PLSC 330 Urban Politics Syllabus, Winter, 2014 Professor: Adrian J. Lottie, Ph.D. Class: PLSC 330 Classroom: 420 P-H Class Time: TR 9:30-10:15a CRN: 24484 Office: Political Science Department or 601 R Pray-Harrold Telephone: 734-487-3113 Office Hours: TR 9:00-9:30a, 12:152:00p, 4:45-5p and by appointment e-mail: adrian.lottie@emich.edu e-mails: Communication for assignment related communications, examinations or classroom discussions is preferred. Course Description This course introduces students to the political, social, and economic forces affecting modern urban America. It is an examination of the urban political environment in the United States; structure, processes, power relationships, ethnic considerations, fiscal constraints, and select, specific policy areas are considered. It also considers how our changing world affects modern urban America, including the influences of technological change and economic globalization. Text: Available Online and sometimes at area bookstores. Judd, Dennis R. and Todd Swanstrom. 2012. City Politics, 8th ed. New York: Longman. ISBN-13: 978-0-205-03246-4 ISBN-10: 0-205-03246-X It is strongly suggested that you stay abreast of major contemporary urban issues by accessing major national and local media. Requirements and Course Policies 1. Three examinations equally weighted: essay and objective items. They must be typed and submitted via e-mail. Exams are usually assigned giving students approximately one week for completion. Examinations will constitute 90 percent of your grade. Exams not submitted by the due date receive a zero. Therefore, IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT YOU SAVE COPIES OF THE ORIGINAL E-MAIL WHERE YOU SENT THE EXAM TO PROVE THE TIME AND DATE THAT THE E-MAIL WAS SENT. 2. Make-up examinations in general are not allowed due to the liberal amount of time granted for completion. Late exams will be graded zero unless approved by the professor (see below).* 3. Regular and meaningful participation in the discussions and regular attendance. Grading of discussions will be based upon the level and quality of participation. 10 percent of your grade will depend upon discussion participation. Civility and academic honesty are required. Engaging in uncivil or dishonest behavior may result in disciplinary action against the offending student. Academic dishonesty, including all forms of cheating, falsification, and/or plagiarism, will not be tolerated in this course. Penalties for an act of academic dishonesty may range from receiving a failing grade for a particular assignment to receiving a failing grade for the entire course. In addition, you may be referred to the Office of Student Judicial Services for discipline that can result in either a suspension or permanent dismissal. The Student Conduct Code details definitions of what constitutes academic dishonesty, but if you are not sure about whether something you are doing would be considered academic dishonesty, consult with the course instructor. You may access the relevant section of the Code at http://www.emich.edu/studentconduct/academic_integrity.html. 5. 6. Homeland Security: Foreign Students and Homeland Security Any changes in a foreign student’s name, residence address, academic status: full or part time, dropping or withdrawing from a class, changes in program of study, completion date, level of study such as undergrad versus grad, funding source, employment or GA position, intent to transfer to another university, or any probation or disciplinary action due to a criminal conviction requires that the student report the event or change to the Office of International Studies within 10 days of its occurrence. Failure to do so may result in arrest and deportation. For questions and concerns contact OIS. Letter of Recommendation Policy: Letters of recommendation will only be provided for the top two to three students in the class unless the student is an outstanding performer in some other arena, with which the professor is familiar(including the student's ability/performance), and relevant to the intended recipient’s objectives. Grading Scale as an aid to estimating your progress in the course: 90-100=A 88-89= A86-87= B+ 80-85= B 78-79= B76-77= C+ 70-75= C 68-69= C65-67= D+ 62-64= D 60-61= D0-59 = F Final Grade Determination 3 Examinations Equally weighted Participation in Considered discussions and attendance Direction of grades Considered Improvement over the semester may also be considered when evaluating a student's final grade. *No late exams: late exams are graded zero unless approved by the professor based upon acceptable written documentation of some unavoidable reason for submitting a late examination. In general, permission for late exams will not be granted and such permission is at the discretion of the professor. Tentative Reading, Discussion, Assignment and Examination Schedule. All assignments refer to J& S unless otherwise specified. Section I: The Origins of American Urban Politics: The First Century Week 1 Ch 1 Week 2 Ch 2 Week 3 Ch 3 Week 4 Ch 4 Week 5 Ch 5 Exam 1 Section II: The Urban Crisis of the Twentieth Century Week 6 Week 7 Week 8 Week 9 Ch 6 Ch 7 Winter Recess; Ch 8 Read Ch 9, Exam II Section III: The Fractured Metropolis Week10 Ch 10 Week11 Ch 11 Week12 Ch 12 Week 13 Ch 13 Week 14 Ch 14, Week 15 Ch 15 Final Exam Due Thursday April 24 2014 10:30 am via e-mail attachment saved in Word or Rich Text Format .