PA 312 Management of State Government
Spring Online 2015
Instructor Contact Information:
Professor: Kelley Crockett PhD.
Phone: 619.730.9658
Email: Skype kelley.crockett or E-Mail: kcrockett@mail.sdsu.edu
Office hours: Online via email or on Skype by appointment
Course description:
This course introduces how management, political and organizational issues affect administrative
problems in State Government.
Students will examine administrative and constitutional issues that impact state management in the American
federalist system. Challenges presented by changing election practices such as the use of the initiative, the
referendum and the recall will be considered with the California Constitution and its intent to provide the
framework for direct democracy. Analysis beyond the interplay between local, state, and federal government
roles will include how interest groups, media exposure and a burgeoning and diverse population contribute to
the lack of consensus that affects the political climate.
Course Learning Outcomes:
Upon successfully completing tis course students will have:
1) Applied collaborative techniques to discern multiple viewpoints on California policy making.
2) Evaluated literature on the historical development of local, state and federal influence on how the
legislature, judiciary and executive functions in California.
3) Analyzed different sides to specific issues facing California voters.
4) Role-played effective decision making techniques in the state election system.
5) Utilized critical thinking skills expressed through writing and discussion within an advanced technological
platform.
Course Grading Scale:
94-100=A
73-76=C
90-93=A70-72=C-
87-89=B+
67-69=D+
83-86=B
63-66=D
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80-82=B60-62=D-
77-79=C+
Below 60=F
Course Materials:
Anagnoson, J. Theodore, Bonetto, Gerald, Buck, J. Vincent, Deleon, Richard, Emrey, Jolly, Kelleher, James and
Koch, Nadine, Governing California in the Twenty-First Century, 4th Edition, Norton Publications, 2013.
Assessment and Grading:
Quizzes:
40% of Final Grade
The four quizzes are spread out through the semester and only cover the section they designate. Once we
cover that section, we move on. You will have 12 hours to access the quiz and one hour to take it. There are 10
multiple choice and true/false questions. These questions are not meant to be tricky but would be difficult to
answer If the student had not read the assigned readings and reviewed the lectures. Although these are open
book and open note, collaboration is not allowed and would be considered unprofessional with serious
consequences. Quizzes disappear once the due date has passed so keeping up with the class schedule is vital.
There are no make up quizzes and missing any quiz is equal to a zero for 10% of your grade.
Individual Presentation:
15% of Final Grade
You will be assigned to read a “critical-thinking question” in one of the textbook’s chapters and then
analyze/answer it in a three to four paragraph response. The title of the question that you are assigned to has
its own discussion thread under “Discussions” in Blackboard. Each one has a different due date.
a. Part 1: Type up the question and then give some background from the chapter that helps to
paint a picture of the problem or issue being discussed.
b. Part 2: Answer the question
c. Part 3: Find a news article that addresses this issue or topic and discuss it briefly. Include the
URL (online location) of the news article. Articles can be from any major outlet like the San
Diego Union-Tribune, the LA times, the Sacramento Bee or you can check online sources like
www.rtumble.com or www.politico.com etc.
Discussion Responses and Comments:
15% of Final Grade
All students will be assigned to respond to a critical thinking question at the end of a chapter. That is their
individual presentation. The discussion participation part is when you make comments on what others have
written. For the first module everyone is going to respond to the critical thinking questions (Q1 and Q2) then
comment on someone else’s comment for each question. Once the individual presentations of these question
responses begin (chapter 2 onwards) students are expected to pick out three different presentations over the
semester and write a thoughtful but concise (a short paragraph) commentary on each one of the three (not on
your own presentation please). Comments should reflect an understanding of the issues presented based on
the readings and not just be random opinions. Students may choose whatever 3 critical-thinking presentations
they wish (no more than 3 students can respond to any one presentation) but must wait to comment until
after the individual assigned to the question has posted their response. I strongly suggest that you keep up
with reading all the discussion presentations, as the information is fair game for the quizzes and final exam.
Lobbyist Blog:
10% of Final Grade
Each student will identify, investigate and report on a California lobbyist, active (not just a passive nonprofit
group that does not actively try to influence legislature) interest group or an employer of lobbyists. You may
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use the information in chapter 3 of your textbook or The Lobbying Directory at
http://www.sos.ca.gov/prd/Lobbying_Directory.pdf to find your target group. You must sign up whom you will
be investigating in the discussion section by February 1st.
