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Room: CA227
6-8:40 p.m.
INSTRUCTOR:
Ramla M. Bandele, Ph.D.
Cavanaugh Hall, Rm. 503F
Office Hours: Tuesday 1:30 - 3 p.m.
Or by Appt.
CONTACT INFO: rbandele@iupui.edu
274-1463 (ofc phone)
Goals:
This class is designed to familiarize students with the mechanics of urban politics, surveying the formal political structures, actors and ongoing political issues in cities, towns, urban counties and their intergovernmental relationships with the state government. It also looks at the informal interactions between government units, actors and taxpayers, including insight as to how the institutions of government interact, compete and resolve funding problems and other metropolitan issues. Our investigation will include an evaluation of business, citizen and grassroots activism and concerns. The primary goals are to provide students with a working knowledge of urban politics, how power is pursued, gained and maintained in cities and metropolitan areas. The most important goal is to enable observe, analyze and participate in their own city and metropolitan governments.
Requirements:
Regular attendance & punctuality are necessary to pass the course.
While completing assigned reading is important to understanding the material covered, it is also important to hear guest speakers and participate in lectures and class discussions. Material from readings, lectures, guest speakers as well as videos will be covered on exams.
Participation is important to passing this course. Participation includes asking questions about lectures and reading material; it also includes participation in simulations. You will find that discussing issues raised in class or the readings will help you to better understand material and also will give you enriched insight that may prove useful in answering essay questions on exams.
Writing a scholarly paper on a topic in urban politics is important in passing this class. Your paper is due on Dec. 3 rd at class time. No extensions. By the term
“scholarly,” I mean that your paper must be written in a political science research format.
In political science, we pose a question about a particular topic, do thorough research on

2 the topic to answer the question, analyze our findings and then discuss what we have learned. A political science paper includes citations and a bibliography written in an accepted format such as found in the APA style manual. The bibliography does not just contain book titles, it is supposed to tell readers the books and articles that you actually read in order to understand your topic and answer your question.
Note that the paper should demonstrate that you actually read the materials - especially those that you have cited in your paper –that you listed in the bibliography. We will discuss more the requirements for your paper in class. More than likely, a paper written in another class will not meet the criteria of a political science paper in urban politics. The political science reference librarian will do a presentation on how to do research and what are acceptable sources. It is highly recommended that you attend that class meeting.
Exams must be successfully completed on the dates scheduled in order to pass this course.
Note that exams will not be rescheduled unless the appropriate documentation is presented to justify an absence. An example of appropriate documentation would be a doctor’s confirmation in writing of an illness and the need for hospitalization or bed rest.
Working overtime, time mismanagement issues or heavy class loads are not acceptable
reasons for missing exams.
There will be one make-up exam scheduled later in the semester for those with excused absences . Exams will include definitions, short answers, as well as essay questions. The final will be a “take home” exam and must be turned in at the same time that the final is listed in the registrar’s final exam schedule.
Your performance will be graded in the following manner:
Assessment Procedures:
Your final grade will be determined by your attendance/class participation, writing assignments and exams.
Class attendance/participation – 50 points
Term Paper – 100 points – due Dec. 3 rd beginning of class
Exam #1 – 100 points – Oct. 15th
Final Exam – 100 points - take home, due Dec. 17 th by 5:30 p.m.
NO EXTENSIONS
Thus there is a total of 350 points that you will be able to earn; you must earn at least
252 points (72%) to receive a grade of C. The complete grade scale will be provided.
NOTE: Students must let me know about any religious holidays for which you plan to request approved absences. Please consult the student handbook with regard to plagiarism (copying someone else’s writing and presenting as your own) and other issues that can impact your grade and university standing. If you cheat on an exam, you will get an F on that exam. If you plagiarize your paper, you will get an F and be reported to SLA, as stated in the student handbook. Exam times are final, unless documentation is presented to confirm illness, etc.

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TEXT REQUIRED:
City Politics: The Political Economy of Urban America, edited by Dennis Judd and
Todd Swanstrom, 5 th Edition
Y308 - Weekly Schedule
DUE –
TEXT REQUIRED:
Readings:
Basic Text: City Politics: The Political Economy of Urban America, edited by Dennis
Judd and Todd Swanstrom, 6 TH Ed.
Week 1
Aug 27 – Syllabus review
Reading: Chapt 1 in Judd and Swanstrom (will be abbreviated to J&S in rest of the syllabus)
Note: After today’s class meeting, please read materials before class so that you will be prepared to participate in class discussions and exercises.
Week 2
Sept. 3 -
Week 3
Sept 10 – Political legacy
Reading: Chapters 2&3 in J&S

Week 4
Sept 17 - Municipal Reform and Modern City Structure
Reading: Chapt. 4 & 5 in J&S
Week 5
Sept 24 – Urban Executives and Legislatures
Reading: Local Government Executives and Legislatures pp.307-321;
Also read: Who Governs by Robert Dahl
Note: Both readings are on OnCourse
Week 6
Oct. 1 – Suburban America
Reading: Chapt. 10 in J&S
The Rise of the Sunbelt
Reading Chapt. 8
Paper instructions: Bill Orme, Political Science librarian, will give you pointers on doing research using academic databases, etc.
Week 7
Oct. 8 – Understanding City Finances
Reading, Chapt. 12 in J&S
Fiscal Management by Cities, Towns and States
Reading: Fiscal Policy and Financial Management
Note: This reading is on OnCourse
Assignment: Go to Indygov.org and explore and evaluate the city-county’s mission to share necessary information for citizens, etc.
Week 8
Oct 15 –
Paper topics due – You should have brief explanation of your interest and topic and at least 3 sources for the research.
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Week 9 –
Oct 22 - Metropolitan Governance & Issues
Reading: Chapt. 9 & 11 in J&S
Class will choose at least 3 mayoral candidates for the simulation series.
Week 10
Oct. 29 – Electoral Politics & Media
Readings: Elections and Campaigns: Voters and Media Have Their Say
Also read: Interest Groups in Local Politics
Both readings are on OnCourse
Guest speaker: Matthew Tully, Indianapolis Star
Week 11
Nov. 5 – National Politics and Cities
Reading: Chapt. 5,6 and 7 in J&S
Guest Speaker: Common Cause member
Simulation exercise: mayoral debate
Week 12
Nov. 12 – Urban Renaissance
Reading: Chapt. 13
Simulation exercise: mayoral election
Week 13
Nov. 19 - Cities and Education
Readings: The New Politics of Urban Schools by Kenneth K. Wong
Note: Reading is on OnCourse
Simulation: Mayor presents budget & City council debates its merits and problems
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Week 14
Nov 26 – Cities and Terrorism
Reading: The American City in the Age of Terror by Peter Eisinger
Note: Reading is on OnCourse
Also visit the Homeland Security website
Simulation exercise – City Council votes on the budget
Week 15
Dec. 3 – Impacts of Globalization
Reading: Chapt 14 & 15
Week 16
Dec 10 – Complete any materials not covered, questions and take home exam distributed
Dec 17 – Take home final due.
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