Course Description

In this course we examine accountability and public policy in American state and local government. Put another way, we take a critical look at the practice of American democracy, the vast majority of which happens at the state and local level, rather than at the national level. State and local governments exhibit incredible variation in institutional, electoral, and policy choices. We will not only describe this variation; we will also analyze its causes and consequences and, in the process, learn how subnational governments can be used to answer “bigger” questions about politics and policy.

      

Course Learning Goals & Related Assessments

	Course Learning Goals	Corresponding Assessments to Measure Goal Achievement
1.	Understand the relative powers and responsibilities of the national, state, and local levels of government.	Lecture, Discussion, Exam, Traveling Annotation
2.	Describe how state and local governments differ in institutions, politics, and policy.	Lecture, Discussion, Exam, Traveling Annotation
3.	Explain how these differences matter for democracy and policy.	Lecture, Discussion, Exam
4.	Evaluate diverse perspectives on state policy through the lens of identity and ideology.	Lecture, Discussion, Exam
5.	Analyze Gen Z and Gen Alpha’s emerging influence in state politics and implications for political participation and representation.	Lecture, Discussion, Exam

 

Course Materials

REQUIRED TECHNOLOGY

You will need a desktop, laptop or other device capable of accessing the Internet. While I am primarily using Calendly for office hours, you can also e-mail me or set up a time to talk if my hours don’t work for you. Online office hours will be held over Zoom, if Zoom is not possible for you and you can not meet in-person please include this in your office hours request. 

Available in the Student Resource module is a link to available software licensed by Temple. 

 

REQUIRED READINGS

You do not need to purchase materials; readings available on the Canvas page as a PDF.

All readings are available through Canvas either in PDF format, URL links, or through Temple E-books. The links for the readings are in the respective modules. If you have any problems accessing the readings or Canvas, please contact me ASAP. All readings should be done prior to class.

 

Instructional Methods

This course will not have a defined meeting time, it will be fully online and asynchronous. However, lectures and assignments will be published and due each week as if this was a T/R scheduled class. I will aim to publish new lectures on Mondays and Wednesdays. Assignment due dates will follow that schedule as well.

 

Lectures are found in quizzes and their respective modules. Readings are found on module homepage. (see traveling annotation read me for reading details).

Course Communications

To facilitate communication, the university requires you to have and use an e-mail account ending in @temple.edu.

For assignment questions: Submit a response to this form. Also found in the Course Navigation under Submit Assignment Questions. There are a large number of students, this allows me to keep track of assignment questions and not et your question get lost in my email. For urgent questions schedule office hours or use the inbox/mail feature within Canvas, again this prevents your question from getting lost. 

Announcements: I use announcements to introduce weekly topics and extra credit. I expect/assume you to read announcements; if specific assignment details are in announcements they will not be valid excuses for late work. 

   

Course Technology Requirements

You will need the following to participate fully in the course:

• A computer and/or tablet with high-speed Internet access. A smartphone alone will not be sufficient.

  Recommended Internet Speed: 8mbps download & 5mbps upload. You can test your connection at https://www.speedtest.net. Please note: Hard-wired connections are more consistent than Wi-Fi for Zoom sessions.

• A web-enabled video camera and microphone.

• Access to Temple University’s Canvas site and email server.

• Microsoft Office. A free copy is available to you at https://its.temple.edu/office-365

  

This course requires the use of Canvas, including access to materials and assignment submission. Some videos posted via Canvas will require the use of speakers. The instructor may utilize web-conferencing tools to deliver synchronous material. In order to participate in synchronous sessions (should they exist), you should have a computer, a webcam, headphones, and a microphone.

Students should check their Temple email daily in case of course updates. 

All students are required to comply with  Temple University’s Computer and Network Security Policies.

Limited resources are available for students who do not have the technology they need for class. Students with educational technology needs, including no computer or camera or insufficient Wi-Fi access, should submit a Student Technology Assistance Application in TUPortal and linked from the Dean of Students Support and Resources webpage. The university will endeavor to meet needs, such as with a long-term loan of a laptop or Wifi device, a refurbished computer, or subsidized internet access. The Affordable Connectivity Program is available to purchase discounted internet services and devices for qualified individuals. 

On-campus computer labs are available for student use. Here is a list of all of these labs: https://its.temple.edu/computer-labs.

Note that technology resources are available for students, including laptop and battery share. Some software is available for free download on the ITS Academic Support page. Other specialty software may be available for remote access through ITS.

 

Statement on Recording and Distribution of Class [Sessions]

You should not recreate or redistribute course lectures, this includes screen recording lectures or posting images or excerpts of lectures to social media. Office hour meetings should not be video recorded although if you find it useful to audio record office hour meetings for your future reference feel free to do so.

You should not post any potentially identifiable information about your classmates without their explicit permission. 

Statement on the Use of Generative AI in This Course

You are responsible for the information you submit based on an AI query (for instance, that it does not violate intellectual property laws, or contain misinformation or unethical content). Your use of AI tools must be properly documented and cited in order to stay within university policies on academic honesty.

