GSPA

PAD 562, Course Syllabus PAD 562, The politics of urban management

Instructor: Richard Box, D.P.A.
Phones: (ofc) (719) 593-3485; (res) (719) 592-9659
Text: Ross, Levine, Stedman, "Urban Politics, 4th ed.; Supplemental readings on reserve in Library.

Course Description: The course combines study of urban affairs with analysis of the impact of community politics on the work of governing the community. The semester is divided into four parts: The development of cities, current problems in urban areas, community power and politics, and community governance. the text provides a discussion of urban affairs; it is supplemented by reserve materials which include articles about community politics and case studies of community governance.

Active student participation is essential to the success of the course as a learning experience and preparation for professional practice. Class members are expected to come to each class prepared to discuss two or three ideas they found particula rly interesting from each of the assigned readings, linking them if possible to a current event or issue receiving coverage in the media.

Research Paper: Class members will prepare a research paper on a course-related topic or issue of interest. The paper will use the parenthetical citation format from the Fifth Edition of Turabian's "A Manual for Writers" or the American Psy chological Association styleguide. The double-spaced text of the paper will not exceed 15 pages in length. Presentations will not exceed five minutes in length and will include a one-page handout outline for the class.

Exams: The midterm and final exams will each contain two essay questions and be worth 10 points. The take-home midterm exam will be limited in length to six double-spaced pages. Duration of the in-class final exam will be two hours; it wil l cover material from the entire semester though it will emphasize the second half.

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 progra m 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 st yle.

Grading: There will be 50 points possible in the course, as follows: Research paper proposal, 5 points; final research paper, 20 points; exams, 20 points; class participation 5 points. Late work will be accepted with a penalty.

Schedule of Classes: (Ross, Levine, and Stedman is noted as RLS)

Class # Description

1 Introduction

Part1: The development of cities.

2 Urbanization and politics: RLS 1,2,5,6

3 Holiday

4 Structures & services: RLS 4,8

Part 2: Current problems in urban areas.

5 Metropolitan Areas: RLS 9,10

6 Changes in money and power: RLS 14,15. Midterm exam distributed.

7 Speakers; race, ethnicity, and urban politics. Midterm exam due.

8 Review and discussion. Midterm exam returned

Part 3: Community power and politics

9 Control of the policy agenda: RLS 3,7

10 Elite groups: Molotch, "The City as a growth Machine"; Anglin, "Diminishing Utility": Vogel & Swanson, "The Growth Machine Versus the Antigrowth Coalition"; Maurer & Christenson, "Growth and Nongrowth."

11 Speakers; community power and politics

Part 4: Community governance

12 Roles of elected officials and professionals: Svara, "Dichotomy and Duality"; Nalbandian, "The Contemporary Role of City Managers"; Box, "Resistance to Professional Managers in American Local Government"; Ehrenhalt, "The New City manager Is"; Grabbe, "Del Castilho."

13 Cases in governance: Bridgeo & Plaisted, "Replacing the Police Chief"; Gomes, "The Unhappy Saga of a Small Town Planner"; Flentje & Counihan, "Running a 'Reformed' City."

14 Speakers on community governance.

15 Research paper presentations.

16 Research paper presentations.

17 Final Exam.

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