Isaiah 33
22 For the LORD is our judge,
the LORD is our lawgiver,
the LORD is our king;
it is he who will save us.

Harding University Spring 2016

POLS 353/553

2:30-3:45, T/R, GB201

Arkansas, State and Local Government

Instructor: Lori Klein	Office: 208 Ganus Building

Contacts/Office Hours: You can reach me, yea verily, in a multitude of ways: Office phone: 279-4375; Home: 279-0628; Rachel, our ever competent and helpful Departmental Secretary: 279-4427; Facebook; e-mail - lklein@harding.edu ; my website - http://www.harding.edu/lklein and the always popular note under the door. I will make my best effort to be in my office for drop-ins on Mondays and Wednesdays from 3:00-5:00, and on Tuesday and Thursday from 3:45-4:45. I will also be keeping office hours by appointment this semester.

Course Objective: The primary objective of the course is to develop a knowledge of state and local government that is deep enough to foster good citizenship, to assist those who chose government as a career or avocation, and to ready those who will be charged with passing along this same knowledge to their own students. This course is designed as an overview of the political and policy making processes of state governments and local governments. Arkansas' state government and local government structures will be used as a point of reference for understanding course concepts.

Texts: David Saffell, State and Local Government: Politics and Public Policies (9th edition) ISBN – 9780073526324

League of Women Voters of Arkansas, Government in Arkansas (9th edition) ISBN 9780976631224

In keeping with the objectives of the course, we will be using two texts, one a general overview, and one specific to Arkansas. We will be taking readings from each text as they relate to the topic under discussion. The readings are NOT in chapter order, so keep the schedule handy to know what to read. I will also be assigning additional readings from my vast collection of State and Local Government articles, and will often make them available to you on my website.

I want you to be well prepared to understand the topics which are being presented and discussed in class; therefore it is very important that you keep up with the readings. Read the assigned chapters before the scheduled lectures on the topics and you will have an excellent foundation for learning in the classroom. If you read them during the time we are discussing the topic in class, they will provide reinforcement for what we are learning. If you read them before the test as a review, they will provide a comprehensive overview of the topic. I don’t care when you read ‘em. Just read ‘em!

There will always be test questions taken only from the readings. Do your readings or gnomes will come in and eat your grades up.

I also STRONGLY recommend that you gain access, either in print form or via the web, to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. We will regularly be discussing legislative activity and looking for real life examples of class concepts. The paper is a useful source for such information. You can subscribe to the Sunday print edition and gain web access all week!

Grading Scale: Grades will be determined using the following scale of 1000 possible points:

900 - 1000	(90% - 100%)	=	A

800 - 899	(80% - 89.9%)	=	B

700 - 799	(70% - 79.9%)	=	C

600 - 699	(60% - 69.9%)	=	D

000 - 599	(00% - 59.9%)	=	F

Grading for the Course: The graded requirements of this course will be given the following weight:

Due Date

(Test dates are provided on the class schedule and are subject to change.)

Test 1	50 pts.

Test 2	50 pts.

Test 3	50 pts.

Test 4	50 pts.

Test 5	50 pts.

Test 6	50 pts.

Test 7	50 pts.

Test 8	50 pts.

Test 9	50 pts.

Test 10	50 pts.	(Total test value -- 500 pts.)

Research Project	200 pts.	(3/29)

Observations:	City	33 pts.	(4/28 or before)

County	33 pts.	(4/28 or before)

State Capitol	34 pts.	TBA

COMPREHENSIVE Exam	200 pts.	(Thursday, May 5th, 3:30 – 5:30)

Total Semester Points	1000 pts

Extra Credit Constitution Quiz:	20 pts.	(April 04-08)

Course Components:

1) Tests: There will be ten tests throughout the semester. The tests are intended to measure your growing knowledge and help you prepare for the final. In order to more accurately assess your knowledge, a variety of question types will be used throughout the semester: short answer, fill in the blank, essay, matching, definitions, multiple choice, etc. Because of the number of tests, and the Tuesday/Thursday structure of the class, a brief lecture time will follow the tests.