The use of generative AI tools is permitted in this course for the following activities:

• Brainstorming and refining your ideas;
• Fine tuning your research questions;
• Finding information on your topic;
• Drafting an outline to organize your thoughts; and
• Checking grammar and style.

The use of generative AI tools is not permitted in this course for the following activities:

• Impersonating you in classroom contexts, such as by using the tool to compose discussion board prompts assigned to you or content that you put into a Zoom chat.
• Completing group work that your group has assigned to you, unless it is mutually agreed upon that you may utilize the tool.
• Writing a draft of a writing assignment.
• Writing entire sentences, paragraphs or papers to complete class assignments.

 

Grading Scale

Grading Scale

A Range	B Range	C Range	D Range	F Range
A  93 - 100	B+ 87 - 89.49	C+ 77 - 79.49	D+ 67 - 69.49	F 0 - 54
A- 90 - 92.49	B  83 - 86	C  73 - 76	D  63 - 66
	B- 80 - 82.49	C- 70 - 72.49	D- 55 - 62.49

 

C- or better is usually required to fulfill certain requirements, however, contact your advisor or department undergraduate coordinator about specific major requirements. 

Your grade in this course will be determined as follows (Course Weighting):

Quizzes (2-Midterm and Final) 15%

Lectures (Weekly) 35%

Traveling Annotation (2) 30%

Module Discussions (4) 20%

 

Total = 100%

 

Assignment Descriptions

Discussion Board Participation (20%)(4)

You are expected to participate in discussions on Canvas, and you will be graded on the quality of your contributions to the discussion. Your contributions should reflect preparation: you should have completed any assigned reading show engagement with the material in the reading and lecture.

For each discussion prompt, please respond in a thoughtful post of at least 200 words that demonstrates your understanding. Also, leave at least two child comments beneath your classmates' comments. If you post early you may need to come back. To continue with the discussion.

 

Lectures (35%) (Weekly)

 Lectures will range in total length but will be available to view in segments (meaning you will not have to complete the lectures in one sitting although that is an option). Readings should be completed prior to lectures.

 It is easy in an asynchronous course to be disengaged with the material and learning process. To avoid disengagement and allow me to offer timely feedback we will use the Quiz function on Canvas. Questions throughout the lectures will usually be multiple choice or short answers

(graded in Lecture Discussions).

 

Exams (15%)(2 Midterm and Final)

There will be two Exams during the semester worth 20 points each, worth 1% of your final grade. These exams may consist of multiple choice, short answer, or other forms of response questions. The exams will usually have at least one essay question that requires a longer response. You can expect any material covered in the course up until that point. Exams will be administered via Canvas, and you will need to complete them within a designated time window. You will be allowed to use any notes or other materials you wish, but you must work alone, and your written responses must be your own, original work.

Beware: Exams are not able to be submitted multiple times but lectures (also taken in the Quiz function in Canvas are). Additionally, exams (but not lectures) are timed 90 minutes. They will be open for one week.

Traveling Annotation Assignment (30%)(2)

 As a group, you will collaborate to closely annotate a provided article. The goal is to engage deeply with the text and build a shared understanding through thoughtful, detailed annotation.

A detailed assignment description is found in Traveling Annotation (Read Me) page found in modules.

  

Due Dates - These are subject to change.

To be safe you should refer to the posted Canvas assignment.

Discussions (9/11;9/25; 10/30; 11/13)

Traveling Annotations (10/2 & 10/14 ; 11/20 & 12/2)

Exams (10/18 ; 12/11)

Course Minimum Grade

Although D- is a passing grade, a minimum grade of C- is required in General Education courses and, in many programs, courses required by the major.

For more information, please see Temple University's Academic Policies on Grades and Grading.

 

General Policies

All Temple University Academic Policies will be upheld.

The General Education Policies and Requirements details program expectations.

   

Attendance and Your Health

Students must attend and participate in classes according to their instructors’ requirements to achieve course learning goals. If you feel unwell or are under quarantine or in isolation because you have tested positive for the coronavirus, you should not come to campus or attend in-person classes or activities.

It is the student’s responsibility to contact their instructors to create a plan for participation and engagement in the course as soon as they can do so and to make a plan to complete all assignments in a timely fashion when illness delays their completion.

 

Incomplete

A student will be eligible for a grade of “Incomplete” only if the student: 1) has completed at least 51% of the work at a passing level, 2) is unable to complete the work for a serious reason beyond their control, and 3) files a signed agreement with the instructor outlining the work to be completed and the time frame in which that work will be completed. The student is responsible for initiating this process and all incomplete forms must be sent to the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs prior to the start of study days in that semester.  

Please refer to the following for further details: Temple University’s Incomplete Policy. (Policy #02.10.13). 

  

Withdrawal from the Course

If a student wishes to withdraw from a course, it is the student’s responsibility to meet the deadline for the last day to withdraw from the current semester.

