SUFFOLK COMMUNITY COLLEGE

DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SCIENCES

COURSE OUTLINE

Instructor: ` Course: State and Local Politics and Government

Catalog #: PO 20 Mon/Wed Semester:

TEXTBOOK AND MATERIALS: REQUIRED

-- Smith, Kevin B., Alan Greenblatt and John Burtin. Governing States and Localities. Washington D. C.

CQ Press, 2005

-- Hacker, Diana A Pocket Style Manual. 4th ed Boston: Bedford Books, 2004 (if you do not own a writing manual)

-- Recommended Reading: Newsday & additional sources. Stateline.org

-- Recommended Viewing: Local TV news broadcasts and additional specials

Objectives of the Course:

Students will be able to:

1. Define political terminology.

2. Identify how human behavior and cultural diversity impact state and local government policy.

3. Identify the responsibilities, institutions, and structures of state and local government.

4. Identify the processes of state and local government institutions.

5. Identify the various components of the political environment and explain their potential impact on the political process.

6. Demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between the states, their local governments, and the national government.

Procedures for Accomplishing These Objectives:

1. A procedure will be stressed throughout the semester that will be problem-centered. The student's task will be to learn, to question, defend and attack particular positions and solve problems through open dialogue. The text and current events regarding state and local governments will be used as a basis for the exercises.

2. The instructor will provide the students with lectures designed to broaden a sense of understanding.

(Take Notes!)

3. Broad topics will be presented through lectures, audio/visual aids, maps, films, etc.

Student Requirements:

1. Read the assigned chapter(s) in the textbook or handouts.

2. Complete exams and assignments. More than one late exam will result in an automatic ten point reduction on make-up test grade. If a student is absent on the day of an exam, he/she must take a make-up exam during my office hours or during the common hour (Wed. 11:00 - 12:15). All assignments are due in class. Late Assignments – 10 % reduction per class and assignments will not be accepted past one class after due date. Quizzes will not be accepted past one class after due date.

3. Participate in informal classroom discussions.

4. Complete Presentation.

5. Complete all reviews within given time guidelines.

Grading Formula:

100-90 = A, 89-85 = B+, 84-80 = B, 79-75 = C+, 74-70 = C, 69-65 = D+, 64-60 = D, 59-0 = F

The instructor respects the grading and withdrawal procedures as indicated in the College Catalog. Each individual will be graded accordingly. No arbitrary curve will be used.

Grading: Exams (3) = 300 points

Outline = 10 points

Presentation = 40 points

Election Log = 50 points

Newsbriefs = 50 points

Reaction Paper = 50 points

500 points

Special Needs: Any student requiring special needs must inform the instructor the first week of

classes and follow college procedures.

Withdrawal Policy: March 20 - last day to withdraw and receive a guaranteed “W.” Please notify me if you

withdraw from class

Any student that does not complete the course must officially withdraw from the course or will receive an “F” as a grade.

Class Attendance Policy:

The College expects that each student will exercise personal responsibility with regard to class attendance. All students are expected to attend every class session of each course for which they are registered. Students are responsible for all that transpires in class whether or not they are in attendance. The College defines excessive absence or lateness as more than the equivalent of one week of class meetings during the semester. Excessive absence or lateness may lead to failure in a course or removal from the class roster. A student may be removed from the class roster by an instructor at any time when in the judgment of the instructor absences have been excessive or when other valid reasons exist. Any student with excessive absences can also receive a ten point reduction on final grade. Any student leaving the class room during class time is not to return and can be given a recorded absence. Class dates that are mandatory are listed in the course outline. Any student absent on these days will receive a ten point reduction per day.

Beepers are for emergency service personnel only and are to be on "vibrator" position. If you are subject to emergencies, sit as close to the door as possible to minimize disruption of your fellow students. No cell phones are to be on during class.

Any exceptions to the above must be approved by the instructor.

Office Location: Southampton Building - Room 210 Phone Number: 451-4372 Secretary - 451-4344

E-mail: langj@sunysuffolk.edu

PLEASE!!! Contact the secretary or myself if you are unable to attend class!

Class Schedule:

Date/Day: Chapter/Topic:

8/30 Wed Introduction

9/4 Mon Labor Day - NO CLASSES

9/6 Wed Chapter 1

9/11 Mon Chapter 2 Federalism

9/13 Wed Chapter 2 Federalism

9/18 Mon Chapter 3 Constitutions

9/20 Wed Chapter 4 Political Culture

9/25 Mon Chapter 5 Parties & Interest Groups Newsbrief due

9/27 Wed Chapter 5 Parties & Interest Groups

10/2 Mon YOM KIPPUR - NO CLASSES

10/4 Wed EXAM #1

10/9 Mon Chapter 6 Legislatures

10/11 Wed Chapter 6 Legislatures

10/16 Mon Chapter 7 Governors

10/18 Wed Chapter 7 Governors

10/23 Mon Chapter 8 Courts

10/25 Wed Chapter 8 Courts Newsbrief due

10/30 Mon Chapter 9 Bureaucracy

11/1 Wed Film

11/6 Mon EXAM #2

11/7 Tues Chapter 10 Local Government

11/8 Wed Chapter 10 Local Government Election Log due

11/13 Mon Chapter 11 Finance

11/15 Wed Chapter 11 Finance

11/20 Mon Chapter 14 Health & Welfare Reaction Paper due

11/22 Wed THANKSGIVING RECESS - NO CLASSES

11/27 Mon Chapter 14 Health & Welfare Outline due

11/29 Wed Discussion

12/4 Mon EXAM #3

12/6 Wed Presentations: Mandatory Attendance

12/11 Mon Presentations: Mandatory Attendance

12/13 Wed Presentations: Mandatory Attendance

12/18 Mon Presentations: Mandatory Attendance

All written assignments must be typed, double spaced, and 12 point type is to be used. Check grammar and spelling before submitting your work.

Presentations

Each student will select a proposed bill, a law, an issue, a policy, a department, or an elected person from within any state or local government and give a five-minute presentation on the selected topic. Highlight the goals, the successes, the failures, difficulties, etc. All topics must be pre-approved and a reference page of three or more properly cited sources used must be submitted at the time of the presentation. Do not use the text or encyclopedias as a reference. Presentations are not to be read, but given in a speech format. Only note cards may be used during the presentation. A brief outline must be submitted on assigned date. The reference page should follow this format:

Name:

Class: (include days and hour)

Topic:

References: Be sure to properly cite all references.

(Submit at the time of presentation)

All references must be from legitimate sources and represent diverse perspectives.

Further instructions will be given later in the semester.

ELECTION LOG - Each student will collect an article on both gubernatorial candidates each week from October 1 through November 8, evaluate and give a summary of each candidate. Try to vary the sources and gain a broad perspective on the issues involved.

NEWSBRIEFS - Each student will select three (3) articles for the first assignment and two (2) for the second assignment, properly cite the source and give a brief summary of the issue involved. State your reaction to the issue and your reason(s) for your conclusions. Sources may include stateline.org., Newsday, New York Times, or any local newspaper. All articles used must be current. Be sure to vary the sources and the states for each article.

REACTION PAPER - An article(s) will be given in class for each student to evaluate. Further instructions will follow.