PAD 525, Intergovernmental ManagementText: Nice, The Politics of Intergovernmental Relations;
supplemental reserve readings. Course Description: The course is designed to give students a broad
overview of the history, current issues, and theoretical underpinnings of the
study and practice of intergovernmental management. Topics include: the
development of federalism, organizational ecology, decision making,
intergovernmental finance, the impact of public choice theory, and public policies
that are affected by intergovernmental phenomena. The course material includes
readings about the technical aspects of intergovernmental relations
(structural/legal relationships, fiscal federalism) and "IGM Variables" which
affect intergovernmental management. It also includes case studies which create a
linkage between theory and practice.
Class sessions include instructor and student presentations, whole-class
discussions, and small-group exercises. Class members are expected to attend and
to be active participants in class discussion.
Research Project: Class members will work in groups on assigned topics
related to intergovernmental policy issues. Time is set aside during class
sessions for group work and it is expected that groups will also meet outside
class. The finished product will be a paper that presents the results of an
applied research project. It is expected that the papers wille exhibit use of
course readings and in-class discussions as a foundation for research. Group
members will select a coordinator to be responsible for organizing the group
effort and evaluating each member's contribution to the group effort.
Each group will present its findings and the presentations will include a
one-page handout outline for the class. The paper will be double spaced (except
for the reference list), will use the parenthetical reference list citation format
described in Turabian's A Manual For Writers, and will include a table of
contents and section headings. Papers should not exceed 25 pages in length. All
completed papers are due the first night of presentations.
A first draft of each group's paper will be submitted for review and
comment. The first draft will include a completed literature review, development
of a conceptual foundation and a description of methodology, including rationale
for people to be contacted and interview strategies, where appropriate. The draft
will identify the individual contributions of group members.
Possible topics for papers include urban clean air requirements, the financing
of public schools, transportation, law enforcement, social welfare, medicaid,
etc.; topics for the semester will be chosen in discussion between the professor
and class members. Groups will examine, at a minimum, the following features of
their local issue: theoretical concepts, models, and linkages to course readings;
Constitutional, statutory, and/or legal basis; historical development; and
contemporary issues related to federalism, intergovernmental relations, and
intergovernmental management. Research may include interviews with principal
actors, literature review, attendance at meetings, etc.
Reading Summaries: At the beginning of each of the nine class sessions
with assigned readings, students will submit summaries of the readings, not to
exceed two double-spaced pages in length. Summaries will be graded as adequate (2
points) or inadequate (0). Adequate summaries will identify and discuss what the
class member believes to be most important ideas in the readings.
Oral Summary: On the last day of the class, class members will present
an evaluation of what they have learned during the semester. In an oral
presentation followed by a period of discussion, students will: identify key
concepts from readings, speakers, and presenations that were especially useful or
interesting to them during the course; discuss why these concepts are of value or
interest to them; and assess the semester's learning experience, including areas
that remain unclear or deserve further exploration. The oral summary will be
accompanied by a one-page outline of highlights for the class.
Threshold Writing Requirement: The ability to communicate accurately
and effectively in writing is an essential part of academic and professional
work. Since this is a university-level course and a course within a professional
degree program, there is a required threshold level of competence in writing which
preempts grading on other aspects of student performance. This means that to pass
the course, class members must in all written work use appropriate language,
structure, and citation style.
Grading: There will be 58 points possible in the course, as follows:
First draft of research paper, 10 points; 10 points for the presentation and final
paper; reading summaries, 18 points; oral summary, 10 points; class participation,
10 points. Late work accepted with a penalty.