POSC 326 Syllabus PDF

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POSC 326: California Government in Comparative Perspective Spring 2020 Instructor: Dr. Tyler Bonanno-Curley Email: [email protected] Course Meetings: MW, 8-9:15 A.M.━SPA 104 Office Hours: MW, 7:30-8 A.M.; or by appointment

Course Description This course is an introduction to California government. It is divided into two main parts: the first part introduces students to the major political institutions within the state, tracing how they developed over time and the interplay between them; the second part analyzes a number of contemporary issues through the lens of these institutional and historical dynamics. Students will not only learn about the history of California government, but also how the legislative and policymaking process works today. Due to its size, shifting demographics, and global economic position as the fifth largest economy, California is often considered an exceptional power within the country and the world. This course, by contrast, is designed to offer students a comparative perspective that places California’s historical development and current status within broader political, economic, and social contexts. We will look at how California operates in relation to other pressures and influences like the federal government and international politics.

Learning Objectives This course builds on the Political Science Department’s learning objectives in the following ways: ● Substantive Knowledge: Provide students with an introductory overview of the history, institutions, and processes of California government and governance; ● Analytical Skills: Offer students opportunities to understand and think critically about the contexts and factors that shape politics, policy, and

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legislation in California; ● Research Skills: Build a foundation for students to conduct research about the policymaking process, evaluate legislative proposals, and understand contemporary issues; and ● Communication Skills: Encourage students to formulate their own perspectives, and communicate complex concepts and ideas in a concise and compelling manner. More broadly, this course is intended to inspire students and get them excited about the many ongoing issues and challenges we face in California.

Readings & Other Sources Required Books: ● Governing California in the Twenty-First Century, 7th Edition. Anagnoson, et al. W. W. Norton & Company, 2019. ● Governing California: Politics, Government, and Public Policy in the Golden State, 3rd Edition. Edited by Ethan Rarick. Berkeley Public Policy Press, 2013. Students are encouraged to regularly check the following sites—as well as local news outlets—for updates on contemporary issues in California government: ● News sites: Capitol Weekly, LA Times CA Politics, Sac Bee Capitol Alerts, CalMatters ● Government sites: Legislative Info, Governor, Assembly, Senate, CA Courts

Assignments & Grading Breakdown Participation (10%): Students will be graded on the frequency and quality of their participation in class discussions and activities. Pop Quizzes (20%): There will be a total of five pop quizzes throughout the course, and students will be graded on their top four scores (5% each). Pop quizzes are designed only to test whether students have read the assigned material, and will focus on core concepts in the readings.

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Case Study Analyses (20%): Each week’s theme has a related case study. Students will choose four case studies to analyze throughout the course (5% each). Students will be graded on their ability to concisely summarize the issue and provide insights into how it relates to key concepts in the course. Midterm Exam (20%): At the conclusion of Part I of the course, there will be an in-class midterm exam. The purpose of the exam is to demonstrate that you understand the basic history, role, and purpose of different political institutions in California. Final Project (30% total): Students will work in groups to analyze a current public policy challenge in Part II of the course. ● Group Presentation (10%): Students will work together to lead a 30minute group presentation and class discussion related to their public policy area. ● Policy Paper (20%): Students will take feedback and insights from the class conversation to produce a final paper, which includes: a concise executive summary; statement of the policy problem; background research about the policy challenge; a stakeholder analysis of the related institutional players; and an innovative proposal to address the issue.

A = 90-100 (excellent work) B = 80-89.99 (good work) C = 70-79.99 (average, satisfactory work) D = 60-69.99 (below average, marginal work) F = 0-59.99 (very unsatisfactory work)

Accommodations & Student Health The Bob Murphy ACCESS Center (BMAC) provides support services for students with deaf or hearing impairments, communication disabilities, learning disabilities, visual limitations, mobility limitations, and other functional disabilities. Prior to a student receiving assistance, documentation from a qualified professional source must be submitted to BMAC: Success Center #110, (562) 985-5401, [email protected]; http://web.csulb.edu/divisions/students/dss/.

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As a student, you may experience a range of issues that can cause barriers to learning. These might include strained relationships, anxiety, high levels of stress, alcohol/drug problems, feeling down, loss of motivation, or housing or food insecurity. The University is here to help with these or other issues you may experience. For more information, please check out these wellness resources.

