Professor: Dale Nesbary, Ph.D.
Office: Vice President and Dean for Academic Affairs
Stanton Administration Building
Phone: 517-265-5161 x4466
Office Hours: MW 5:00 - 6:00 pm and by appointment
Last Updated On November 19, 2008
e-mail: dnesbary@adrian.edu

September 3:
Where are you???

Governmental Organization Charts Added

Study Guide Quiz One

Workgroups

October 1
Rep. Spade is rescheduled to October 8th
Midterm moved to October 15 (you get one extra week)

October 6
Campaign Volunteer Contact Info

October 8

Midterm Study Guide

October 11
Midterm Essay Questions (the ones needed to be turned in on Wednesday)

Course Description
PSCI 102 provides a framework for understanding institutional and political systems at the state level and local levels.  The primary theme of this course is "The Impact of Politics on the Administration of State and Local Government"

The focus of the course suggests a "systems" framework. This means that students should pay special attention to inputs regarding governments, how these governments are structured and what is produced by the governments:

1. Inputs. These include characteristics of states, such as social and economic resources, political orientations and opinions, and other sources of variance in behavior across states and communities. For example, if one examines criminal justice policy, one would pay special attention to the way states vary in rates and types of crime. Put another way, why is government needed?

2. Structures and Processes. These include the various arrangements states have made for elections, the executive, legislative, and judicial branches, and, specifically, for local government. Each structure has profound implications for how inputs will be converted into public policy. For example, whether states have an appointed or elected judiciary has profound consequences for civil and criminal litigation.  Put another way, how is government organized?

3. Outputs/Public Policy. These are often the results of interaction between state resources and state structures. That is, policies are often determined by choices made at a more basic level. One of the major purposes of the course will be to examine the relationships between policy decisions made by state governments and the configurations of resources and processes that are carried on at state levels.  Put another way, how does government impact society?

Adrian College Ribbons of Excellence

1. Caring for humanity and the world

2. Learning throughout a lifetime

3. Thinking critically

4. Crossing boundaries and disciplines

5. Developing creativity

Course Goal
After completing PSCI 102, students will understand the structure, functions, and relevance of state and local government in the United States

Learning Outcomes, Associated Ribbons
Students completing PSCI 102 will be able to:

Assessment and Grading

Assignments will be graded as per the following rubrics:

Detailed Grading Criteria (Writing Rubric)

Group Presentation  Rubric

Grading and Grading Scale:

Please note that this syllabus will be updated only on the Internet.  I will make announcements in class and on this syllabus through my website.  It is your responsibility to check my website (read below for more information) and attend class to find updated materials.  To find the PSCI 102 Syllabus, open my website (http://www.nesbary.com) and click Academics, and then on the PSCI 102 link on the left border.  You may also navigate to the following URL: http://www.nesbary.com/class/Adrian/102/index.html.  One other note.  Motivated students will track me down outside of office hours.

Required Readings
Bowman and Kearney (2008).  State and local Government Eight Edition.  Houghton Mifflin

Handouts

Linked articles and documents.

Research

Inasmuch as this is a college level course, you are expected to do research outside of class. To facilitate this process, I have developed several websites.  They are located at http://www.nesbary.com and include over 1,000 links to governmental,  research, political, and related organizations.

Invited Guests

TBD

Activities Generally

In-class activities include lecture, discussion, group activity, and guest speakers. Please have all readings done before the day assigned (first day of class excepted). My online class notes will be updated on a weekly basis.  To be successful in this class, you must keep up on assignments, attend class and read/view as much state political news as you can. Finally, you are encouraged to participate openly and freely. All political perspectives are welcome here.

Course Schedule

August 27  - Introduction to State and Local Government

Readings: BK Chapter One

Discussion: The Actors in Michigan

September 3 -  Federalism, Constitution

Readings: BK Chapter Two

Discussion: The Federal Players

September 10 - Constitutions

Readings: BK Chapter Three

Discussion: Gender, Racial, And Generational Politics

September 17 - Campaigns and Elections

Readings:  BK Chapters Four and Five

Quiz One

Campaign Template

Michigan Lobby Registration Act

Michigan's Election System

Who may be lobbied in Michigan (State Officials)?

Who are registered lobbyists in Michigan?

September 24  - Legislatures and Governors

Readings:  BK Chapter Six and Seven

Discussion: Legendary Governors And Legislators

Guest: Nick Occhipinti Campaign Manager, Barack Obama for President, Lenawee County, Democrat 6:00 p.m.

Guest: Nicholas Diggs, Regional Field Director, 7th Congressional District, Republican 7:00 p.m. 

