Time Schedule:
David J Olson
POL S 382
Seattle Campus
Focus on the structures, processes, and policy outputs of state governments in the United States.
Class description
Description: This course introduces students to the study of state government and politics in the U.S. It focuses on the political structures, processes, and policies of state government through a comparative analysis of the 50 states. Particular attention is paid to federalism, electoral politics, parties, interest groups, lobbying, media, the legislature, the executive, and the judiciary. The first half of the course focuses on competing theories and understandings of these concepts; the second half applies the concepts and theories to Washington State. 2004 is an election year, and we will pay important attention to Washington State elections in 2004. Several guest lecturers will be invited to the course, people active in Washington state politics and government.
Student learning goals
General method of instruction
Recommended preparation
Texts: Clayton, LeLoup, and Lovrich (eds.) Washington State Government and Politics; Seeberger, Sine Die; and Gray, Hanson, and Jacob, Politics in the American States.
Class assignments and grading
Assignments: There will be two midterm exams, and a final exam. There will be a short analytic paper. Students will also place their predictive powers on election outcomes against the instructor.
Grading. Exams: 75 % Papers: 20 % Class/quiz participation: 5 % TOTAL: 100 %