See Temple University's Academic Calendar for withdrawing deadlines and consult the University policy on Withdrawals (Policy # 02.10.14). 

  

Statement on Academic Rights & Responsibilities

Freedom to teach and freedom to learn are inseparable facets of academic freedom. The University has a policy on Student and Faculty Academic Rights and Responsibilities (Policy #03.70.02).

   

Academic Honesty

According to the University Student Code of Conduct, students must not commit, attempt to commit, aid, encourage, facilitate, or solicit the commission of academic dishonesty and impropriety including plagiarism, academic cheating, and selling lecture notes or other information provided by an instructor without the instructor’s authorization. Violations may result in failing the assignment and/or failing the course, and/or other sanctions as enumerated in the University Code of Conduct.

 

 

Netiquette and Class Conduct Expectations

It is important to foster a respectful and productive learning environment that includes all students in our diverse community of learners. Our differences, some of which are outlined in the University's nondiscrimination statement, will add richness to this learning experience. Therefore, all opinions and experiences, no matter how different or controversial they may be perceived, must be respected in the tolerant spirit of academic discourse.

Treat your classmates and instructor with respect in all communication, class activities, and meetings. You are encouraged to comment, question, or critique an idea, but you are not to attack an individual. Please consider that sarcasm, humor, and slang can be misconstrued in online interactions and generate unintended disruptions. Profanity should be avoided as should the use of all capital letters when composing responses in discussion threads, which can be construed as “shouting” online. Remember to be careful with your own and others' privacy. In general, have your behavior mirror how you would like to be treated by others.

For more information, please visit https://diversity.temple.edu/.

We will be discussing issues in this class that are both controversial and sensitive. It is expected that you treat other students with respect; it is totally appropriate to disagree with and challenge points made by other students and by the instructor. In fact, this is part of the educational process and part of a democratic system. However, personal attacks will not be tolerated. This applies to class discussions and group activities.

In the rare case you feel I have acted/spoken insensitively when lecturing, please email me.

Disability Disclosure Statement

Any student who has a need for accommodation based on the impact of a documented disability should contact Disability Resources and Services (DRS), Ritter Annex 100, (215) 204-1280 or 215-204-1786 (TTY) or drs@temple.edu, to make arrangements.  If you have a DRS accommodation letter to share with me, or you would like to discuss your accommodations, please contact the instructor as soon as practical. I will work with you and with DRS to coordinate reasonable accommodations for all students with documented disabilities. Accommodations are not retroactive. All discussions related to your accommodations will be confidential.

 
Information regarding accessibility for additional technologies is provided below:  

• Canvas
• Zoom
• VoiceThread
• GoogleDrive
• Outlook
• Sharepoint

  

Technical Support 

For a listing of technical support services available to Temple University students, see the Tech Support page.

 

Live Chat or Request Help:  tuhelp.temple.edu.

Phone: 215-204-8000

Email:  help@temple.edu

Website: its.temple.edu

Location: The TECH Center, Room 106

Get Temple Software here (including Adobe): https://cphapps.temple.edu/wiki/it/office/applications

 

Academic and Support Services

Temple University provides a variety of services to support you throughout your studies. Please take a moment to view these by visiting the Academic Support Services page.

The following academic support services are available to students:

• Student Success Center
• University Libraries
• Undergraduate Research Support
• Career Center
• Tuttleman Counseling Services
• Disability Resources and Services

  
If you are experiencing food insecurity or financial struggles, Temple provides resources and support. Notably, theTemple University Cherry Pantry and the Temple University Emergency Student Aid Program are in operation as well as a variety of resources from the Division of Student Affairs. 

      

Continuity of Instruction in the Event of Emergency

Students are to register for the TUAlert System to be made aware of University closures due to weather or other emergency situations and follow all additional university-wide emergency instructions. Students can register for this system on the Campus Safety Services website. Students registered for the class will be alerted to any alternate testing procedures and submission of assignment requirements from the instructor via email.

Please note that online classes are generally not affected by campus closures.  

  

Privacy Policy

Please see the links below to become familiar with the privacy policies for each of the following: 

• Temple University
• Canvas Instructure
• Zoom

    

Course Schedule

Key Dates: 

Because there are no scheduled class meetings days where no classes are held are not necessarily observed. You will not have any due dates on days with no scheduled classes but you are responsible for observing appropriately (completing assignments). 

9/9 Last day to drop

10/11 No classes held

11/28-12/1 No classes held

12/9 Last day to Withdraw

This is just an outline. Weekly topics are subject to change.

Module 1

1. Colonies
2. Federalism
3. State checks and Deference

Module 2

1. State cooperation and competition 
2. Local governments
3. Executive branch and tribal governments

Module 3

1. Interest groups & Elections, participation and trusts
2. Elections participation and direct democracy
3. State legislatures

Module 4

1. Democracy 
2. Criminal justice - state judiciary 

Module 5

1. Social welfare - Fiscal
2. New Politics: Climate change and technology

“Module” 6

1. Reflection

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