October 1-8  Public Administration, Budgeting and the Legislative Process

Readings: BK Chapter 8

Selected Budget Terms (Required)

State Balanced Budget Requirements (pgs 1-4, 33)

Discussion: Why Budgeting Is Not As Boring As A Rice Cake
The Legislative Process

Guest: State Representative Dudley Spade (D-Adrian) October 8

October 15 - Midterm

The Judiciary and Justice Systems

Readings: Chapter 9 and 16, Garcia, Nesbary and Gu

Discussion: Convicts

October 22 - Local Government

Sub-national Government

Readings

BK Chapter 10

“Public Wireless Internet".  Nesbary. In G. David Garson and Mehdi Khosrow-Pour (2007). The Handbook of Research on Public Information ‘Technology,  Hershey PA: Idea Group

Discussion:  Who Cares About Local Government?

Guest: Emma Jenkins (R), Candidate 57th Legislative District, Michigan House of Representatives

October 29 -  Local Leadership

Readings: BK Chapter Eleven
City of Boston

Charles Stuart Case

Next Steps

Discussion: Legendary Mayors

Guest: Adrian City Commissioner Kirk Valentine (R-Adrian)

Campaign Planning

Another Model Campaign Plan

Presentation Planning

November 5 - State and Local Relations/Electron Review

Readings: BK Chapter Twelve
Discussion: Election Retrospective

Guest: Adrian Mayor Gary McDowell

Interactive Election Map

Obama Acceptance Speech

McCain Concession Speech

Michigan Elections

Ohio Elections

November 12 -  State and Local Tax Policy

Nesbary, Garcia (2005). “Internet Tax Policy: An International Perspective.” In Handbook of Public Information Systems, Second Edition. London, Taylor and Francis Group. (peer-reviewed)

BK Chapter Thirteen

Discussion: What If There Were No Taxes

Flat versus Graduate Taxes

State and Local Finance

Quiz Two (Attend Pero Convocation for Credit)

Analysis of Income Tax Reduction

November 19 - Policy Issues

Campaign management article (Ron Faucheux)

Readings: BK Chapters Fifteen and Sixteen

Discussion: Public Versus Private Higher Education

Guest: Dan Pero,  Political Consultant

Guest: George Cushingberry, MI State Representative, Chair, House Appropriations Committee

November 26 (No Class)

Policy Issues

Readings: BK Chapters Seventeen and Eighteen

Discussion: Gas Prices (This Should Be Good ;-)

December 3 - Presentation of Campaign Plans

Presentations Due:

December 10 Final Exam

Course Requirements

All assignments comprise 100 possible points.  Here is the breakdown:

Class Attendance (10 Points total) Attendance is required.  See attendance policy below.

Quizzes (10 Points Total)

You will be given two short format quizzes during the semester.  They will comprise 10 percent of your total grade and will be given on September 17 and November 12.  Short format quizzes include true/false, multiple choice, fill in the blank questions. More information will be provided a week prior to each quiz.

Campaign Plan (30 Points Total)   You will develop a campaign plan and present it to class.

In preparation for your campaign plan, I strongly recommend that you acquire a campaign(s) plan from a state level office holder or candidate.

Prepare a campaign budget based upon tasks outlined in the Campaign Template.  The Campaign budget should include a revenue section and an expenditure section.  The budget should be no more than two pages long and will be a part of your campaign plan.

Midterm (20 Points Total)  You will be required to complete a comprehensive midterm exam.  The exam will include essays, short answers, true/false and multiple choice questions.  Information pertaining to the midterm will be discussed approximately one week before the exam is given.

Final (30 Points Total)  You will be required to complete a comprehensive final exam.  The exam will include essays, short answers, true/false and multiple choice questions.  Information pertaining to the final will be discussed approximately one week before the exam is given.

Policies

Attendance
Attendance is required and will be taken at some point during class.   Students will receive one excused absence for any reason.  Any other absences will be considered unexcused unless 1) I am given written pre approval and 2) you receive confirmation from me that the requested absence is excused.

Guidelines for e-mail

Students With Disabilities
Qualified students with disabilities will be provided reasonable and necessary academic accommodations if determined eligible by the appropriate disability services staff at their home institution. Prior to granting disability accommodations in this course, the instructor must receive written verification of a student's eligibility for specific accommodations from the disability services staff at Adrian College. It is the student's responsibility to initiate contact with Adrian College disability services staff and to follow the established procedures for having the accommodation notice sent to the instructor.

Syllabus Changes
Political science is a dynamic subject and there may be events that occur during the course that could have significant impact on public administration and governance. It is possible that such events may require changes in the course syllabus (timing, addition or deletion of a topic, etc.). Should such action be necessary a revision of the syllabus will be posted  on my primary website as soon as possible and changes made in the course schedule and requirements.

Credits
The design of this syllabus draws heavily from those designed by the University of Tennessee Board of Regents Online Degree Programs.  An example may be found at this link.

Copyright © 2008
Dale Nesbary, Ph.D.