2) Research Project - My State and Local Governments: This requires a significant amount of research, so start early. Each person should prepare a well organized, complete set of answers to the questionnaire which is on the website at http://www.harding.edu/lklein/me_and_my_state_and_local_govern.htm. All questions must be answered. You must use the format I have provided. This is your major writing assignment for the semester. There is no way the questions can be fully answered in three or four pages. Turabian style Footnotes are required, as well as a bibliography. A print-out of each web source is required. Tab or mark each print-out to indicate the footnote it is related to. Be wary of the temptation to simply "cut and paste" from a state, county or city website. Do not do this; it is plagiarism. The only things you are allowed to “cut and paste” are the actual questions from my website. I want each of you to do your own, independent research. Persons from the same state may NOT work together on this project.

3) Observations: You will attend one meeting each of your city and county legislative bodies. The Searcy City Council meets at 7:00 on the second Tuesday of the month, with a pre-council (that’s the fun one!) meeting at 5:00 the preceding Thursday. The White County Quorum Court meets at 7:00 on the third Tuesday of the month. As proof of attendance, you must submit the Local Government Observation Form from my website. Please attach an annotated agenda or other documents if they are available. You may attend meetings in other areas, but please let me know first. You have a limited number of opportunities to fulfill this requirement. Plan ahead.

4) Capitol Trip: We will go as a class to the capitol. I anticipate that we will leave at 7:45 or earlier from the Ganus Building lot. Parking is ridiculously limited. We will be taking the Harding bus. We will tour the Supreme Court Building, tour the Capitol and then we will observe committees and floor activity. Bring enough money for lunch, and please dress appropriately. We generally return about 5:00 pm. A blanket notice will be sent out for those who need to be excused from any classes.

5) Final Exam: The final will be comprehensive. It will be based on the readings and lectures. There will also be questions about presentations and observations during the semester. As with the tests, a variety of question types will be used: short answer, matching, fill in the blank, essay, definitions, multiple choice, etc.

FAQs:

Do you offer makeup tests? It depends… For an excused absence (death, documented illness or University related activity), make-up tests will be offered only at the regularly scheduled departmental time, Monday or Thursday from 3:00-5:00 pm, and Tuesday or Wednesday morning 8:00 – 11:00 except for your chapel period. You will have two opportunities to make up a test (i.e.: Mon. and Thurs. or Thurs. and the following Mon.) After your two opportunities, the missed test will be recorded as a zero. For an unexcused absence, a make up test will only be offered at the instructor’s discretion, and, if required by the instructor, upon satisfactory completion of the following assignment:	Constituent Letter:

Part One: You will choose an issue of current national interest relating to state or local government, and will become more informed about the topic. You will develop a (minimum) three page briefing paper on the subject, outlining the current situation, proposed changes or policy choices, the implications of each alternative and the political players involved. A bibliography is required. In addition, you will provide copies of all documents used in your research. This assignment is a required component of the Constituent Letter exercise. Constituent Letters will NOT be graded until this component has been completed. This assignment will be graded on a Pass/Fail basis. Part Two: Using your chosen topic, you will write a letter to an elected official stating your position on proposed or desired legislation, or your opinion on the issue as it is currently being considered. You will provide me with blind copies of your letters. Your choice of issue and your opinions are your own and are confidential; the purpose of this exercise is to familiarize you with your role as a constituent.

What is your attendance policy? Pretty serious. Attendance at all classes is expected. Assigned seats will be used to assist in learning your names and monitoring attendance. You must see me for excused absences within two class periods of the absence. At the end of the semester, those students with one or no unexcused absences will be able to benefit from a more lenient rounding policy: I will round up a maximum of five points. If you have more than three unexcused absences, I will NOT round up, not even the tiniest bit. If you have made no attempts to earn extra credit, I will not round up.

