GVPT 479L Seminar in American Politics: Local Politics and Government Spring, 2018 M, W: 2:00-3:15, Taliaferro Hall, Room 1101 Instructor Dr. Richard N. Engstrom Email: Office: Institute for Governmental Service and Research, 4321 Hartwick Road, Suite 208 Phone: 301-405-3997 Office Hours: Mondays, 12 – 1:30 (and by appointment) Course Description This course is an introduction to local government and politics in the U.S. context. We will explore the evolution of local jurisdictions, particularly cities, and the politics that goes into local level decision making. At the end of the course you will have a better idea of the challenges faced by localities, as well as the different outcomes associated with different choices about local governance. You will also be able to develop informed opinions about how local governments can and do adapt to political and policy challenges, and conduct a short research project on the topic. Classes will take place on Mondays and Wednesdays, and will involve both discussions led by the instructor and presentations by students. The subject of the discussions will be the readings for the week, the media supplements assigned most weeks, and relevant additional topics as they come up. Your active participation in this seminar is important both for both the quality of the discussions and for your grade in this class. Grades This class will assess you based on the following: Performance on two tests (25% each, for a total of 50%) Performance on a seminar presentation (10%) Performance on final paper (30%) Quality of participation in seminar discussions (10%)
GVPT 479L Seminar in American Politics: Local Politics and Government Spring, 2018 M, W: 2:00-3:15, Taliaferro Hall, Room 1101 Instructor Dr. Richard N. Engstrom Email: Office: Institute for Governmental Service and Research, 4321 Hartwick Road, Suite 208 Phone: 301-405-3997 Office Hours: Mondays, 12 – 1:30 (and by appointment) Course Description This course is an introduction to local government and politics in the U.S. context. We will explore the evolution of local jurisdictions, particularly cities, and the politics that goes into local level decision making. At the end of the course you will have a better idea of the challenges faced by localities, as well as the different outcomes associated with different choices about local governance. You will also be able to develop informed opinions about how local governments can and do adapt to political and policy challenges, and conduct a short research project on the topic. Classes will take place on Mondays and Wednesdays, and will involve both discussions led by the instructor and presentations by students. The subject of the discussions will be the readings for the week, the media supplements assigned most weeks, and relevant additional topics as they come up. Your active participation in this seminar is important both for both the quality of the discussions and for your grade in this class. Grades This class will assess you based on the following: Performance on two tests (25% each, for a total of 50%) Performance on a seminar presentation (10%) Performance on final paper (30%) Quality of participation in seminar discussions (10%)
gvpt479l_engstrom_spring_2018_0.docx