New York State Government, Policy, and Politics

Catalog description

This course focuses on politics and policy in the State of New York. Students will learn about regionalism and conflicts between Upstate and Downstate, the political history of the state, political machines, ethnic diversity within the State, the unique nature of the state’s political parties and elections, the powers of the governor and the legislature (and conflict between them), the state court system, and the state bureaucracy. Students will learn about policy on education, the environment, health care, welfare, taxes, and spending. Special attention will be paid to the politics of New York City and Western New York and the powers of local government vis-à-vis the State. There are no pre-requisites for this course. It does not require any prior knowledge of politics or government in New York.