State and Local Government

Political Science 301

Fall, 2005 (TR/5-6:15pm)

Instructor: Dr. Troy Gibson

Course Website: ocean.otr.usm.edu/~w487033

Office

Location: LAB 424

Phone: 601-266-4277

E-mail:

Hours: M 1-2pm; TR 4-5pm LAB or by appointment

Course Description:

This course examines the American institution of federalism by focusing on the powers of state and local government and the politically diverse characteristics between states. Indeed, much of this course will be a comparative analysis of states and regions highlighting a wide range of topics including election systems, partisan and ideological compositions, constitutions, and public policies.

Course Requirements:

30% Midterm Exam

30% Final Exam

25%State Comparison Paper

15% Daily Grades (Includes quizzes, assignments, presentations, and participation)

Grading:

A 10-point grading system will be used (i.e. 90-100 = A, 80-89 = B… Below 60 = F)

Course Materials:

(Optional) State and Local Politics: Government by the People, 11th edition. Burns, Peltason, Cronin, Magleby, O’Brien, and Light.

Attendance:

I consider college students fully capable of making appropriate decisions with respect to class attendance and equally capable of living with the consequences of those decisions. Makeup exams will not be administered without acceptable documentation of a serious health problem requiring medical attention or excused school function (notify me well in advance). No makeup quizzes will be administered for any reason, as I will drop your lowest quiz grade at the semester’s end.

Class Policies:

I strictly follow this institution’s standards with respect to academic dishonesty. Conviction will result in an automatic “F” in the course and may also involve an additional penalty from outside authorities. Consult your Student Handbook for details.

Course Schedule:

Sept. 13 & 15 / Organization and Class Introduction and
Sept. 20 & 22 / Chapter 1: Who Governs?
Sept.27 & 29 / Chapter 2: Federalism
Oct. 4 and 6 / Continue and Discussion #1: Federalism and Hurricane Katrina
Oct. 11 & 13 / Chapter 3: State Constitutions and Discussion #2:Homosexual Marriage
Oct. 18 & 20 / Chapter 4: Parties and Elections
Oct. 25 & 27 / Chapter 5: State Legislatures
Nov. 1 & 3 / Midterm Exam and Discussion #3: State Abortion Policy
Nov. 8 & 10 / Chapter 6: State Governors
Nov. 15 & 17 / Chapter 7: Judges and Justice:
Nov. 22 & 24 / Continue and Thanksgiving Break
Nov. 29 & Dec. 1 / Chapter 9: State Policy and Discussion #4: The Death Penalty
Dec. 6 & 8 / Presentations

State Comparison papers are due when you present them. See website for details.

If a student has a disability that qualifies under the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) and requires accommodations, he/she should contact the Office for Disability Accommodations (ODA) for information on appropriate policies and procedures. Disabilities covered by ADA may include learning, psychiatric, physical disabilities, or chronic health disorders. Students can contact ODA if they are not certain whether a medical condition/disability qualifies.