Course Schedule Wednesday, January 22: Introductions & Course Overview ● Governing California, Chapter 1 (pp. 1-17) Part I: Overview of California Government Progressive Legacy & Direct Democracy Monday, January 27: History of the California Constitution & Progressive Movement ● Governing California, Chapter 2 (pp. 21-46) Wednesday, January 29: Mechanisms of Direct Democracy ● “Direct Democracy,” Miller, Governing California (pp. 131-149) ● Case Study: Proposition 187 The Governor & Executive Branch Monday, February 3: Roles & Powers of the Governor ● Governing California, Chapter 6 (pp. 161-184) Wednesday, February 5: California Governors in Perspective ● “Governors and the Executive Branch,” Rarick, Governing California (pp. 219-245) ● Case Study: Newsom’s First Term The California Legislature Monday, February 10: The Legislative Process ● Governing California, Chapter 5 (pp. 127-156) Wednesday, February 12: Limits of the Legislature

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● “The Legislature: Life under Term Limits,” Kousser et al., Governing California (pp. 247-276) ● Case Study: Legislator Ideologies The California Judiciary Monday, February 17: Organization & History of the Courts ● “The California Judiciary,” Carrillo, Governing California (pp. 306-328) Wednesday, February 19: The Role of the Judiciary ● Governing California, Chapter 7 (pp. 187-206) ● Case Study: California vs. Trump Local & Regional Governments Monday, February 24: Local & Regional Actors ● Governing California, Chapter 9 (pp. 233-256) ● Contract Cities━The Lakewood Plan Wednesday, February 26: Local & Regional Financing ● “Local Government,” Neiman, Governing California (pp. 329-355) ● Case Study: Redevelopment Dissolution Interest Groups & Intergovernmental Dynamics Monday, March 2: The Role of the “Third House” ● Governing California, Chapter 3 (pp. 51-69) Wednesday, March 4: Intergovernmental Dynamics & Analysis ● Case Study: The Fight for Local Control

Midterm Review & Exam Monday, March 9: In-Class Review Wednesday, March 11: Midterm Exam Part II. Analyzing California Today California’s Representational Crises

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Monday, March 16: Representation Matters ● “Voting, Elections...,” Lustig, Remaking California (pp. 99-117) Wednesday, March 18: Immigration Policy & Shifting Demographics ● “California’s Political Geography,” Frederick Douzet & Kenneth Miller, Governing California (pp. 51-89) ● Case Study: Sanctuary State Monday, March 23: 2020 Census & Redistricting ● “Redistricting,” Kogan & McGhee, Governing California (pp. 151-174) California’s Resource Crises Wednesday, March 25: The State Budgetary Process ● Governing California, Chapter 8 (pp. 209-229) ● Case Study: Great Recession & Recovery Monday, March 30: Spring Break—NO CLASS Wednesday, April 1: Spring Break—NO CLASS Monday, April 6: The Limits of Tax Revenue ● “Proposition 13,” Lenny Goldberg, Remaking California (pp. 41-59) ● Reading on Split Roll Initiative Wednesday, April 8: Water & Drought ● “California’s Water Crisis,” Osha Meserve & Remaking California (pp. 154-172) ● Case Study: “Water & Power: A California Heist”

Erik Ringelberg,

California’s Public Policy Crises—Group Presentations Monday, April 13: Housing Crisis—3.5 million homes! ● Supply Side Economics (SB 50) vs. Rent Caps (AB 1482), Vacancy Tax Wednesday, April 15: Homelessness ● LA County Data, Homelessness Crisis

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Monday, April 20: Public Education ● Funding Challenges Wednesday, April 22: Public Health Challenges ● Governor’s Prescription Drug Pricing Plan Monday, April 27: Trade & Transportation ● Tariffs, Cap & Trade, and Clean Air Action Plan Wednesday, April 29: Climate Change ● Wildfire restitution, SB 1, & Federal Pushback Monday, May 4: Labor in the 21st Century Economy ● AB 5 Wednesday, May 6: Life in the Digital Age ● Digital Divide & the California Consumer Privacy Act Finals Week Final Papers Due & In-Class Review of Group Projects...