Schedule 1st Three Weeks

Andrews/State & Local Government – Spring 2014

Day-by-Day Schedule of Activities & Assignments

Schedule subject to change due to speaker availability!

WEEK ONE

January 8

Introductions, syllabus, FAQ & course overview. Community engagement project.

January 10

What are state & local governments?

DUE: Chapter 1 New Directions for State & Local Government. Also, create your blog site using blogger.com or another blog service & email url to me at pandrews@ndnu.edu.

WEEK TWO

January 13

Engagement project; finding your Community Partner and creating a compelling project.

January 15

How do state and local governments differ from the Federal government? Why do we have them?

DUE: Chapter 2 Federalism & the States. Also, make final choice of CP for CBL project.

Blog Topic #1: In what sense did your CP arise from a local need or perspective? Is your CP constrained or otherwise affected by Federal policies? To whom is your CP accountable?

January 17

Conflicts between Federal, state and local authorities.

DUE: Explore in detail the website of the National Voting Rights Museum and Institute in Selma, Alabama: www.nvrmi.com

Blog Topic #2: What is the legacy of Dr. King with regard to the enforcement of voting rights at the local level for African Americans? Are these rights still in danger for African Americans and other groups in the US?

WEEK THREE

January 20

No class, MLK, Jr. Day holiday

Extra Credit Opportunity: Attend or participate in an organized MLK Day event & submit a 1-2 page written reflection on the activity. Note that NDNU’s Diversity Office may have a limited number of free or low-cost tickets for the Peninsula’s annual “Freedom Train” event. (Due 1/24.)

January 22

The importance of citizen participation within a democracy.

DUE: Chapter 4 Citizen Participation & Elections

Blog Topic #3: What is the relationship between citizens and your CP? On what level do they interact? How can citizen participation affect your CP?

January 24

Speaker: John Gervais, Belmont Park & Recreation, on the importance of citizen participation and volunteerism in keeping state and local parks open and safe during times of extreme cuts to operating budgets. DATE IS CONFIRMED.

DUE: TBA as desired by Mr. Gervais