Syllabus STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT Spring 2000

POLS 102-002 MWF 8:40-9:30 MP106

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.

COURSE DESCRIPTION

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 more than 60 years. The next decade will witness significant changes in the policymaking responsibility for state and local governments. Accompanying these increased powers will be difficult financial decisions. As citizens, it is crucial that we understand the nature of state and local political institutions, and the issues that will face them 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 Boise area when appropriate.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

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. Furthermore, we will discuss the changing role of state and local governments in specific policy areas such as welfare, health, education, and correctional policy.

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.

EVALUATION CRITERIA

There will be 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.

READINGS

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. This site has an electronic newspaper clipping service, covering state politics in all 50 states.

www.ncsl.org National Conference of State Legislatures.

SCHEDULE

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