PUB 230: Intergovernmental Relations

Course Description

This course will focus on the nature and dynamics of the American federal system of government, including all levels of government: federal, state, county, municipal, and special districts. Topics include: the reciprocal influences of local, state, and federal bureaucracies, revenue sharing among different units of government, and the complex nature of state-local and inter-local relations in an urban setting. (3 credits)

Prerequisite

None

Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs)

After completion of this course students are expected to have achieved a considerable knowledge of the following topics related to intergovernmental relations. Specifically, each student should be able to:

Identify the basic tenets of modern intergovernmental relations.
Explain the theoretical foundations of a federalist system.
Apply the legal aspects of intergovernmental relations.
Apply the political aspects of intergovernmental relations.
Apply the fiscal aspects of intergovernmental relations.
Apply the administrative aspects of intergovernmental relations.
Identify emerging issues and challenges in our federalist system.
Postulate as to the future of intergovernmental relations.

Course Activities and Grading

List below are the graded assignments, along with the applicable week, course points, and weight. A student’s course grade is the cumulative weight of all four (4) assignments.

Assignments	Weight
Discussions (Weeks 1-8)	50%
Midterm (Week 4)	25%
Final Exam (Week 8)	25%
Total	100%

Required Textbooks

Available through Charter Oak State College's online bookstore

O'Toole, Jr., Laurence J. Editor. American Intergovernmental Relations: Foundations, Perspectives, and Issues. 5th ed. CQ Press, 2013. ISBN-13: 978-1-4522-2629-3

Course Schedule

Week	SLOs	Readings and Exercises	Assignments
1	1,2	Topic: American Intergovernmental Relations: An Overview Readings: Introduction: American Intergovernmental Relations - An Overview	Self Introductions - Each student is expected to introduce themselves to the other class members. (Non-Graded) Read assigned chapters Participate in the Discussions Review the Lecture material
2	1,2	Topics: Conceptual & Theoretical Foundations Readings: Chapter 1: The Federal System Chapter 2: Models of Nation, State & Local Relationships Chapter 3: The Paradox of the Middle Tier Chapter 4: Intergovernmental Management	Read assigned chapters Participate in the Discussions Review the Lecture material
3	3	Topic: Legal Aspects of Intergovernmental Relations Readings: Chapter 5: The U.S. Constitution Chapter 6: Federalist No. 39 Chapter 7: What the Framers Meant by Federalism Chapter 8: Dead or Alive? The Federalism Revolution and its Meaning for Public Admin	Read assigned chapters Participate in the Discussions Review the Lecture material Prepare for Midterm Exam (Exam covers chapters 1-13)
4	4	Topic: Political Aspects of Intergovernmental Relations Readings: Chapter 9: Governments as Interest Groups Chapter 10: Trends & Issues in Interstate Cooperation Chapter 11: Office of Intergovernmental Affairs Chapter 12: Ways of Achieving Federal Objectives Chapter 13: Beyond Preemption: Intergovernmental Partnerships to Enhance the New Economy	Read assigned chapters Participate in the Discussions Review the Lecture material Complete the Midterm Exam (Exam covers chapters 1-13)
5	5	Topic: Fiscal Impacts of Intergovernmental Relations Readings: Chapter 14: The Economics of Intergovernmental Grants Chapter 15: Federal Grants-in-Aid to State Governments Chapter 16: Entrepreneurial Cities, U.S. Federalism & Economic Development Chapter 17: Why Categorical Grants? Chapter 18: Financing Local Government in a Changing World Chapter 19: Tense Commandments - Federal Prescriptions & City Problems Chapter 20: Taxes or Grants - What Revenue Source for Sub-central Governments?	Read assigned chapters Participate in the Discussions Review the Lecture material
6	6	Topic: Administrative Aspects of Intergovernmental Relations Readings: Chapter 21: The Techniques of Intergovernmental Regulation Chapter 22: The Politics of Unfunded Mandates Chapter 23: Another Look at Bargaining & Negotiating in Intergovernmental Management Chapter 24: American Public Administration and Impacts of International Governance	Read assigned chapters Participate in the Discussions Review the Lecture material
7	7	Topic: Emerging Issues and Challenges Readings: Chapter 25: Homeland Security – The Federalism Challenge Chapter 26: Federalism by Waiver: Medicaid & the Transformation of Long-term Care Chapter 27: Medical Marijuana – Implementing Gonzalez v. Raich Chapter 28: Policy Innovation or Vertical Integration? Chapter 29: National Health Care: NFIB v. Sebelius	Read assigned chapters Participate in the Discussions Review the Lecture materia Prepare for the Final Exam (Exam covers chapters 14-30)
8	1-8	Topics: The Future of Intergovernmental Relations Readings: Chapter 30: Intergovernmental Relations and Federalism Epilogue: American Intergovernmental Relations - Concluding Thoughts	Read assigned chapters Participate in the Discussions Review the Lecture material Complete the Final Exam (Exam covers chapters 14-30) Complete Course Evaluation

COSC Accessibility Statement

Charter Oak State College encourages students with disabilities, including non-visible disabilities such as chronic diseases, learning disabilities, head injury, attention deficit/hyperactive disorder, or psychiatric disabilities, to discuss appropriate accommodations with the Office of Accessibility Services at OAS@charteroak.edu.

COSC Policies, Course Policies, Academic Support Services and Resources

Students are responsible for knowing all Charter Oak State College (COSC) institutional policies, course-specific policies, procedures, and available academic support services and resources. Please see COSC Policies for COSC institutional policies, and see also specific policies related to this course. See COSC Resources for information regarding available academic support services and resources.