Students who accumulate 3 or more unexcused absences will be subject to the loss of a letter grade. Those with 5 or more unexcused absences will be removed from the class roster with an automatic grade of “F”. When you are dropped from the class, you may not then “withdraw.” If a student accumulates more than 10 excused absences, the nature of the course has been changed to an independent study. Consequently, a 20 page (15 sources) Turabian style research paper on an approved topic related to American government, policy or politics will then be required in addition to the points necessary for a passing grade.

Are these all required components? Yes. Each assignment is a required component of the course; failure to turn it in may result in the loss of a letter grade for each missing item, subtracted from the earned semester grade.

What about late assignments? Don’t even think about it! Any written assignment which is turned in after the assigned time will be penalized by one letter grade per day, deducted from the earned grade for that assignment. If you are ill, contact me BEFORE the deadline. NO work will be accepted after the final day of class.

Is there a chance to earn extra credit? Of course! There will be a maximum of 20 points available for extra credit (2% of the total available points). Extra credit for this course is in the form of a 20 point extra credit quiz on the Constitution. The quiz will be made available in the last half of the semester in the Testing Center. Extra credit can also be earned by attending the Learning Workshops available each semester, at the rate of 2 points per workshop. The Workshops are listed in your class schedule. American Studies Institute speakers generate 10 points for a two paragraph, typed description of what the speaker said and what you thought about the presentation. Again, there is a maximum of 20 points total extra credit.

Other Things You Need to Know:

A note about assessment: The official Harding policy states: “Harding University, since its charter in 1924, has been strongly committed to providing the best resources and environment for the teaching--‐learning process. The board, administration, faculty, and staff are wholeheartedly committed to full compliance with all criteria of the Higher Learning Commission. The university values continuous, rigorous assessment at every level for its potential to improve student learning and achievement and for its centrality in fulfilling the stated mission of Harding. Thus, a comprehensive assessment program has been developed that includes both the Academic units and the Administrative and Educational Support (AES) units. Specifically, all academic units will be assessed in reference to the following Expanded Statement of Institutional Purpose: The University provides programs that enable students to acquire essential knowledge, skills, and dispositions in their academic disciplines for successful careers, advanced studies, and servant leadership.”

Students with Disabilities: It is the policy for Harding University to accommodate students with disabilities, pursuant to federal and state law. Therefore, any student with a documented disability condition (e.g. physical, learning, or psychological) who needs to arrange reasonable accommodations must contact the instructor and the Disabilities Office at the beginning of each semester. (If the diagnosis of the disability occurs during the academic year, the student must self--‐identify with the Disabilities Office as soon as possible in order to get academic accommodations in place for the remainder of the semester.) The Disabilities Office is located in Room 219 in the Student Center, telephone, (501) 279‐4019.

Time Management Expectations: For every course credit hour, the typical student should expect to spend at least three clock hours per week of concentrated attention on course-related work, including but not limited to time attending class, as well as out-of-class time spent reading, problem solving, reviewing, organizing notes, preparing for upcoming quizzes/exams, developing and completing projects, and other activities that enhance learning. Thus, for a three-hour course, a typical student should expect to spend at least nine hours per week dedicated to the course.

Dress Code: All members of the Harding community are expected to maintain standards of modesty and decency in dress appropriate to the Christian lifestyle and consistent with professional employment expectations. For these reasons, students are expected to adhere to an established dress code. Additional standards of dress may be required by certain academic or extracurricular programs. All students are expected to abide by the Student Handbook. A student may be asked to leave class or other activities if they are not in keeping with these expectations.

Here a few helpful hints: 1) Bad ideas – Manpris and ‘Bro’ga pants. I wish I were making those up, but I’m not. 2) If they fit like your grandmother’s pantyhose, you are wearing leggings, not pants. I’m from the 80’s and I’m here to help you. Trust me, leggings are NOT pants. 3) If I can see your knees, they’re not capris. You are wearing shorts, and we don’t wear shorts to class at Harding. 4) Finally, no one came to a Political Science class to see your underwear. Seriously.

