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PSCI 3424 State & Local Government

This course will explore political, institutional, and policy issues at the state and local levels of U.S. government, with an emphasis on comparisons among the states. It is not a course on Virginia politics, although we will on occasion use examples from Virginia to illustrate more general practices and problems in states. Since 2007 is an election year in New Jersey, Virginia, and a handful of other states, campaigns will be discussed throughout the semester. Examined as well will be the state and local campaigns in 2006 and the early performances of new governors in states like Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, and Ohio and of new mayors such as Adrian Fenty in Washington, D.C. and former U.S. Representative Ronald Dellums in Oakland. Every state legislature in the country will be in session this spring, and we will pay considerable attention to the operation, decision-making, and impact of such bodies. The course also will look at the evolving condition of local-state-national relations, and it will explore the continuing implications of the September 11^th terrorist attacks and of Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Wilma for state and local governance. Three fundamental questions will weave throughout the class. First, in a federal system, which activities are most appropriately performed at what level(s) of government? Second, what are the current capabilities of subnational governments to perform these tasks? Third, and perhaps most fundamentally, what are the possibilities for democratic governance at the state and local levels?

Prerequisite: PSCI 1014, PSCI 1015, or instructor permission.

Instructor: Dr. Karen Hult [khult@vt.edu]

Office: 537 Major Williams    

Phone: 231-5351
Spring 2007 Office Hours: M 2:30-4, Th 11-12:30, and by appt.

Spring 2007 syllabus

Hot Links

• Virginia Legislature
• Commonwealth of Virginia home page
• Stateline.org
• State/Local Government on the 'Net [This site contains a range of links to individual states, national government sites, and organizations relevant to state and local politics, government, and policy.]
• State and Local Governments (Library of Congress)  [Among other useful info, site includes links to individual states' web pages.]
• U.S. Census Bureau State Population Estimates
• U.S. Census Bureau County Population Estimates
• U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates for Cities and Towns
• U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates for Metro Areas
• U.S. Census Bureau Statistical Abstract
• Council of State Governments Home Page
• National Conference of State Legislatures Home Page
• National Governors Association
• State Court Sites
• National Association of Counties
• National City Government Resource Center
• U.S. Campaigns and Elections
• GOVERNING [This is probably the premier monthly periodical on state and local governance.]
• WASHINGTON POST
• WASHINGTON TIMES
• RICHMOND TIMES-DISPATCH
• ROANOKE TIMES
• VIRGINIAN-PILOT
• Daily Newspapers on the Internet
• State and Local Career Center

Local Government Meeting Opportunities

• Montgomery County Board of Supervisors: Meets second and fourth Mondays, at 7:15 p.m., at the Montgomery County Government Center, 755 Roanoke Street, Christiansburg. <Board of Supervisors>
• Montgomery County School Board: Meets first and third Tuesdays, at 7:30 p.m., at 200 Junkin St. in Christiansburg; meetings sometimes are re-scheduled, so it’s best to check before going. <School Board>
• Blacksburg Town Council: Meets second and fourth Tuesdays, at 7:30 p.m., in the Council chambers, Blacksburg Municipal Building, 300 South Main St. <Blacksburg Town Council>
• Christiansburg Town Council: Meets first and third Tuesdays, at 7:30 p.m., in the Council chambers, Christiansburg Municipal Building, 100 East Main St. <Christiansburg Town Council>
• Montgomery County Courts (27th Judicial District): Circuit Court is held in the Montgomery County Courthouse in Christiansburg; District Court and the Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court are held in Blacksburg (in the Town Council chambers, Blacksburg Municipal Building) and Christiansburg. It's well worth calling ahead to be sure that there's actual court business on a given day (Circuit Court: 382-5760; General District Court: Blacksburg 961-1116, Christiansburg 382-5735; Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court: Blacksburg 961-1117, Christiansburg 382-6999). 

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