anything you post to the listserv will
be seen by everyone in the class.
Attendance:
Attendance will be taken by means of a sign-in sheet circulated at the beginning
of each class meeting. In accordance with Winthrop’s attendance policies, if you
are absent without excuse from one-quarter of the class meetings or more (in
this case, seven), you will receive an N or an F, as appropriate. In this class,
signing in an absent classmate is considered an act of academic dishonesty. I do
not require documentation for absences except for exams.
Technology:
You are welcome to use a computer to take notes in class. However, this class
follows the College of Arts and Sciences policy on use of technology in the
classroom. Please turn off all cell phones and other electronic communication
devices during class meetings. If you need to leave your phone on during a
particular class for emergency reasons, please let me know in advance. The use
of any kind of electronic device, including a phone, iPod or Internet access,
during an exam constitutes academic dishonesty.
Academic Honesty and Integrity:
Academic dishonesty will not be tolerated in this class. Any act of academic
dishonesty will result in a grade of F for the class. This class follows the
policies of Winthrop University and the Department of Political Science, which
are linked below, on academic misconduct and plagiarism. Please be aware of
these policies and abide by them. In addition to the failing grade imposed by
the instructor, academic misconduct of any kind will result in referral to the
Dean of Students for possible additional sanctions.
Political Science Department policy statement:
http://www.winthrop.edu/cas/politicalscience/default.aspx?id=19401
Office of Academic Affairs policy statement:
http://www2.winthrop.edu/public/policy/fullpolicy.aspx?pid=252
Schedule of Topics and Reading Assignments
This syllabus is subject to
change at the instructor’s discretion. In particular, I expect to invite guest
speakers.
Tues., Jan. 9: Introduction to
the Course; state selection.
Thurs., Jan. 11:
Overview of
State and Local Government (D&M, Ch. 1).
Tues., Jan. 16:
Federalism and
State Constitutions (D&M, Chs. 2-3).
Thurs., Jan. 18: Class cancelled due to weather.
Tues., Jan. 23/Thurs., Jan. 25:
State Legislatures (D&M, Ch. 6).
Thurs., Jan. 25/Tues., Jan. 30:
Governors and
Executive Branches (D&M, Chs. 7-8).
Thurs., Feb. 1/Tues., Feb. 6: State Judicial
Systems and Criminal Justice (D&M, Ch. 9).
Tues., Feb. 6: Review for first exam.
Thurs., Feb. 8:
First
Exam.
Week of
Feb. 13:
Local Government (D&M, Chs. 10 and 12).
Week of Feb. 20:
State & Local Political Parties and Elections (D&M, Chs. 4, 5, 11; Ulbrich,
online.)
Tues., Feb. 27:
Oliver, Introduction, Chs. 1 and
2.
Thurs., Mar. 1:
Oliver, Chs. 3 and 4.
Tues., Mar. 6:
Oliver, Chs. 5 and 6.
Thurs., Mar. 8:
Second Exam.
Week of Mar. 13:
No Class – Spring Break.
Week of Mar. 20: Economic and
Environmental Policy (D&M., Chs. 13 and 14); Civil Rights
Policy (D&M, Ch. 15).
Week of Mar. 27: Education Policy
(D&M, Ch. 16).
Week of Apr. 3: Welfare Policy
(D&M, Ch. 17).
Week of Apr. 10: Health Care
Policy (no assigned reading).
Tues., Apr. 17: TBA.
Thurs., Apr. 19:
Last Class. Papers due. Class
evaluations will be administered online. Please bring an Internet-capable device
to class. Review for final exam.
Fri., Apr. 27, 3:00-5:30 PM:
Final Exam.
Winthrop University Resources
Students with Disabilities/Need
of Accommodations for Access:
Winthrop University is committed
to providing access to education. If
you have a condition which may adversely impact your ability to access academics
and/or campus life, and you require specific accommodations to complete this
course, contact the Office of Accessibility (OA) at 803-323-3290, or,
accessibility@winthrop.edu. Please inform me as early as possible, once you have
your official notice of accommodations from the Office of Accessibility.
OA Staff:
•
Tina Vires – Program Director, extension 6174; virest@winthrop.edu
•
Shardae Nelson– Assistant Coordinator, extension 6188;
nelsons@winthrop.edu
•
Hope Williams – Administrative Specialist, extension 3290;
accessibility@winthrop.edu
•
Susan Sistar – Coordinator for Testing Program and the Test Center,
extension 6173; sistars@winthrop.edu or testcenter@winthrop.edu
•
From off campus – 803/323-3290
Winthrop’s Office of Nationally
Competitive Awards (ONCA) identifies and assists highly motivated and talented
students to apply for nationally and internationally competitive awards,
scholarships, fellowships, and unique opportunities both at home and abroad.
ONCA gathers and disseminates award information and deadlines across the
campus community, and serves as a resource for students, faculty, and staff
throughout the nationally competitive award nomination and application process.
ONCA is located in Dinkins 222A. Please fill out an online information form at
the bottom of the ONCA webpage www.winthrop.edu/onca and email onca@winthrop.edu
for more information.
Winthrop’s Academic Success
Center (ASC) is a free resource for all undergraduate students seeking to
perform their best academically. The
ASC offers a variety of personalized and structured resources that help students
achieve academic excellence, such as tutoring, academic skill development (test
taking strategies, time management counseling, and study techniques), group and
individual study spaces, and academic coaching.
The ASC is located on the first floor of Dinkins, Suite 106.
Please contact the ASC at 803-323-3929 or success@winthrop.edu or
www.winthrop.edu/success.
Winthrop’s Office of Victims
Assistance (OVA) provides services to survivors of sexual assault, intimate
partner violence, and stalking as well as educational programming to prevent
these crimes from occurring. The staff assists all survivors, regardless of when
they were victimized, in obtaining counseling, medical care, housing options,
legal prosecution, and more. In addition, the OVA helps students access support
services for academic problems resulting from victimization. The OVA is located
in 204 Crawford and can be reached at (803) 323-2206. In the case of an
after-hours emergency, please call Campus Police at (803)323-3333, or the local
rape crisis center, Safe Passage, at their 24-hour hot-line, (803)329-2800. For
more information please visit: http://www.winthrop.edu/victimsassistance/