Class Meetings

Selected Mondays, 6-8:50 p.m. Solano Hall 3008

Course Objectives and Description

This independent research seminar will explore the policy and administrative dimensions of intergovernmental relations in the 1990's and into the new millennium. The dynamic growth in intergovernmental relationships which accompanied the expansion of federal categorical programs, entitlements, and mandates/regulations in the 1960's and 70's is being reversed, at least rhetorically, by the move toward devolution, a contraction of the federal government's role as banker and regulator.

Subject matter will include theories of federalism and the historic growth of relationships between the federal, state and local governments. However, the primary thrust will be the examination of the current environment of intergovernmental relationships in the political, policy, fiscal and constitutional domains. Current and prospective strategies utilized by different governments in their dealings with one another can best be understood in the context of current policy debates. Each student will develop a recent or current intergovernmental policy issue, e.g. welfare reform, Medicaid funding, public housing, mass transit, etc., as the focus of a major research effort.

Note: This course is "web enhanced"; the learning process will utilize computer technology (WEBct software) to support student/faculty and student/student communication and discussion. It is imperative that each student have daily access to a computer with an Internet connection. The WEBct program will require each student to have a SacLink account. You may register for an account on campus at one of the open computer labs (some are open 24 hours a day). Time will be allocated at the end of our first class meeting for students to register for a SacLink account. (www.csus.edu/uccs/webct/guide.htm)

Seminar Format and Expectations

I would like this course to encourage and support graduate students in the independent research interests in the intergovernmental policy arena. As noted above, each student's selected intergovernmental policy topic will form the substantive "work" of the class. Our format is therefore somewhat experimental; we will physically convene roughly half of the regular 15 week schedule. During those seven seminars (not including the January 31 orientation), we will: 1) discuss readings in order to build a common language, understandings and conceptual frameworks, 2) meet collectively with policy experts on the issues we are researching, and 3) share our policy examination of selected topics (including a final session of presentations on May 8). The "web enhanced" nature of the seminar format will permit us to communicate work in progress and engage in structured discussions via bulletin board forums. You will be expected to engage the issues in the assigned time frame, to share your work, to respond to other students work in progress, and engage the issues raised in the discussions. I hope it is apparent that this course requires an extra measure of focus and personal responsibility. I am excited and optimistic about using the new technologies to "push the envelope". I am also mindful that this is an experimental approach and we are all learning. So we really need to keep in touch with one another as this work proceeds!

Learning Resources and Internet Sites

• Di Iulio, John J. and Kettl, Donald F., Fine Print: The Contract with America, Devolution, and the Administrative Realities of American Federalism, Brookings Institution, 1995
• Conlan, Timothy, From New Federalism to Devolution, Brookings Institution, 1998
• Derthick, Martha, editor, Dilemmas of Scale in America's Federal Democracy, Woodrow Wilson Center Press and Cambridge University Press, 1999
• State and federal documents including legislative reports, GAO reports, Rockefeller Reports, etc. and journal article

Internet Sites

US General Accounting Office

GAO's Office of Intergovernmental Policy Solutions

National Partnership for Reinventing Government, Office of the Vice President, U.S. State and Local Gateway

National League of Cities

National Association of Counties

US Conference of Mayors

National Conference of State Legislatures

Council of State Governments

National Governor's Association

The Brookings Institution

Urban Institute's Assessing the New Federalism Project

California Budget Project

Senate Office of Research

Public Policy Institute of California

Seminar Assignments:

Regular attendance at seminars and informed participation in seminar discussions

Active Participation in Bulletin Board forums

Completion of interim briefings on policy work (either electronically or in class seminar discussions as assigned)

2 individual meetings with Cristy to discuss and refine project assignment

Major Project Assignment (below)

Project Assignment: Project will focus on the identification of major intergovernmental policy/program area and description and analysis of the political/administrative/fiscal issues in the design and implementation of the policy. This analysis should culminate in the articulation of possible future directions and policy strategies. Project shall include a written narrative 18-20 pages and shall include appropriate appendices. Oral presentation of final draft will occur at the at April 24 and May 8 seminar meetings. Final written paper due May 26.

Grading:

Calendar

January 31	Introduction, Orientation, Registration for SacLink Accounts
February 7	Historical Development of Intergovernmental Relationships Students should come prepared to articulate a policy in its intergovernmental context which will ground their work in this seminar (send electronically by noon, February 7) Conlan Chapters 1-10 Jensen
February 21	Political, Constitutional, Fiscal and Policy Context Conlan Chapters 11-14 DiIulio and Kettl Send electronically by February 16 description and analysis of your policy issue in these contexts
March 13	The Current Context: Policy and Administrative Directions Derthick Introduction and Chapter 6 Lieberman and Shaw, Looking Inward, "Looking Outward: The Politics of State Welfare Innovation Under Devolution", coming in Political Research Quarterly, March 2000 (check web site: www.u.arizona.edu/~prq) Jean Ross, Reflections on Devolution in California, The California Wellness Foundation Report (www.tcwf.org) Martha Derthick, American Federalism: Half-Full or Half-Empty, The Brookings Review, Winter 2000 (www.brook.edu) Terrence Maxwell, Working Paper, Information Federalism: History of Welfare Information Systems, Rockefeller Institute of Government, 1999 Urban Institute, Assessing the New Federalism Project, (ongoing) (newfederalism.urban.org) Note: students will continue to research and read on their selected policy areas and are expected to participate in forum discussions on the Bulletin Board
March 27	Assessment by the "Experts": An Interactive Forum Panel of policy experts Note: students will be expected to brief panelists on their work and engage the panelists in a reflection and assessment of the current status/dilemmas/policy choices. Students should provide a bio and background information on the policy expert in their area to all class members no later than March 24. Derthick: Part III, Chapters 7-11
April 10	New Policy Solutions Reflection on Interactive Forum, New Research, and Policy Speculations including examination of new Federal, State, and Local Legislative and Executive Initiatives Readings will be assigned Students should be prepared to discuss current "on the table" initiatives; a description of those initiatives is to be forwarded electronically by April 5.
April 24	Oral Presentations
May 8	Oral Presentations
May 26	Final Paper due

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This page was updated January 27, 2000