Faculty Contact Information:
Dr. J.E.D. Riggs
PSC 9 Box 3018
APO AE 09123
Email: jriggs@ed.umuc.edu
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Consultation:
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One half-hour before class, and by appointment.
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Required Texts and Readings:
American Psychological Association. (2001). Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, (5th ed.). Washington DC: Author
O'Toole, L. J. Ed. (2000). American Intergovernmental Relations. Washington, DC. CQ Press.
Peterson, P. E. (1995). The Price of Federalism. Washington, DC. The Brookings Institute
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Supplementary Readings:
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Recommended Journals:
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Course Description:
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Grading Information:
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.
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Course Requirements:
Graduate school at the masters level focuses on helping students obtain the education needed for success as professionals in their chosen fields. Thus, UMUC-Europe Graduate Programs and Bowie State University share the common goals of promoting excellence in academic scholarship through thoughtful inquiry and the skillful application of knowledge and theory for the betterment of society. In order to maximize your graduate educational experience in general and this course in particular, you are required to pass a:
Mid-term Examination. 30%
Final Examiniation. 30%
Theme Paper. 30%
Class Presentation. 10%
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Description of Course Requirements:
Participate in classroom discussions: You are expected to come to class prepared to engage in all discussions in a professional and informed manner. Usually this requires two to three hours of additional for every hour of a face-to-face class and approximately ten hours of preparation per week for a DE class.
Write graduate level papers or case studies: You are required to conduct professional-level research, including appropriately citing works of others and avoiding plagiarism. Plan on committing approximately 150 hours over the duration of this course to producing professional level deliverables.
Orally/visually present prepared material: You are required to present your research in a professional manner. In a face-to-face course, this typically means an oral presentation accompanied by appropriate visual material. In a DE class, this means creating a visual/textual presentation for your instructor and classmates.
Complete one or more written examination(s): The examination process in this class will assist you in developing the writing and critical thinking skills necessary to successfully passing the comprehensive exam required of all graduate students. The questions used for this course will either be taken directly from past comprehensive exams or written as though to be included on a comprehensive exam.
There will be a mid-term and a final examination. The mid-ter will fall on the Sunday afternoon of Weekend Two, and will consist of all readings and lectures to date. The final exam will fall on the Sunday afternoon of Weekend Four, and will consist of all readings and lectures since the mid-term.
In addation, each student will be required to submit an original paper of 20-to-25 pages, investigating a current policy problem in IGR. By Saturday of Weekend Two, I expect each student to present me with a topic sheet declaring the paper topic. This sheet will contain three things:
1. The Topic. (e.g. The current budget crises of the states).
2. The approach. (e.g. A case study of reforms in California).
3. A sample bibliography of the liturature.
This paper is to be formatted in the APA style, and must be handed in on the day of the Final Exam. Failure to do so will result in an automatic 20% reduction in the value of the paper.
Finally, on the Sunday of the fourth weekend, each student will be required to present a 10 minute professional brief of his or her paper topic for the class. This is important, and worth 10% of your total grade.
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Course Schedule:
WEEKEND ONE
DAY ONE. READINGS
1. History of Federalism. (O'Toole: 1-4/10-12; Peterson: 3)
2. Constitutional Federalism.
DAY TWO
1. Regulatory Policy in IGR
2. Same topic continued.
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WEEKEND TWO
DAY ONE. READINGS
1. Distributive Policies in IGR. (O'Toole: 16-18;Peterson:2,5,6)
2. Redistributive Policies in IGR.
DAY TWO
1. State and Local Relationships.
2. MID-TERM EXAMINATION.
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WEEKEND THREE.
DAY ONE. READINGS
1. Budget and Tax Policy in IGR. (O'Toole:19-21/29-31;Peterson:4,7).
2. The Grants Economy.
DAY TWO
1. The Plight of Urban Administration.
2. The Courts and IGR.
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WEEKEND FOUR
DAY ONE READINGS
1. The future of IGR. (NONE)
2. Where the money is, and how to get it.
DAY TWO.
1. Student Presentations.
2. FINAL EXAMINATION.
2.
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Academic Policies:
Please refer to the UMUC-Europe Graduate Catalog, available online at http://www.ed.umuc.edu/general_info/publications/catalogs/ or from your local Education Center, for information on the following:
Academic Integrity
Course Load
Exception to Policy
Grade Appeal Process
Make-up Examinations
Nondiscrimination
Students with Disabilities
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Faculty Bio:
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Dr. JED Riggs is Collegiate Professor of Public Administration with the University of Maryland in Europe/Bowie State University Graduate Programs. He has lived in Europe since 1985 and has been teaching for Maryland since 1993.
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