NOTE:  This is an unofficial copy of the syllabus and is provided for general information ONLY.  The official copy is available to students enrolled in the class on the Home Page in WebCT VISTA.

PS 493L: American Federalism and Policy

West Virginia University Fall 2005

Lucinda A. Potter, Senior Lecturer
E-mail address: Lucinda.Potter@mail.wvu.edu
301H Woodburn Hall
304-293-3811 extension 5274
Office Hours: Mondays & Thursdays 10 AM to noon & 1 PM to 3 PM
and by appointment
August 22, 2005

Course Objectives:

This web-based course is designed to provide you with a thorough understanding of federalism and its role in the American political system. It examines federalism's philosophical justifications, the Framers' views on federalism as an organizational solution to the dilemma of how to prevent governmental tyranny, the centralization of governmental authority over time, the court's role in shaping the relationships among the national (federal), state, and local governments, and the contemporary debate over what those governmental relationships should be, using American welfare policy and American transportation policy as case studies of what happens when programmatic authority is shifted from the national (federal) government to states.

This course is appropriate for students from all academic disciplines that are interested in learning about the American political system. As a 400 level course, students are expected to have some, but not extensive, knowledge of American politics and the structure and operations of state and local governments. Although not a formal requirement, students without any knowledge of American politics and governance structures are advised to take POLS 102 before taking this course.

Course Requirements:

This course is presented in a series of learning units. Each learning unit includes links to assigned readings and a clearly defined list of assignments, including due dates. When appropriate, the learning units also include a list of key terms, phrases and/or topics that must be mastered and instructions on how to find web sites relevant to the topic.

The learning units should be done sequentially (Unit 1 first, Unit 2 second, etc.). All seven (7) learning units must be completed and submitted in order to pass the class, regardless of the cumulative number of points earned on assignments.

Students are also expected to actively participate in class using the Discussion tool on the WebCT VISTA class Home Page.  Periodically through the semester, national news items or articles of interest will be referenced in these discussions.  Students are encouraged to regularly scan national news sources (such as The New York Times, The Washington Post, and at least one of the major wire services) for current events that have implications for the relationship across and among the various levels of government (federal, state and local).

  Technical Requirements:

In addition to an Internet browser, you need an e-mail account to send your assignments. Use your “mix” e-mail account to send your assignments. Because e-mail attachments occasionally become corrupt in transit, you should send your assignments both as an attachment (preferably in Microsoft Word or Corel WordPerfect) and in "cut and paste" form within the body of your e-mail.  If you use a Mac, save your assignments in RTF format so that I can read them.  When you e-mail assignments to me, put your name, the name of the class, the assignment number and the semester in the subject line and at the top of any documents you attach (for example, Jane Doe PS493L Learning Unit 1 Fall 2005) so that I will see it right away.  Use the return receipt feature that is available in "mix". The return receipt feature provides you a means to be sure that your assignment has been received.  You can generally expect me to pick up assignments within a day or two except for weekends and holidays.  I will let you know that your assignment has been received and has not become corrupt in transit by responding with a return e-mail to you. If you do not hear from me within a day or two (except for weekends and holidays), your assignment did not reach me. Send another copy immediately.

Throughout the semester, I will be placing readings, announcements, notes of clarification, and grades in WebCT VISTA.  To access these, you will need to be certain to enter the electronic classroom regularly.  Detailed instructions are available at http://vistainfo.wvu.edu/students.html .  Be certain to do a browser check-up so that you will be able to see and access all the features in WebCT VISTA.

Please activate your "mix" account and make it a practice to check "mix" e-mail regularly.  This is where I will send feedback on your assignments and special individual instructions.  If you have a technical problem or cannot activate your account, contact the OIT Help Desk by phone at 304-293-4444 extension 1 or on line at http://oit.wvu.edu/support/helpdesk/index.html .

You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to download some of the assigned readings. Download it for free at http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/alternate.html .

Grading:

Your course grade will be based on the total number of points earned. You can earn up to 100 points for each learning unit and up to 100 points for class participation.

Missing Assignment Due Dates:

It is your responsibility to be sure that assignments arrive on time. All work must be received by the end of the day at midnight on the due date. Late work will be penalized! 

