Faculty Contact Information:
Archie J. Twitchell, DPA
Email: atwitche@cs.com
Tel. & Fax 859 881 0914
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Consultation:
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Required Texts and Readings:
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Texts used exclusively in this course --
O'Toole, L. J. Ed. (2000). American intergovernmental relations, (4th ed.). Washington, DC. CQ Press.
Peterson, P. E. (1995). The price of federalism. Washington, DC. The Brookings Institute.
Text used in multiple courses:
American Psychological Association. (2001). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association, (5th ed.). Washington DC: Author | |
Supplementary Readings:
The Articles of Confederation: http://www.constitution.org/cons/usa-conf.htm
The U.S. Constitution: http://www.constitution.org/cons/constitu.txt
The Constitution of Virginia ? 1776: http://www.nhinet.org/ccs/docs/va-1776.htm
In addition, all graduate students should be prepared to utilize the UMUC online library at www.ed.umuc.edu/library . The library contains a large number of full text academic journals that are free of charge and immediately available. The library homepage also contains a number of links related to improving students' research and writing skills.
USEFUL WEBSITE: http://www.aspanet.org | |
Recommended Journals:
| A variety of full-text, online, free-of-charge and pay-per-view academic journals are listed in the UMUC library. | |
Course Description:
| Prerequisite: Undergraduate American political science or American government. Focuses on the complexities and inadequacies of the federal-state-local system; with conflicts and cooperation between the three levels; with changing roles of government; with the development of structures, processes, and management to strengthen the intergovernmental system and improve performance; and with increasing student problem-solving and managerial capabilities. | |
Course Goals:
As a required course in the management track of the MPA, this course analyzes the challenges of managing programs within federalist systems of government. Upon completion of this course, participants should have an understanding of the:
- history of the federalism.
- significant legislation pertaining to IGR.
- unique problems of state government.
- challenges and promises of local and regional governments.
- crisis of state and local budgeting.
- impact of the courts on IGR.
- alternative funding arrangements of state and local activities
- probable future of intergovernmental relations.
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Course Objectives:
At the conclusion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Identify the primary grant mechanisms.
- Compare and contrast the distinct phases of IGR.
- Delineate intergovernmental “tax domains.”
- Differentiate between the primary IGR policies
- Explain intergovernmental policy overlap issues.
- Identify new areas of state and local finances.
- Develop new models for revenue estimation.
- Implement new methods of revenue collection and disbursement.
- Identify the means of circumventing balanced budget amendments.
- Detect the major problems facing state and local governments.
- Develop strategies for avoiding costly social service litigation cases.
- Identify sources of grant money at state and nation levels.
- Write a grant proposal.
- Apply governmental policy objectives more effectively.
- Implement new laws pertaining to Equal Opportunity.
- Generate appropriate charts, tables and graphs.
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Grading Information:
Grades for this course will be assigned as follows:
Participation 100 points
Term paper 100
Midterm exam 100
Final exam 100
Projects (two) 100
Total 500
Course grades are calculated as follows:
A = 450-500 points
B = 400-449 points
C = 350-399 points
F(a) = Below 350 points
Please note that Bowie State University does not use "D" for graduate students. The grade F is used to designate academic failure. F(n) is used to designate failure for non-completion. Grades of Incomplete or Withdrawal are governed by UMUC-Europe policies. For further details, please refer to the UMUC-Europe Graduate Catalog. Hard copies of the catalog are available in your local Education Center. | |
Course Requirements:
Graduate school at the masters level focuses on helping students obtain the education needed for success as professionals in their chosen fields. Thus, UMUC-Europe Graduate Programs and Bowie State University share the common goals of promoting excellence in academic scholarship through thoughtful inquiry and the skillful application of knowledge and theory for the betterment of society. In order to maximize your graduate educational experience in general and this course in particular, you are required to:
Participate in classroom discussions 100 points
Write a graduate term paper 100
Complete a midterm and final examination 200
Complete two projects 100
Total 500
Participate in classroom discussions 10%
Write graduate level papers or case studies 30%
Orally/visually present prepared material 20%
Complete one or more written examination(s) 40% | |
Description of Course Requirements:
Successful graduate students in American universities dedicate approximately three hours of preparation/study time for every hour spent in the face-to-face classroom. Thus, the following course requirements were developed on the assumption that students would be prepared to spend approximately 150 hours of their own time working on them. In an 8-week term, that is the equivalent of a half-time job. Most 14-week graduate distance education courses require at least 10 hours per week of dedicated time, plus time spent in the virtual classroom.
