Faculty Contact Information:
J. Riggs
PSC 9 Box 3018
APO AE 09123
email: smartguy53@yahoo.com | |
Consultation:
| One-Half Hour before class, and by appointment | |
Required Texts and Readings:
American Psychological Association (2001). Publication manual for the
American Psychological Association (5th ed.). Washington DC:
Author.
O'Toole, L. J. Ed. (2000). American intergovernmental relations
(3rd ed.). Washington, D.C.: Congressional Quarterly Press.
Peterson, P. E. (1995). The price of federalism. Washington, D.C.:
The Brookings Institute. | |
Supplementary Readings:
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Recommended Journals:
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Course Description:
| Prerequisite: Undergraduate American political science or American government. Focuses on the complexities and inadequacies of the federal-state-local system; with conflicts and cooperation between the three levels; with changing roles of government; with the development of structures, processes, and management to strengthen the intergovernmental system and improve performance; and with increasing student problem-solving and managerial capabilities. | |
Course Goals:
As a required course in the management track of the MPA, this course analyzes the challenges of managing programs within federalist systems of government. Upon completion of this course, participants should have an understanding of the:
History of the federalism.
Significant legislation pertaining to IGR.
Unique problems of state government.
Challenges and promises of local and regional governments.
Crisis of state and local budgeting.
Impact of the courts on IGR.
Alternative funding arrangements of state and local activities.
Probable future of intergovernmental relations. | |
Course Objectives:
At the conclusion of this course, the student will be able to:
Identify the primary grant mechanisms.
Compare and contrast the distinct phases of IGR.
Delineate intergovernmental “tax domains.”
Differentiate between the primary IGR policies
Explain intergovernmental policy overlap issues.
Identify new areas of state and local finances.
Develop new models for revenue estimation.
Implement new methods of revenue collection and disbursement.
Identify the means of circumventing balanced budget amendments.
Detect the major problems facing state and local governments.
Develop strategies for avoiding costly social service litigation cases.
Identify sources of grant money at state and nation levels.
Write a grant proposal.
Apply governmental policy objectives more effectively.
Implement new laws pertaining to Equal Opportunity.
Generate appropriate charts, tables and graphs. | |
Grading Information:
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Grades for the course will be assigned as follows:
A = 90% +
B = 80% - 89%
C = 70% - 79%
F = Below 70% [F(a)]; or regular non-attendance [F(n)].
Grades of "Incomplete" or "Withdrawal" are governed by Maryland in Europe policies. Please refer to the UMUC Maryland in Europe Graduate Catalog, available in your local Education Center, or online at http://www.ed.umuc.edu.edu/visit/pubs/catalog/grad_03-04.pdf for further details | |
Course Requirements:
Mid-Term Examination
Final Examination
20 page Theme Paper. | |
Description of Course Requirements:
There will be a mid-term and a final examination. The mid-term will fall on the Sunday afternoon of the second weekend, and will consist of all readings and lectures to date. The final exam will fall on the afternoon of the Sunday of weekend four, and will consist of all readings and lectures from the mid-term on.
In addition, each will be required to produce a theme paper, investigating the latest trends in any of the major topic areas of this course. By Saturday of the second weekend, I expect each student to present to me a paper topic sheet. This sheet will contain three things:
1. The actual topic. (eg. The budgetary crises of the states)
2. The approach. (eg. A case study of the attempts of the state of
Kansas to enact budget reforms)
3. A sample bibliography of the literature to be used.
This paper is to be formatted in the APA style, and should be no less that 20 pages in length. Prior permission of instructor is necessary before the student begins work on the topic; so please, check with me early on. The paper is due on the final day of class. If the paper is not in my hands on time, the student will suffer an immediate 20% reduction in the paper’s final grade. | |
Course Schedule:
Weekend One:
1. The history of federalism O’Toole: Readings 1-4.
2. Same Topic. Same Readings.
3. Regulatory Policy in IGR O’Toole: Readings: 10-12.
Peterson:Ch. 3.
4. Same Topic. Same Reading.
Weekend Two:
1. Distributive Policies O’Toole: Readings 16-18.
in IGR Peterson: Ch. 6.
2. Same Topic. Same Readings.
3. Redistributive Policies Peterson: Chps. 2 & 5.
in IGR
4. MID-TERM EXAMINATION
Weekend Three:
1. Budget and Taxes in IGR. O’Toole: Readings 19-21.
Peterson: Chps. 4 & 7.
2. Same Topic Same Reading.
3. The Courts and IGR O’Toole: Readings 29-31.
4. Same Topic. Same Readings.
Weekend Four:
1. The Grants Economy. No Readings.
2. Where the money is,
and how to get it. No Readings.
3. The future of IGR. No Readings.
4. FINAL EXAMINIATION. | |
Academic Policies:
Please refer to the UMUC Maryland in Europe Graduate Catalog, Available online at http://www.ed.umuc.edu/visit/pubs/catalog/grad_03-04.pdf or from your local Education Center, for information on the following:
Academic Integrity.
Course load.
Exceptions to policy.
Grade Appeal Process.
Make-up Exams.
Non-Discrimination Policy.Students with disabilities. | |
Faculty Bio:
| John Edwin Douglas Riggs is a Collegiate Professor of Public Administration with the Maryland in Europe faculty. He has taught with the University since 1992, and has lived in Europe for nearly 20 years. | |