Political Science 778E: Practicum: South Carolina Government

Political Science 778E:

"Practicum:
South Carolina Government"

(May 17 - June 30, 2010)
(note that the schedule is tentative)

Meetings: (Tentative) Monday, Wednesday (6:00 - 8:30 PM)

Instructor: Mark E. Tompkins

Office: 328 Gambrell Hall

Phone: 777-4312 (an answering machine is available)

E-mail:

tompkins.mark@sc.edu

Office Hours:

Current Availability posted on-line here.
Generally: Tuesday, Thursday (2:30 - 4:30)

Course Objectives:

This course will involve in-depth study of major issues facing the state of South Carolina and local governments in the state. The course is designed to provide students seeking graduate professional degrees with an improved understanding of the context in which they may work. The course’s presentation will be designed to take advantage of the opportunity provided by the availability of key policy makers and administrators to promote a more active and contemporary learning environment into the presentation of the material. Using readings, other materials, and presentations from key participants in the state, we will examine a selection of prominent issues in class meetings; in the concluding class meetings, we will consider materials prepared and presented by members of the class.

Description of
Course Conduct:

The course will provide students with an understanding of contemporary government and politics in South Carolina. The course’s presentation will be designed to take advantage of our proximity to the state capital and the unfolding state budget debate to incorporate a more active and contemporary learning environment into the course. Students will investigate the major institutions of government – both the major branches of state government (executive, legislative and courts) and its bureaucracies, as well as the other institutions of government in the state operating at the local level. Students will also learn more about the role played by other public actors, such as the media and interest groups, in shaping public life in the state.
In other words:
Students will learn the essential characteristics of major South Carolina political institutions,

... they will critically analyze the role of each institution in contributing to good governance,

... they will engage active leaders in the state’s major political institutions in discussingcontemporary issues in South Carolina,
... they will investigate the major policy domains in which state and local government are active, analyzing the institutions, policies and programs involved. In two cases, they will analyze these in more depth, preparing a short paper; in one more specific case, they will critically analyze a policy or program in detail (preparing a major course paper on it).

... they will enhance their skills at written communication through the preparation of four essays, and critical feedback on each of them,

... they will develop a better understanding of the relative performance and the comparative arrangement of major institutions between South Carolina and other states of the U.S., and

... they will develop a better understanding of the public environment in which professionals provide services to the public through public and non-profit institutions.

Evaluation
of Student
Performance:

Grades in the course will be based on two activities:

An "issues paper" or "project paper", and associated class presentation, based on an issue or topic selected by each student in consultation with Professor Tompkins (the issues paper will be worth 40% of the course grade and the class presentation will be worth 20% of the course grade);
A take-home final essay assignment (worth 40% of the course grade).

Grading will be based on a ten point scale (i.e. 10 - 0), with the University's traditional letter grades assigned to each value (i.e. 10 = A, 9 = B+, 8 = B, 7 = C+, 6 = C, while grades lower than 5 will be considered failures). The course grade will reflect a weighted average of the grades assigned to each activity. I reserve the right to reward especially distinguished participation and improved work in the course as I find appropriate.
Note also that (unexcused) missed classes will adversely affect your grade.

Course Resources:

The core text for the course will be South Carolina Government: A Policy Perspective, Charlie B. Tyer, ed. (Columbia, S.C.: University of South Carolina Institute for Public Service and Public Policy Research, 2003).
In addition, students will read selections from Politics in the American States, A Comparative Analysis, Nineth Edition, (CQ Press, 2008).
These readings will be complemented with readings that compare and contrast the issues facing South Carolina with other states.
Some other materials are available at:

http://www.cla.sc.edu/poli/courses/scgov/

Some additional materials willl be provided in class.

A link to SCIWAY -- a page with many relevant links to S.C. resources.

http://www.sciway.net/

A link to a page with S.C. Government resources on it.

http://www.state.sc.us/gov.htm

A link to a page where materials on South Carolina politics are available:

http://www.schotline.com/

Link to Schedule and Assignments

Please Note:	Since this course will be conducted during the summer session, it will be particularly important to submit assignments when due. Please note that they are due at the date and time noted. Class attendance is expected since class presentations are an integral part of the course. Excused absenses or delayed completion of assignments requires a prior, explicit agreement made with me. If emergencies arise, they should be brought to my attention as soon as possible. I reserve the right to penalize late material as I find appropriate. In class: cell phones, pagers and other devices should be silenced. You should avoid other activities that disrupt the class (eating, phone calls, etc.) You are expected to monitor the class schedule, which will be maintained on this public web site. You are responsible for anything posted once it has been available for seven days. Students are expected to do their own work; Plagiarism and misuse of other's work is unacceptable and will be penalized as I find appropriate. In general, student conduct should be governed by the Carolina Creed (link here)
Document URL: http://people.cas.sc.edu/tompkins/Summer2010/PS778E.Home.html
Published on May 17, 2010. Maintained by Professor Tompkins; Contact Professor Tompkins by e-mail at: tompkins.mark@sc.edu. © Copyright 2010. All Rights Reserved.