If you fail to complete an assignment by the due date without a valid, approved absence (i.e., confirmation of a legitimate, serious medical illness or confirmation of a death in the immediate family, etc.) you can turn in your assignment at a later date, but your grade will be penalized. The longer the time interval involved, the larger the penalty.  Late assignments will be penalized the equivalent of a full letter grade for each day that has passed since the assignment due date. It is your responsibility to complete the assignments and to turn them in on time.  If you know you have a condition or commitment that will prevent you from handing in an assignment on time, please let me know by the end of the second week of class.  Absolutely NO assignments will be accepted after the last day of class on December 9, 2005.  

WVU recognizes the diversity of its students and the needs of those who wish to participate in Days of Special Concern, which are listed in the Schedule of Courses. Any student should notify me by the end of the second week of class regarding Day of Special Concern observances that will affect your ability to participate in class. I will make reasonable accommodations for any assignment or announcement a student misses as a result of observing a Day of Special Concern.

Required Textbooks and How to Get Them:

Robert Jay Dilger, Eleanor Blakely, Melissa Latimer, Barry Locke, F. Carson Mencken, L. Christopher Plein, Lucinda Potter, and David Williams, Welfare Reform in West Virginia ( Morgantown , WV : West Virginia University Press, 2004). ISBN 0-937058-82-3

Laurence J. O'Toole, Jr. (ed.), American Intergovernmental Relations, 3rd edition ( Washington , DC : Congressional Quarterly Press, 2000). ISBN 1-56802-405-3

David B. Walker, The Rebirth of Federalism, 2nd edition (NY: Chatham House Publishers, 2000). ISBN 1-56643-074-7

The textbooks are available for purchase at the West Virginia University Book Store on the downtown campus. You can also order the textbooks directly from the publisher by clicking on the following direct links:

Robert Jay Dilger, Welfare Reform in West Virginia ($30.00 plus shipping)

Laurence J. O'Toole, Jr., American Intergovernmental Relations ($49.95 plus shipping)

David B. Walker, The Rebirth of Federalism ($33.95 plus shipping)

Office Hours:

My office is located in Woodburn Hall 301H. My office hours are from 10 AM to 12 noon and 1 PM to 3 PM on Mondays and Thursdays.

If you need to speak with me but can not see me during my office hours, please call me for an appointment at 304-293-3811 extension 5274 or send me an e-mail at Lucinda.Potter@mail.wvu.edu

Students are my top priority. Do not hesitate to call, to e-mail, or to drop by the office to discuss class business.

Statement on Social Justice:

West Virginia University is committed to social justice. I concur with that commitment and expect to foster a nurturing learning environment based upon open communication, mutual respect, and non-discrimination. The University does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, age, disability, veteran status, religion, sexual orientation, color or national origin. Any suggestions as to how to further such a positive and open environment in this class will be appreciated and given serious consideration.

I will foster a learning environment based on open communication, mutual respect, and non-discrimination. Any person that feels that this commitment is not being met should contact me immediately. Also, if you are a person with a disability and anticipate needing any type of accommodation to participate in this class please advise me and, if necessary, make any appropriate arrangements with Disability Services (293-6700).

Special Notice:

Students enrolled in web-based courses at West Virginia University are subject to special fees. Please see the Office of Extended Learning web site at http://www.elearn.wvu.edu/ for further information.

Assignments and Course Schedule:

Learning Unit 1: The Philosophical Origins of American Federalism

Unit 1 assignment due Friday September 2, 2005

Learning Unit 2: Can the States be Trusted?  The Historical Development of Federalism

Unit 2 assignment due Friday September 16, 2005

Learning Unit 3: The Courts as Umpires of the Federal System

Unit 3 assignment due Friday September 30, 2005

Learning Unit 4: Are the States Laboratories of Democracy? Policy Diffusion Studies

Unit 4 assignment due Friday October 14, 2005

Learning Unit 5: The Pros and Cons of Federal Mandates and Preemptions

Unit 5 assignment due Friday October 28, 2005

Learning Unit 6: Federalism in Action:  Social Welfare Policy

Unit 6 assignment due Friday November 18, 2005

Learning Unit 7: Federalism in Action:  Transportation Policy

Unit 7 assignment due Friday December 9, 2005