1997 Catalog description, PSC 212: American Policy System The system of making and implementing public policy with case studies of public policy such as foreign policy, economic policy and civil rights. State and local government with Alabama as a particular example. Recommended: 201. (201 is no longer a pre-requisite, provided that you read the material from 201 in the textbook).

• Knowledge of the federal system
• Understanding of the process of making and implementing public policy
• Knowledge of case studies of domestic public policy such as economic policy, health care, welfare and civil rights. 
• Competence in the basics of international relations
• A brief introduction to US foreign policy
• Introductory knowledge of state and local government 
• Understanding of Alabama as a particular example of politics
• Critical thinking about current challenges in state politics and policy
• Critical thinking about current challenges in federal policymaking

• Competent exam essays on the federal policymaking system
• Competent exam essays on US domestic policy
• Critical discussion of the contemporary challenges in US domestic policy
• Competent exam essays on US foreign policy
• Critical discussion of the contemporary challenges in US foreign policy
• Competent exam essays on the current challenges in world politics
• Critical discussion of the current challenges in world politics
• A competent research paper or set essay (judged by content, research, organization & writing) on some aspect of the term's material

This course will present you with some of the moral questions about public policy and explain some of the choices the American system has made in public programs. For example, what does federal law actually say about abortion, school prayer or capital punishment? How does the law match or contradict public opinion? Why is American health care policy or taxation so distinct from that of other developed liberal democracies? Is the federal government actually distinguished by waste, fraud and abuse -- or is that more true of the states and cities, including Alabama and Montgomery?

For this purpose we shall examine classic readings in political theory and perhaps recognize the echoes of their arguments in current political debates. Throughout the Janda text you will find fascinating data tables which we will examine in class -- and in Serow's The Lanahan Polity Reader, classic readings of political theory for class debate.

Rather than simply listening to lectures, you will be invited to present readings, and question guest speakers in class on the dilemmas of democracy and public policy. Mondays will usually offer an interactive lecture on the key points of the main text chapter, often followed by a Wednesday discussion of Janda's data charts or Serow's readings. Often the end of the week will offer a guest speaker, video documentary , or Serow reading-based seminar with students contributing presentations, questions and discussion. (You may present from outline notes, but not by reading out of the book: that is unparliamentary!)

ABOUT THE BOOKS:

• Kenneth Janda, Jeffrey Berry and Sheldon Goldman, The Challenge of Democracy. (Houghton Mifflin /DC Heath.) Probably the liveliest of the more theoretical leading texts. [Chapters 11-20]
• Study Guide for the Challenge of Democracy. (Houghton Mifflin /DC Heath.) [Chapters 11-20]. Recommended as preparation for tests, explains text's concepts, but not required.
• Ann Serow (ed), The Lanahan American Polity Reader. (Lanahan Press.) [Parts 13-16]. The cheapest and yet perhaps the most plentiful anthology on the market. You will present and discuss most of these in seminar sessions, matching each section to a chapter of Challenge. 
• William Riordon, Plunkitt of Tamany Hall. (Dutton). [Entire]. Classic, brief memoir of ward politics in an immigrant machine. How well does this relate to modern Alabamian politics?
• Lawrence G. Brewster and Genie Stowers, The Public Agenda. (Thomson /Wadsworth.) [Entire]. A lively, inexpensive text on topics in public policy.

 
• Library Reserve: Selected policy chapters of some excellent American Government texts. e.g., James Q. Wilson and John DiIulio, American Government.; Thomas Patterson, American Government; or Fiorina and Peterson, The New American Democracy. 
• Some other materials (e.g. on Alabama state politics, campaigning, the Clinton Presidency and the 1994 or 1996 elections) may be placed on Reserve.
• Current Affairs: You will subscribe to Newsweek or US News at the lowest available discount -- generally under $9. The magazine will bill you directly.

Students With Disabilities, HC notice:
"Huntingdon College makes every reasonable accommodation for disabilities that have been processed and approved through our Disability Services Committee in accord with the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. In order to request disability-related services at Huntingdon College, students must self-identify to the Disabilities Intake Coordinator, and provide appropriate and up-to-date documentation to verify their disability or special needs. After the accommodations have been approved by the Disability Services Committee, the 504 Coordinator will notify your professor(s) of the Committee’s decision.  If you have any questions regarding reasonable accommodation or need to request disability-related services, please contact Disability Services at (334) 833-4556 or email disabilityservices@huntingdon.edu."