Academic Integrity: Cheating in all its forms is inconsistent with Christian faith and practice and will result in sanctions up to and including dismissal from the class with a failing grade.

Academic dishonesty will result in penalties up to and including dismissal from the class with a failing grade and will be reported to the Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs. All instances of dishonesty will be handled according to the procedures delineated in the Harding University catalog.

Sinning by cheating, and thus distancing yourself from God, is trading your birthright for a mess of pottage. If you don’t know what this means, come ask me! (Portions of the above wording are used with permission of the Provost Office at Georgetown University. Portions are from Genesis.)

(Portions of the above wording are used with permission of the Provost Office at Georgetown University. Portions are from Genesis.)

Cheating is not allowed in the Testing Center, in the classroom during exams, or during make-up exams. Plagiarism, unsanctioned group work, or fabrication is not allowed for written assignments or for extra credit ASI assignments. Looking at other’s test or answers is cheating. Texting or conversing during exams is prima facie evidence of cheating. The possession of notes or a line of sight to notes will also be considered prima facie evidence of cheating. All bags, personal belongings, pencil cases, and electronic items will be placed at the front of the class or with the exam proctor during exams.

Here’s the bottom line on cheating– I am consistently catching students cheating - almost every semester. I’m tired of it. It depresses me and it takes LOTS of my time to go through the paperwork and meetings. I am asking this as a personal favor: PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE don’t cheat in my class. It gets between you and God; it makes my life harder, and it really does go on your permanent record. It just isn’t worth it. I’d rather see you earn an honest D than a dishonest B. Last semester, for the first time in years (yes, years) I did not have any incidents of cheating. I would so very much like to have an entire year go by without dealing with cheaters. Please do your part to help make that happen.	Thanks for listening. Mrs. K

Students are expected to do their own work. The university's policy on cheating is found in the University Catalog’s Academic Integrity Policy:

IV. Violations of Academic Integrity

Violations of academic integrity, also called academic misconduct, include, but are not limited to, the following offenses:

Cheating: Use or attempted use of unauthorized materials, information or study aids in any academic exercise. Such infractions include, but are not limited to, the following:

Using or having access to materials not authorized for the completion of a quiz or test, such as hidden notes, tape recorders, cell phones, cameras, text messages, wands, computers, or other electronic devices.

Copying from another student during a quiz or test.

Copying another student’s assignment or project.

Obtaining answers to quizzes and tests including those provided online and out-of-class.

Plagiarism: Representing the words, ideas or data of another as one’s own in any academic exercise. Plagiarism is a type of stealing, whether done deliberately or by mistake. Such violations include, but are not limited to, the following:

Purchasing a paper from an electronic source or other entity.

Downloading a partial paper or an entire paper from the Internet and submitting it as one’s own or allowing someone else (including tutors) to write, or significantly rewrite, a paper and then submitting it as one’s own.

Using ideas, paraphrases, and/or direct quotes from a source without clear documentation of that source.

Recycling a paper from a concurrent class or a class that was previously taken in high school or college without the permission of the instructor to do so.

Copying verbatim from a source without using quotation marks, even if the source has been cited.

Copying, in part or in whole, from a print source, media broadcast or recording, or the Internet or other electronic media without proper acknowledgement of the source.

Copying another person’s sentence style and structure, key words, organizational plan, or unique words or ideas without proper documentation.

Fabrication: Falsification or unauthorized invention of any information or citation in an academic exercise. Such misconduct includes, but is not limited to, the following:

Taking a course, test or quiz for another student.

Fabricating source information within an assigned paper and/or on the works cited page.

Fabricating lab or research information.

Submitting collaborative and/or group work as one’s own, unless the instructor has given permission for students to do so.

Completing another student’s class assignment for the student.

Collaborating on out-of-class assignments with students, professors, family members and/or friends when the instructor intended for students to work independently.

Claiming to have attended an assigned function, such as a service activity, a performance, a job interview, a home visit, a symposium, an observation, or a lecture without having attended the function or performed the actual service.

Lying to a University employee about assignments or attendance.

