Federalism and Intergovernmental Relations

Catalog description

This course examines issues of power and policy making in the American federal system. Through content and case studies on US IGR’s Constitutional and historical basis, fiscal federalism and grants management, and intergovernmental coordination, this course provides an understanding of the dynamics of interrelationships among and between the federal, state, and local levels of government, and opportunities and challenges associated with the American federal system. Further, this is an Advanced Writing course designed to help students learn to write for the political science/public administration/social science discipline. Professional writing in the discipline requires writing to different audiences and using different formats. Specifically, assignments entail writing about topical issues in a variety of formats students are likely to utilize in a professional position in public administration and political science, including: an op-ed on an a salient issue, policy brief, policy memo, reading reflection, and white paper. Students will leave this class with better understanding of intergovernmental and broader governance issues, instruction in professional writing in the field, and enhanced capacity for engaging with the world around them. ADVW. PA-1C. CAS-C. Prerequisite: POL 241 or POL 261 or POL 243 .