Dr. Gary Moncrief Office: PAAW 126B email: gmoncri@boisestate.edu

Office hours: MWF 12:30-1:30 p.m. TTH 8:30-10:00 a.m.

Changes in the current political and fiscal relationships between the national government and the states makes this the most important period for state and local governments in almost 70 years.  The next decade will witness significant changes in the policymaking responsibility for state and local governments in such areas as education, public health, welfare, corrections, and transportation. Accompanying these policy innovations will be difficult financial decisions. It is crucial that we, as citizens, understand the nature of state and local political institutions, and the issue that will face these govenrments in the immediate future.

This class takes a comparative approach to the study of sub-national government, emphasizing the variety of patterns found in state and local political systems. This is not a course in Idaho politics, although examples will be drawn from Idaho and the Treasure Valley when appropriate.

The primary goal of the course is to provide the student with basic information and knowledge about the operation of state and local government in the United States. This includes the structures and functions of state, city, county, school district and special district governments. Changes in the relationship between governmental units—especially changes in the nature of federalism—are emphasized. Also highlighted are the very important changes in the political economies of state and local governments.  We will also discuss the changing role of state and local governments in specific policy areas. 

This is an introductory-level course, required or recommended for majors in several departments other than political science. Consequently, we assume little or no prior knowledge of political systems or government.

There are four exams of 100 points each. Exams are a combination of short-answer and multiple-choice questions. Make-up exams must be arranged PRIOR to the scheduled exam day. No extra-credit projects are accepted; the course grade is determined solely on the basis of the exam scores.

The text for this course is Ann Bowman and Richard Kearney, State and Local Government, 4^th edition (1999). There will be occasional handouts in class as well. In addition, there is a wealth of information about state and local government and politics on the internet. Two of the more useful web-sites are:

www.csg.org  Council of State Governments website, with an electronic newspaper clipping service covering state politics in all 50 states.

www.ncsl.org National Conference of State Legislatures website, with links to all 50 state legislatures, and to specific policy issues.  Click on "public user." 

www.stateline.org  Another very good electronic newsclipping service, covering state government and politics.

www.nlc.org  Website for the National League of Cities

www.accessidaho.org  Website for the state of Idaho, including links to various state agencies and departments.  

SCHEDULE