The central focus of this course will be on politics and governance in American cities. Attention will be given to relations between cities and suburbs and the impact of state and federal decision-making on local policy arenas. We will also examine the role of key institutions such as political machines and interest groups in the shaping of city politics. The course will underscore both the obligations and burdens of local public officials as they grapple with a multitude of critical issues and problems. Our discussions will illuminate the causes and consequences of the social and fiscal crises faced by American cities. We will assess the value and impact of issues such as community power, racial and ethnic political coalitions and conflict, the dilemmas faced by big-city mayors, municipal reform, and urban development and redevelopment. Finally, we will discuss issues pertaining to urban politics including: education, poverty, homelessness, crime, public or low-income housing, urban environmental problems, and transportation. Special attention will be paid to the issue of urban education in Hartford through a community learning project.

Student Responsibilities

Attendance, Reading and Participation

Class attendance is mandatory and critical. Students must arrive to class on time or they will be marked absent. Absences will only be excused with appropriate authorization (for example – a medical excuse). Students with 2 or more accumulated unexcused absences will automatically receive a zero for their participation grade and may be asked to withdraw from the course. Only in the case of an excused absence will students be allowed to make-up written work or exams. If you miss class on the day your group presentation, you will not have an opportunity to make-up these components of the course. In the case of an excused absence on a presentation date, students will be assigned a “pass” for that presentation. This “pass” acts as a “C” in the case of a graded presentation, or minimum credit toward the participation component of the course.

Students are not only expected to attend class, but to have read all assigned readings for that day. Quality participation also will contribute positively to this component of the grade. If you miss class you are responsible for getting the material covered from another student in the class, not the instructor. Furthermore, you are responsible for any changes made or assignments given that day.

Late papers, in the case of unexcused absences, will be docked one whole letter grade each day they are late (a B paper will become a C if it is one day late). Papers are due in class on the date specified by the instructor. If they are delivered after class begins, they will be considered one day late. I will not accept papers or assignments that are submitted electronically.

Your participation grade is based on the quality of class participation, attendance, and your participation during group presentation sessions.

Community Learning

During the course of the semester we will analyze urban education in Hartford. More specifically, we will examine mayoral governance of the Hartford schools to determine the impact of the governance structure on minority empowerment and student achievement. Students will be responsible for conducting interviews with actors in the local educational policy arena including: union representatives, administrators, school board members, teachers, parents, and Mayor Perez himself. We will also collect quantitative data for this project from the school board and the state of Connecticut. At the end of the semester we will create a report based on our research. Each student will write an individual paper (5 -8 pages) based on the research they conducted, connecting their findings to the book Mayors and Schools.

Students are also REQUIRED to attend the Community Learning Symposium at Trinity on Tuesday, October 10, 2006 from 8:30-2:00 (Trinity Days).

Group Presentations & Individual Papers

During several classes over the course of the term a small group of students will be responsible for leading the class. Each group will be assigned a city to research and will be responsible for organizing a class around the information they gather on that city. A reading from the book Racial Politics in American Cities will be assigned to the class in preparation for each group presentation. In addition to leading a discussion based on the assigned reading, each group is responsible for covering the following areas: education, the fiscal condition of the city, and the city’s political landscape. Each section of the presentation should be connected to federal and state relationships with the city under investigation. Group members should also try to make connections between the city they present, the other the other group presentations, and Hartford, our laboratory for the course. In addition to the group presentation, each group member will be responsible for writing a 5-7 page paper in which they discuss the research they conducted and their primary findings (requirements: include appropriate references according to the Chicago Style Manual, double-spacing, 12 point font and regular margins). Papers are due in class on the day of the presentation. I strongly encourage creativity during these group projects and emphasize the importance of getting the class involved in your presentation. Additional details will be provided in class.

City Choices: New Orleans, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angles

Readings: New Orleans- Chapter 8; Philadelphia – Chapter 3; Atlanta – Chapter 7; Chicago – Chapter 5; Los Angeles – Chapter 2

Exam

There will be a final exam in this course. The exam will include a combination of short answer and essay questions based on assigned readings, class lectures, guest lectures, discussions, and videos. The exam date (and time) is not negotiable. Please make your travel arrangements accordingly. Quizzes may also be given periodically and will emphasize assigned readings, class presentations, or relevant articles from the Hartford Courant.

Urban Education Simulation

One class session will be devoted to a simulation exercise. Each student must write a short paper for the simulation based on their assigned role in the exercise. Additional details on the simulation will be provided.

Academic Honesty

Academic misconduct will not be tolerated. All dishonest behavior will be reported to the college. If there is any doubt that you are acting improperly, ask the instructor.

Assistance

If you are having any difficulties with the course material or assignments, I encourage you to come and talk to me. I will be available during office hours and by appointment. If these times are not convenient or if you are not facing any problems but would like to talk about the course, please feel free to come talk to me.

Grade Formula

Group Presentation 10%

Group Presentation Paper 15

Community Learning Project & Paper 20

Community Learning Symposium 5

Simulation Assignment 5

Class Participation/Attendance 20

Final 25

Topic Outline: we will spend one to two weeks on each topic. I will post more specific details on the next week’s readings every Friday.

1. Development of Cities and the Development of Urban Society

Read: Judd & Swanstrom - chapters 1 & 2

Judd & Kantor - chapter 1

Judd & Kantor – chapter 5, only essay by Danielson

2. Urban Governance: Local Leadership and the Politics of Reform

Read: Judd & Swanstrom – chapter 3 & 4

Judd & Kantor - chapter 3

3. National Politics and the Cities

Read: Judd and Swanstrom, chapters 5, 6, 7, 8

Judd and Kantor chapter 9, only essays by Eisinger and Nivola

4. Urban Education

Read: Chambers - all

5. Central Cities: Evolution and Changing Social Context

Read: Judd and Swanstrom, chapters 9 & 13

6. The Fiscal Crisis

Read: Judd & Swanstrom - chapters 12

Judd & Kantor chapter 7

BLACKBOARD Mayors and Money (chapters 1 and 2) Ester R. Fuchs

7. Metropolitan Governance & the Future of Urban America

Read: Judd & Swanstrom – chapters 11 and 14

8. Black Politics in Urban America

Read: Black Atlantic Politics – Entire book

9. Learning From Strangers: The Art & Method of Qualitative Interview Studies

BLACKBOARD

Final Exam – December 14 at 3:00

Simulation – November 16

Community Learning Paper Due – November 28