Making unauthorized use of University letterhead.

Forging a signature for academic purposes.

Attempting to change an assigned grade or other information on any official University document, data source or electronic item.

Aiding and abetting academic dishonesty: Intentionally helping or attempting to help another student commit an act of academic dishonesty. Such misconduct includes, but is not limited to, the following:

Allowing another student to copy one’s work and to submit the work as his or her own.

Stealing an exam or quiz from an instructor or copying a test or quiz and/or sharing it with other students.

Sharing test questions with another student who has not taken the test.

Giving answers to quizzes and tests including those provided online and out-of-class.

Sharing test results in a non-proctored test environment in which an honor code is imposed.

Failing to challenge dishonest conduct witnessed in other students.

Conduct unbecoming a professional while participating in a practicum, internship, field experience, or any similar academic experience. Such academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to, the following:

Identifying oneself as a Harding student in off-campus locations for unauthorized academic, professional or personal gain (for example, using a student nursing ID badge to gain access to a hospital area for non-educational purposes).

Violating the legally protected privacy of employees or patients in learning environments.

Disregarding policies of work environments in which learning occurs.

Acting in a manner that violates course policies or policies of the academic division.

Theft, abuse, hoarding or concealment of academic property. Academic property includes, but is not limited to, the following:

Library resources and materials

Laboratory equipment and supplies

Departmental or class resources

Tests and quizzes

The Department of History and Social Science’s Plagiarism Policy is as follows:

HISTORY DEPT. POLICY ON PLAGIARISM

To plagiarize is to present another person's words, information, or ideas as if they were your own. Plagiarism is stealing. The word "plagiarize" comes from the Latin word for "kidnapper" and "thief." Plagiarism is a serious offense that will be grounds for failure of a course and could even lead to suspension from the university. As an academic institution committed to Christian ethics, including integrity, honesty, and fairness, Harding University abhors all forms of plagiarism. The following statements from the Student Handbook underscore this point: "Harding University considers the following to be in conflict with her mission, and therefore prohibited - participation in these will result in disciplinary action: 1. Dishonesty in any form, including academic misconduct; plagiarism; falsification of excuses, tests and assignments; forgery; . . . and lying to University officials." (p. 8)

Plagiarism can be intentional and deliberate, as when one has another write an assignment for him/her, buys a research paper from any source, uses a paper written for another class without permission of the teacher, or copies from a print source, media broadcast, recording, the internet or other electronic media, thereby deliberately incorporating the words of another without using quotation marks to identify their source. All of these types of plagiarism may be referred to as "flagrant." In such cases of flagrant plagiarism, students can expect not only to fail the assignment in which plagiarism has occurred, but the course as well. A report of any course failure resulting from plagiarism will be filed with the Student Personnel Office and the Vice President for Academic Affairs. As a result, the student could face additional disciplinary action, including suspension from the university..

Plagiarism can also be "unintentional"or "inadvertent"--but no less serious an offense. This form of plagiarism typically occurs because students are unaware of what must be acknowledged. Many students believe that all one has to do to avoid plagiarizing and at the same time avoid the use of footnotes is to paraphrase, or even merely change a word here or there in a source. Paraphrasing may relieve you of the necessity of using quotation marks; but it by no means eliminates the need for documenting the source of your information. Undocumented information constitutes a more "subtle" form of plagiarism, but it is plagiarism nonetheless since one is passing off information or ideas as one's own. Now that you have been informed of the necessity of documenting even paraphrased information, instances of this "subtle" form of plagiarism will result in at least a 0 on the assignment in which it occurs and the filing of a "plagiarism report" with the departmental chair. A student who engages in additional plagiarism, either in the same course or another course in this department may expect the same penalty as described above for cases of "flagrant" plagiarism. All college students are expected to recognize plagiarism of either type and know how to avoid it. Take time now to learn the rules so that you never engage in it. From this point onward, we will presume your familiarity with the rules governing plagiarism; all cases will thus be prima facie evidence of guilt.