Fall 2011 Time and Location

Tuesdays 3:00pm-4:55pm, Thursdays 4:05pm-4:55pm

101 Anderson Hall

Description and Goals

While many casual observers of American politics are somewhat familiar with the issues, institutions, and actors that define our national government and politics, many are unaware of what goes on at the state and local level. It is at these lower tiers of the American federal system where the majority of decisions that most directly affect our daily lives are made. In POS 2112, students will learn how the state and local political framework is structured within the American federal system and how it functions as a pluralistic system comprised of various individual and group interests.

Key topics include federalism, voting and elections, direct democracy, political parties, interest groups, legislatures, governors, courts, and local governments. To augment our discussion of the facts and figures associated with state and local government in the United States, we will examine contemporary problems and issues, such as the impact of the current economic downturn on state and local governments, post 9-11 and post-Hurricane Katrina reforms at the state and local level, and questions about social issues, education, health care, and immigration. We will also discuss other topics such as citizen involvement in politics, state and local budgets, taxes, and wages, and upcoming elections and ballot measures. We will pay special attention to the government and politics of the State of Florida, Alachua County, and the City of Gainesville, using these more immediate entities as examples of the circumstances most common across America’s varied states and communities.

Syllabus

The Fall 2011 syllabus is available here.

Required Text

Donovan, Todd, Christopher Z. Mooney, and Daniel A. Smith. 2011. State & Local Politics: Institutions and Reform, 2nd Edition. Boston: Wadsworth.

Important Dates

First Day of Class: August 23 (3:00pm, 101 Anderson Hall)

Drop/Add Ends: August 26

Withdrawal, All Courses (25% Refund): September 16

Exam 1: September 27

Exam 2: October 27

Last Day to Withdraw from UF (W): November 21

Thanksgiving (NO CLASS): November 24

Last Day of Class: December 6

Exam 3: December 12 (12:30-2:30pm)

Essay Due Dates: Included in Course Schedule on Syllabus