PS 355: OREGON GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS

Priscilla L. Southwell

Summer 2008

(subject to minor changes before 8/18)

CLASS HOURS: 5:00-7:50 p.m., Monday, August 18 – Thursday, August 28

OFFICE HOURS: 4-4::50 UWT (805 PLC)

E-MAIL: psouth@uoregon.edu

This course centers on political institutions and processes of the state of Oregon, with particular attention to: 1) the initiative/referendum process; 2) electoral reform, including term limits, campaign financing, and vote-by-mail; and 3) public policy

REQUIRED READING:

Oregon Politics and Government (2005) ed. Clucas, Henkels, and Steel

Course Packets I and II (provided free of charge in class)

GRADING: There will be a midterm examination (40%) and a final exam (60%), covering the lectures, books, and films. These exams will consist primarily of identification and short essays.

COURSE OUTLINE:

August 18 Current Developments/Brief History of Oregon Politics

Film “The Last Angry Man” (in class)

Readings: Chapter 1,2, Oregon Politics and Government

August 19 History of Oregon Politics (cont.)/Political Parties and Elections

Film: “Ballot Measure 9” (in class)

Readings: Chapter 3,4, Oregon Politics and Government

August 20 Political Parties and Elections (cont.)

Film: “History of the University of Oregon” (in class)

Readings: Chapter 5, Oregon Politics and Government

August 21 Executive Politics/Midterm ExaminatioN

Readings: Chapter 7 + 9, Oregon Politics and Government

Finish Course Packet I by midterm examination.

August 22 Judicial Politics/Bureaucracy

Film: “Without Evidence” (in class)

Readings: Chapters 10 + 11, Oregon Politics and Government

August 25 Legislative Politics

Film ” Clear Cut” (in class, 72 minutes)

Readings: Chapters 6+8, Oregon Politics and Government

August 26 Economic and Environmental Policy

Film: “Watercolors” (in class, 55 minutes)

Readings: Chapters 13 +14, Oregon Politics and Government

August 27 Local Politics: County Commission and City Council

Film: “Citizens without Addresses” (in class, 47 minutes)

Readings: Chapter 12, 18 Oregon Politics and Government

August 28 Health Care and Social Policy/FINALEXAM

Film: “The Oregon Story: Agricultural Workers” (in class, 57 minutes)

Readings: Chapter 15, 16 +17, Oregon Politics and Government

Finish Course Packet II by final exam.

GENERAL COURSE POLICIES:

1. This is an intensive offering of this course. The lectures, required reading, and workload expectations are identical to a traditional quarter-long, ten-week course in the subject, so you should be prepare to do considerable reading and reviewing every day during this August 18-28 time period. It is highly recommended that you begin reading the course materials before the first class on August 18^th.

2. You will need to consult your uoregon.edu email account daily, as this is how I will send you important information, including the final exam.

3. There will be no makeups for either exam without a written, documented excuse that is approved by me. If you are approved to take a makeup for the midterm, it will be held at 4 p.m. in my office (117 Friendly) on Friday, August 28. If approved, the makeup for the final examination will be held on Friday, September 26^th from 12-1 p.m. in my office.

4. Students with disabilities will be accommodated. Please contact Disability

Services, 164 Oregon Hall, 346-1155, and they will then advise me as to how to meet your needs

.