Time Schedule:
Kenneth M Leek
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. Particular attention will be paid to the recent legislative and gubernatorial elections in Washington State.
Student learning goals
General method of instruction
Recommended preparation
Texts. Nice, Pierce, and Sheldon, Government and Politics in the Evergreen State; Seeberger, Sine Die; and Gray, Hanson, and Jacob, Politics in the American States.
Class assignments and grading
Assignments. There will be one midterm exam, one short (5-8-page) policy paper, and a final exam. Students have the option of writing a final research paper in place of the final.
Grading. Exams: 75 % Papers: 25 % TOTAL: 100 %
