2010 Spring POLSCI 179-01
Bulletin Course Description Intensive comparative examination of government, political cultures, and politics in the American States, including institutions (governors, legislatures, courts), history of federalism, policies, practices, and diverse cultural factors such as class, race, ethnicity, gender, religion, urban-rural-suburban residencies that affect state politics. Instructor: Haynie
(Instructor named in bulletin description above may not be current. For current instructor, see listing below.)
Title US COMPARATIVE STATE POLITICS Department POLSCI Course Number 2010 Spring 179 Section Number 01 Primary Instructor Haynie,Kerry L Prerequisites
Synopsis of course content
Political scientists often say that the American states are a natural laboratory for research. The states represent 50 units of analysis with broadly similar political institutions and structures, but with significant and limited variation on a range of social, policy, and institutional characteristics that are directly relevant to many of our theories of politics. Unlike the examination of single units of government, or single governmental institutions such as the U.S. Congress or the U.S. Supreme Court, there is enough variation across states in these characteristics for scholars to conduct a variety of studies using a variety of methodologies. While the states have always played a critical role in the politics and policies of the nation, over the past four decades, we have witnessed an amazing and unprecedented resurgence of the states in terms of political power, institutional capacity, and policy responsibility. This course will primarily focus upon the comparative study of state politics and policymaking. Comparative analytical methods will be used to analyze political behavior, political institutions, and public policy across the states.
Textbooks
Gray, Virginia, and Russell L. Hanson. 2004. Politics in the American States: A Comparative Analysis. Washington, D.C.: CQ Press.
TBA
Exams
1 midterm
1 final
Term Papers
1 20-25 page paper
Grade to be based on
1 midterm
1 final
1 20-25 page paper
