Political Science 329 Intergovernmental Relations Spring Semester, 2012 Professor Nelson Wikstrom 923 West Franklin Street,

Room 213 Office Hours: Tuesday and Thursday 12:30-1:30, and by appointment. Email: nwikstro@vcu.edu
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Purpose: The purpose of this course is to provide students with an understanding of the operation of federalism, and the dynamics of intergovernmental relations in the United States. Following some introductory comments on the topic, we will examine various concepts and models of . federalism; this will be followed by a discussion and evaluation of the changing nature of fiscal federalism. We will then direct our attention to the national policy process and intergovernmental relations, especially in terms of the implementation of national policy. This material will be followed by a review of interstate and statelocal intergovernmental cooperation and conflict. The conclusion of the course will be devoted to various issues in intergovernmental management, along with the future of federalism and intergovernmental relations in the United States. Texts: The required texts for this course include:

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G. Ross Stephens and Nelson Wikstrom, American Intergovernmental Relations: A Fragmented Federal Polity. New York: Oxford University Press, 2006. [Basic Text] [Referenced as S and W] Paul Manna, Schools In: Federalism an the National Education Agenda: Federalism and the National Education Agenda. Washington, D.C.: Georgetown University Press, 2007. [Referenced as Manna] Jeffrey Pressman and Aaron Wildavsky, Implementation. Berkeley: University of California Press, 1984. [Referenced as P and W]

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Examinations: Three examinations will be given in this course, two during the semester and a final examination. The final examination is of a comprehensive variety. The first and second examinations will count 25% of the course grade, while the final will constitute 50%. Each examination will be of a short answer, essay variety. No makeup examinations will be given.

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Attendance: Regular attendance is strongly suggested; however, no class roll of attendance will be taken. Please note: This class is offered under the following Virginia Commonwealth University policies: Statement on Safety; Honor System; American with Disabilities Act; and, Guidelines for Student Conduct. These policies may be found and reviewed in full on the VCU Web Site. Course Outline and Reading Assignments: A. The United States as a Federal System B. Models of U.S. Federalism C. Contemporary American Federalism D. Fiscal Federalism S and W, Chapter 1 S and W, Chapter 2 S and W, Chapter 3 S and W. Chapter 4 Manna

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FIRST EXAMINATION E. Federalism, Policy Domains, and the Policy Process S and W, Chapter 5

F. Regulation in the Intergovernmental System G. States in the Intergovernmental System H. State-Local Relations I. Local Governments in the Intergovernmental System SECOND EXAMINATION J. Governance Issues in the Intergovernmental System K. The Future of Intergovernmental Relations
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S and W, Chapter 6 S and W, Chapter 7 S and W, Chapter 8 S and W, Chapter 9

S and W, Chapter 10

P and W, Chapters 1-7 L. Course Conclusion: What We Have Learned About IGR FINAL EXAMINATION