PLSC 330 Urban Politics Syllabus, Fall 2015
Professor: Adrian J. Lottie, Ph.D.
601 R Pray-Harrold
Office: Political Science Department or
Urban Politics - 14169 - PLSC 330 - 0
Telephone: 734-487-3113
Class: PLSC 330
Classroom: 420 P-H
Class Time: TR 11:00am-12:15pm
CRN: 14169 Office Hours: TR 9:00-9:30a, 12:15-2:00p, 4:45-5p and by appointment
e-mail: adrian.lottie@emich.edu
Please put 330 on the subject line.
e-mails: Communications for assignment related communications, examinations or
classroom discussions are 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. In particular the policy areas of focus will include: the
history of diversity in urban America, economic development strategies, real estate development
strategies, how some groups have been able to enrich themselves, and how some government
policies help to enrich those who have access and information. 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.
Other Materials: Provided by the professor which may include research papers, citations,
quotes from books, and internet sites.
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. Take-home, 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 Conduct and Community Standards 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.
6.
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= A-
86-87= 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 discussions and attendance is considered.
Direction of grades is 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
Ch 6
Ch 7
Week 8
Week 9
Ch 8 Read
Ch 9, Exam II
Section III: The Fractured Metropolis
Week10
Ch 10
Week11
Ch 11
Week12
Ch 12 Thanksgiving recess
Week 13
Ch 13,
Week 14
Ch 14,
Week 15
Ch 15
Final Exam Due December 17, 2015 11:00am via e-mail attachment saved in Rich Text Format.
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