Social Science 262

State and Local Government

 

                                                                                                                       

                                                  

Spring, 2008                                                                                                                      James Przybylski

 

            The purpose of this course is to introduce the student to politics and government at the state and local level with special attention given to the state of Missouri.  By the end of the term, the student should be aware of the major governmental structures at the state and local level, the major participants in the political struggles that take place, some of the socioeconomic factors that effect politics, and some of the major policy issues that concern state and local government today.  Since this course meets the Missouri Statute Requirement, there will often be references to comparable federal practices; and a short section on the national government will also be covered.

 

            The two required textbooks are Politics and Policy in States and Communities, 10th Edition, by John Harrigan and David Nice and Annual Editions: State and Local Government, 13th Edition, edited by Bruce Stinebrickner.  There will be two semester exams of 100 points each and a final exam worth 120 points.

 

            In addition to the above, each student will be required to do two assignments.  The student could attend a public meeting (either in Kirksville or his or her hometown) and/or the student could read an approved article pertaining to state and local government.  The student will be expected to write two 750-word reviews of whatever option is chosen.  These reviews will be worth 50 points each.  Dr. Przybylski will distribute a handout outlining how these reviews should be done.  There may also be quizzes from time to time to test the student’s knowledge of current materials.

 

“The university is committed to making every possible effort to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). If you have a disability for which you are or may be requesting an accommodation, you are encouraged to contact both your instructor and the Disability Services office (x4478) as soon as possible.”

 

Dr. Przybylski's Office is MC223; his phone number is 785-4657; his e-mail address is jprz@truman.edu. His website is at www2.truman.edu/jprz/przybyls.html

 

 

READINGS:

 

 I.  The Environment of State and Local Government

 

            A.  Introduction

 

Jan. 16             Harrigan and Nice, Chapter 1, “Introduction to State and Community Politics”

 

Jan.18              Stinebrickner, ed., #2, #9, #11

 

Jan. 21            Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

 

Jan. 23             Harrigan and Nice, Chapter 2, “The Constitutional Environment…”

 

Jan. 25             Stinebrickner, ed., #13, #18

                                   

            B.  The Dynamics of Community Politics and Citizen Influence

 

Jan. 28             Harrigan and Nice, Ch. 4, “Channels of Citizen Influence: Participation, Public Opinion, &

                       Interest Groups”

 

Jan. 30             Stinebrickner, ed., #12, #14

 

Feb. 1              Harrigan and Nice, Ch. 5, “Channels…: The Ballot Box, Parties, & Direct Action”

 

Feb. 4              Stinebrickner, ed., #15, #16

 

Jan. 6-8            Harrigan and Nice, Ch. 6, “The Institutions of Local Government”

 

Feb. 11            Stinebrickner, ed., #34, #35, #36

 

Feb. 13-15       Harrigan and Nice, Ch. 7, “The Dynamics of Community Politics”

 

            C.  Intergovernmental Relations and The U.S. Constitution

 

Feb. 18            Harrigan and Nice, Ch. 3, “The Intergovernmental Framework…” (Begin)

 

Feb. 20            University Conference Day

 

Feb. 22            Harrigan and Nice, Ch. 3, (Conclude)

Stinebrickner, ed., #4, #7, #8

 

Feb. 25-29       U.S. Constitution

 

Mar. 3              Review

                

Mar. 5             Semester Exam #1

 

            D.  State and Local Finance

 

Mar. 7              Harrigan and Nice, Ch. 12, “Financing State & Local Governments” (Begin)

 

Mar. 10-14     Midterm Break

 

Mar. 17            Harrigan and Nice, Ch. 12, (Conclude)

                       

Mar. 19           Stinebrickner, ed., #37, #38, #39

First Review Due

 

 

II.  Governing Structures

 

            A.  Legislatures and Representation

               

Mar. 21            Harrigan and Nice, Ch.8, “State Legislatures and Public Policy”

 

Mar. 24           Spring Break

           

Mar. 26            Stinebrickner, ed., #22, #23

 

            B.  Governors and Administration

 

Mar. 28-31      Harrigan and Nice, Ch. 9, “Governors and the Challenge of Executive Leadership”

 

Apr. 2-4           Harrigan and Nice, Ch. 10, “Administrators and the Implementation of Policy”

 

Apr. 3              Student Research Conference

 

Apr. 7              Review

 

Apr. 9              Semester Exam #2

 

C.  Courts and Justice

 

Apr. 11-14       Harrigan and Nice, Ch. 11, “Courts, Crime, & Corrections in American States”

           

III.  Policies of State and Local Governments

 

            A.  Poverty and Welfare

 

Apr. 16            Harrigan and Nice, Ch. 13, “Poverty and Social Welfare Policies”

 

Apr. 18            Stinebrickner, ed., #44

                        Second Review Due

 

            B.  Education

 

Apr. 21-23       Harrigan and Nice, Ch. 14, “Education”

 

            C.  Transportation Policies

 

Apr. 25            Harrigan and Nice, Ch. 15 (to page 408), “Infrastructure Policies: Transportation”

 

Apr. 28            Stinebrickner, ed., #48

 

Apr. 30-May 2             Conclusions and Review

                              

 

May 6 (Tuesday)       FINAL EXAM 1:30-3:20