POLS 207: State & Local Government

Megan K. Dyer January 18, 2017

 Course Overview

Technical Intro:
Syllabus
Readings
Attendance & note-taking
e-Campus
Grades
Exams
Course Schedule

Brief Course Intro:

Why study states & communities?
 Syllabus

The Syllabus
Where can you find it?

#1 place to look for answers!

What readings are assigned?
What is being covered in class?
How are grades calculated?
When/where are office hours?
When is the exam?
What should I bring to the exam?
What do I do if I was sick on exam day?
And many, many more

Syllabus quiz!
 Syllabus

Office hours:
Allen Building (West Campus): MW 1 2 p.m. (or by appt.)

TBA (Main Campus): F 2 3 p.m.

Megan K. Dyer
mkdyer@tamu.edu
Office: ALLN 2120
Phone: : 979-845-1720
 Syllabus

Email:
Use your university e-mail!

My e-mail: mkdyer@tamu.edu
OR mkdyer@pols.tamu.edu

Please, no emails to mkdyer@email.tamu.edu

 Readings

Textbook: Politics in States and Communities, 15th Ed.

Where to find it?

TAMU bookstore
Amazon, Overstock, other retailers

Further options
Renting
New v. used
eBook

Older editions?
 Attendance

Attendance policy
In general
Non-exam day absences

Get contact info!

 Note-taking

Lecture exclusives
Most of the Texas focus material

Taking good notes v. copying slides

e-Campus Resources
Study worksheets
Slides?
Content added regularly

Other advice
Learning assistance
TAMU Academic Success Center
 e-Campus

ecampus.tamu.edu
Website
Texas A&M app

Whats there?
Syllabus & other technical info
Study WS & (eventually) slides
Posted grades
Current & past class announcements
 Grades

Formula
Syllabus Quiz 2.5%
Exam (w/ highest grade) 30.0%
Exam 22.5%
Exam 22.5%
Exam 22.5%

No help me out grade changes!

 Exams

Exams
Multiple choice & T/F

Approx. 3 weeks worth of material each

Not cumulative, but material does build & overlap

No dedicated review days

Some tips before Exam 1
Time set aside for questions
 Exam Days

Bring to exams:
8.5 x11 grey TAMU Scantron sheet

No. 2 pencils (w/ eraser)

A valid form of picture ID

TAMU student ID (preferred)
Drivers license
Passport
 Exam Days

Late to an exam?

Absences & Make-ups:

University Excused Absences (Student Rule 7)
Notification & documentation
Regular scheduling of make-ups
 Course Schedule

Course Sections & Overview:

1. States & communities in the U.S. (1/18 2/10)

Immigration, political culture, democracy, constitutionalism & federalism

2. Participation, political behavior (2/13 3/6)

State & local-level participation, party organizations

3. State-level political institutions (3/8 4/12)

State legislatures & legislators, governors & execs., state courts

4. Communities & public policy (4/17 5/8)

Local political systems, taxation & spending, education, etc.
 Why Study States & Communities?

State & Local Government

What stories are in the news this week?

Notable recent state laws

Large ($800M) appropriation for border security
State limits on municipal drilling regulations
Open carry (& campus carry)
2011 Strict Voter ID Law - (Struck down by 5th Circuit last July)

Notable recent local laws

CS hands-free device ordinance
 Why Study States & Communities?

85th Texas Legislature

Biennial session Jan 10th May 29th 2017

Some bills (& fights) to watch:

SB 2 property tax relief
SB 6 the bathroom bill
Various abortion-related bills
SB 176 statewide regulation of ridesharing companies
SB 4 going after sanctuary cities

the BUDGET
 Why Study States & Communities?

A Political Approach

Broad powers of states (& communities)

Priorities of the Lege this session?

Policy conflict
What should be done? And how?
Should government do anything?
If so, which government?

How is conflict managed?

 Final Announcements

Add-drop

Assignment: Syllabus quiz!

Introduce yourself!