POLS 207 State & Local Gov't Intro & Orientation (Fall 2024) Lecture 1 PDF

POLS 207: State & Local Gov’t Introduction and Course Orientation Dr. Megan K. Dyer Texas A&M University  Course Introduction Introductions Course overview Course content introduction ...

POLS 207: State & Local Gov’t Introduction and Course Orientation Dr. Megan K. Dyer Texas A&M University  Course Introduction Introductions Course overview Course content introduction  Dr. Megan K. Dyer Rhodes College, 2007 – B.A. TAMU, 2017 – Ph.D. in Political Science Teaching courses in American Politics & Political Theory since 2013 “Professor” or “Doctor” are both appropriate titles for my role I study “republicanism” in the history of political thought Important concepts include political liberty, rule of law, public order, civic virtue, and the common good  My Objectives for This Course Deliver a solid learning experience that: Covers the course objectives Piques your interest Teaches practical civic knowledge Challenge you to think critically Consider ideas about gov’t & politics outside your “box” Analyze & evaluate information & opinions, both old and new Develop savvy citizens & community partners equipped to understand & address the problems of problems facing political community— and to contribute to its promise!  Syllabus The course syllabus is posted on Canvas & Howdy No. 1 place to look for answers! Readings, assignments, deadlines, class topics How grades work Exams & make-up information Important info also posted throughout Canvas The official course calendar of assignments, exams, deadlines, etc. will be on Canvas. The syllabus will sometimes point to material on Canvas where additional details can be found. All additions & updates will be announced via Canvas.  Readings Required Textbook Governing States & Localities, 9th edition To be on 4-hour reserve at Evans Library Other readings posted to Canvas  Course Canvas Page Here, you will find: Assignments (homework, etc.) to be submitted or recorded for a grade Supplemental materials: Overviews that list important concepts The Canvas Student app Study questions Practice & enrichment activities Lecture slides There’s an app for that! Set your course notifications Canvas email & push notifications  Packback Questions for Discussion Required ($39) …or email Packback (or me) if $$$ problems Cumulative discounts if you’ve used Packback before Counts for participation, discussion, & writing Each week: Ask 1 good, on topic question Make 2 good responses to others Link on Canvas sidebar will automatically start registration process & connect your account  Office Hours POLS is in the Allen Building (far away, near Bush Library) My office is ALLN 3057 Office hours: W 10:00am – 11:30am (Zoom) Use SSO login through your “organization” (TAMU, NetID) R 4:00 – 5:00pm (TBA)  Communications Course emails will be sent from Canvas Course announcements will be posted to Canvas (These will email to you if you have notifications set.) Emailing me? Is the answer already available somewhere? If not: Email me directly at [email protected] (not via Canvas) Put your course & section number in the subject line I will usually be able to get back to you w/in 24–48 hours Exceptions: Weekends, days of/shortly after course exams  Grades & Grading Policy Detailed in the course syllabus: Packback Posts (12; 2 dropped) 15% Weekly individual assignment Homework Assignments (12–14; 2 dropped) 20% Near-weekly individual assignments Lecture Quizzes 10% On regular lecture days Reflections (3) 5% Big-picture reflections on politics Exams (4; one of Exams 1-3 dropped) 50% Non-cumulative, ~3 weeks of material each Work to earn (& thus receive) the grade you want!  Content of this course This course covers state & local government, political processes, & resulting public policies By design, it takes a comparative approach Features Texas, but not just about the Lone Star State! State & local politics are the bases of national political power Much public policy that affects your day-to-day life is made by states & their local gov’ts.  Interacted with any state or local governments or used their services lately?  Learning about politics All students are welcome in my course, however they may self-identify. In a pluralistic society that values diversity, all should expect and respect differences in values, beliefs, & opinions We will examine many issues from multiple sides. INCLUDING: policy issues, debates over political ideas Keep a “cool head” while communicating about “hot topics.” You can learn a lot engaging in good faith with “the other side.”  Politics & decorum Practical importance of studying other points of view: Hones your skills of communication & argument Helps you compete with those less skilled Normative import of studying other points of view: Democracy requires a framework for mutual respect. A shared society requires not just co-existence but cooperation. On the other hand, treating others with different ideas as an existential threat corrodes civil discourse.  Politics & the states Politics may be defined as “who gets what, when, & how” Political power is the capacity to decide these things Political actors have different preferences about how power should be used Politics manages conflict through political institutions & processes that dictate who has power & how power is used. Constitutions Legislatures, execs., courts Parties, interest groups, elections Legislative process, procedures The U.S. states have very broad powers…  Plan for the course 1. The framework of U.S. 3. Formal decision-making states & communities at the state level Ideology & political culture Legislatures Federalism Executives & bureaucracy State constitutions State courts Revenue & budgets 4. Local government & 2. Connecting the gov’t with public policy the people Local governments Democracy “Metropolitics” Participation & voting Public policy Political parties & interest Public education groups Criminal justice What political stories are in the news this week? Interesting times in the Lone Star State 2023: 88th Texas Legislature 140 day regular session + near-unprecedented 4 special sessions Passed $321.3B biennial budget + hundreds of other laws Referred 14 constitutional amendments (13 ratified by voters) Some policy priorities of the “Big Three” did not pass E.g. school vouchers & lowering property tax appraisal caps Impeachment of A.G. Ken Paxton by House 2024: Election year; federal, state, & local races More than a few TX Republicans retiring (or got “primaried”) 2025: 89th Texas Legislature  This week Now is the time to get set up for your success Gathering necessary materials Learning how things work Initiating good habits Next class: In-depth look at course components & how they work How we compare states & localities  End Introduce yourself!