Participation:
A thoughtful and comprehensive response to the assignment posted in the Conference each week is required. The expectation is that you will write several paragraphs that are responsive to the question posed.
Term paper:
The term paper addresses the relationship of a federal agency to the states. For example, the Department of Education enforces the ?No child Left Behind Act?. Is this a funded or unfunded mandate? Why is the Federal government requiring testing of students and setting standards for success or failure of schools when this has been the domain of the states?
UMUC policy says that "Faculty may determine 1f the resubmission of course work from previous classes (whether or not taken at UMUC), partially or in its entirety, is acceptable when assigning a grade on that piece of course work. Faculty must provide this information in their written syllabi."
The grade on the term paper is dependent on the quality of the English and the quality of the analysis. The former is determined by adherence to the rules of basic English including the logic of the organization; the structure of paragraphs, the quality of the introduction and the conclusions. The paper must be properly cited or the paper automatically fails.
The paper should be a minimum of 10 pages and a maximum of 20.
The quality of the analysis involves an evaluation of the issues addressed and the criteria by which the issues are evaluated. Is critical thinking displayed?
The midterm and final exams are essay type and involve the application of theories and principles addressed in the class. The analysis of cases is frequently required.
Two projects are required.
Project One involves the analysis of the Articles of Confederation (AoC), the Constitution of Virginia and the U.S. Constitution. Why are the Articles of Confederation important? What did they contribute to the forming of the nation? Did they succeed or fail to serve their purpose?
What did the Constitution of Virginia contribute to the Articles of Confederation and to the Constitution?
Why has the Constitution been successful?
The project is limited to four double spaced pages. Due 26 November.
Project two involves the analysis of the role of the Supreme Court in defining the relationship between the states and federal government. A minimum of six cases must be analyzed for their impact and of those three must be recent ? within the past 10 years.
The project is limited to six double spaced pages. Due Jan. 7
Participate in classroom discussions: You are expected to come to class prepared to engage in all discussions in a professional and informed manner.
Write graduate level papers or case studies: You are required to conduct professional-level research, including appropriately citing works of others and avoiding plagiarism. Resubmission of course work from previous classes (whether or not taken at UMUC, UMUC-Europe or BSU), partially or in its entirety, is not acceptable in this course and will result in an automatic failure on the assignment. Moreover, all students are strongly encouraged to familiarize themselves with current UMUC-Europe/BSU policies regarding plagiarism, as all class papers are subject to being submitted to turnitin.com for authentication.
Orally/visually present prepared material: You are required to present your research in a professional manner. In a face-to-face course, this typically means an oral presentation accompanied by appropriate visual material. In a DE class, this means creating a visual/textual presentation for your instructor and classmates.
Complete one or more written examination(s): The examination process in this class will assist you in developing the writing and critical thinking skills necessary to successfully passing the comprehensive exam required of all graduate students. The questions used for this course will either be taken directly from past comprehensive exams or written as though to be included on a comprehensive exam. | |
Course Schedule:
Course Schedule: This schedule presents 11 units or modules, with each unit corresponding to a regular three-hour weekday meeting, a half-day on weekends, or a full week of DE.
The course meets from 30 Oct. to 29 January 2007
Initial meeting: Oct. 30-Nov. 5
Introductions
Review of syllabus
Clarification of goals, objectives and requirements
Orientation to subject
Clarification of methods of communications
Second meeting: Nov. 6-12
What is IGR? What is federalism? What is public administration (PA)? Types of governments. Types of federalism. Peterson 1, O'Toole 2
Third meeting: Nov. 13-19
The evolution from confederation to federalism: O'Toole 1, 12,
The Articles of Confederation at: http://www.constitution.org/cons/usa-conf.htm, The U.S. Constitution at: http://www.constitution.org/cons/constitu.txt
The Constitution of Virginia ? 1776: http://www.nhinet.org/ccs/docs/va-1776.htm
Fourth meeting Nov. 20-26
Functional and Legislative Theory and models of federalism:
Focus on the distribution of power and authority among federal, state and local governments.