A blog can either be a single entry or multiple entries over time with pictures, cartoons, additional links or
graphics that help support your information. Better grades will be given for more complete, visually organized
and well-analyzed work. The Blog is due February 15th. Please incorporate the answers to the following
questions in your blog:
1. Is this a professional organization (for hire), an active lobbying nonprofit organization, a citizen
lobbyist?
2. What legislation has it worked on?
3. What is listed on its website?
4. How long has it existed?
5. Is there a clear alignment of message or cause with any particular legislation or legislator?
6. Can you tell where it is located?
7. How influential do you think it is?
8. Any clue as to where their funding comes from?
9. How did chapter 3 of your textbook help you to understand your group?
10. Give a summary statement about how your research has influenced your opinion about lobbying in
general.
Final Exam:
15% of Final Grade
This exam is cumulative unlike the quizzes and is over the entire content in the course.
Participation:
5% of Final Grade
It is at the instructor’s discretion to take an additional 5% off on top of a 10% grade penalty for anything up to
24 hours late.
Plagiarism and cheating:
There should not be any ambiguity as to what constitutes plagiarism or cheating with the consequence of
assignment and possibly course failure but if you have questions please refer to SDSU’s site
http://www.sa.sdsu.edu/htc/plagiarism.pdf.
Student Services:
If you have a disability and need accommodations for this class, it is your responsibility to contact Student
Disability Services as soon as possible at (760) 768 5502.
Please note that accommodations are not retroactive, and that accommodations based upon disability cannot
be provided until you have presented your instructor with an accommodation letter from Student Disability
Services.
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Course Schedule
Module 1: January 21 to February 1 Introduction to California Government and Federalism
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Read textbook Governing California Chapter 1
View Professor Lecture
In the discussion section identify and sign up for (first come first serve so check if someone else has
already picked the one you wanted) your lobbyist, employer of lobbyists or active interest group Due
February 1st.
Discussions #1 and #2 are Due by February 1: Everyone will briefly (less than you would on your
individually assigned question) respond to the first two critical questions in Chapter 1 in discussion #1
and discussion #2 and then make one comment response each to someone else’s post on both
questions.
Module 2: February 2 to February 8 California Constitution and Direct Democracy
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Read textbook Governing California Chapter 2
View Professor Lecture
In discussion section assigned critical questions are Due February 3
Quiz 1 over modules 1 and 2 and discussion questions. Access between 9 am and 9 pm on February 8
Module 3: February 9 to February 15 Interest Groups and Media
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Read textbook Governing California Chapter 3
View Professor Lecture
In discussion section assigned critical questions are Due February 10
Individual Blog Due for everyone on February 15
Module 4: February 16 to February 22 Elections in California
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Read textbook Governing California Chapter 4
View Professor Lecture
In discussion section assigned critical questions are Due February 17
Module 5: February 23 to March 1 California Legislature
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Read textbook Governing California Chapter 5
View Professor Lecture
In discussion section assigned critical questions are Due February 24
Quiz 2 over modules 3, 4, and 5 and discussion questions. Access between 9 am and 9 pm on March
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Module 6: March 2 to March 8 The Governor
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Read textbook Governing California Chapter 6
View Professor Lecture
In discussion section assigned critical questions are Due March 3
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Module 7: March 9 to March 15 The Executive Branch Agencies
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Read textbook Governing California Chapter 6
View Professor Lecture
In discussion section assigned critical questions are Due March 3
Quiz 3 on modules 6 and 7 and discussion questions. Access between 9 am and 9 pm on March 15
Module 8: March 16 to March 22 The California Judiciary
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Read textbook Governing California Chapter 7
View Professor Lecture
In discussion section assigned critical questions are Due March 17
Module 9: March 23 to March 29 The State Budget Process Part A
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Read textbook Governing California Chapter 8
View Professor Lecture
In discussion section assigned critical questions are Due March 24
SPRING BREAK MARCH 30 TO APRIL 3
Module 10: April 6 to April 12 The State Budget Process Part B
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Read textbook Governing California Chapter 8
View Professor Lecture
In discussion section assigned critical questions are Due March 24
Quiz 4 on modules 8, 9 and 10 and discussion questions. Access between 9 am and 9 pm on April 12
Module 11: April 13 to April 19 Local Government
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Read textbook Governing California Chapter 9
View Professor Lecture
In discussion section assigned critical questions are Due April 14
Module 12: April 20 to April 26 Public Policy in California
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Read textbook Governing California Chapter 10
View Professor Lecture
In discussion section assigned critical questions are Due April 21
All three responses to student presentations of critical questions Due April 22
Module 13: April 27 to May 10 California Current and Future Status
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View Professor Lecture
Final Exam Access between 9 am and 9 pm on May 10
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