Peterson 2, O'Toole # 4, 5, & 29
First project due 26 Nov.
Fifth meeting: Nov. 27-Dec. 3
Fiscal aspects of federalism
Peterson 6, O'Toole Part III
Sixth meeting: Dec. 4-10
Preemption, mandates and power
Peterson 3, 7
Seventh meeting: Dec. 11-17
The role of the Supreme Court in the evolution of Federalism. Become familiar with the language of the relevant sections of the Constitution and the logic by which the court arrived at its conclusions.
Gibbons v Ogden (1803), McCulloch v Maryland (1819)
National League of Cities v Usery (1976), Garcia v San Antonio Metro (1985)
United States v Lopez (1995), Reread O?Toole Ch. 1-2
Eight meeting: Dec.18-23
The midterm will be emailed Dec. 18 and will be due not later than Dec. 23.
Term break: Dec. 23-Jan 1.
Meeting: Jan. 2-7
Further exploration of the role of the courts in IGR with attention on civil rights, voting rights, and decisions on affirmative action decisions. Citations will be provided.
The second project is due Jan. 7
Tenth meeting: Jan. 8-16
Policy issues that span jurisdictional boundaries. What are the respective roles of the federal and state governments in education and welfare. Explore funded and unfunded mandates? The No Child Left Behind Act will be explored.
Peterson 4 -5, O'Toole 15, Part IV
Papers are due Jan 16.
Eleventh meeting: Jan. 17-23
Continuation of the examination of policy issues that span jurisdictional boundaries with a focus on health, Medicaid, National Guard and unemployment insurance.
Peterson 8, supplemental reading will be provided
Examination of the future of IGR. Which future will prevail? O?Toole's traditional or the new assertiveness of the states in matters formerly federal but long neglected. Will the financial difficulties of the states curb their new assertiveness?
The final exam will be emailed on Jan. 18 and are due 23 Jan.
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Academic Policies:
The University has a license agreement with Turnitin.com, a service that helps prevent plagiarism from internet resources. I may be using this service in this class by either requiring students to submit their papers electronically to Turnitin.com or by submitting questionable text on behalf of a student. If you or I submit part or all of your paper, it will be stored by Turnitin.com in their database throughout the term of the University's contract with Turnitin.com. If you object to this temporary storage of your paper, you must let me know no later than two weeks after the start of this class. Please Note: If you object to the storage of your paper on Turnitin.com, I may utilize other services to check your work for plagiarism.
The official university policy on Plagiarism and Academic Dishonesty can be found at http://www.umuc.edu/policy/aa15025.shtml. Section I.C. states: Faculty may determine if the resubmission of course work from previous classes (whether or not taken at UMUC), partially or in its entirety, is acceptable when assigning a grade on that piece of course work. Faculty must provide this information in their written syllabi. If the resubmission of course work is deemed to be unacceptable, a charge may not be brought under this Policy and will be handled as indicated in the written syllabi.
Please refer to Description of Course Requirements for specific information on how resubmissions will be treated in this course and to the UMUC-Europe Graduate Catalog for information on the following:
Academic Integrity
Course Load
Exception to Policy
Grade Appeal Process
Make-up Examinations
Nondiscrimination
Students with Disabilities
Hard copies of the catalog are available at your local Education Center. | |
Faculty Bio:
FACULTY BIO
Dr. Twitchell earned his BA in History/Government, and his Masters and DPA in Public Administration. Dr. Twitchell served as a city manger for 11 years and, consequently, wrote and executed numerous federal and state grant proposals. He has testified before several state legislative committees. As a consultant to the National Association of Counties he prepared an assessment of the Impact of State Energy Codes on County Government which was named as one of the 10 best studies of its kind.. He served as the program manager for a federal program the mission of which was to develop the implementation program for a national energy code. Thus, he has more than 20 years experience drafting local, state and national policies and assessing their impact. Additionally, he wrote numerous training manuals for OPM and for the World Food Program in Rome he prepared a training manual in Financial Administration
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