This course examines the politics and policy making of state governments
within the structure of U.S. federalism.  We will consider the consequences
of decentralization of power and decision making and how and why this varies
among the states from one policy area to another.  We will also look at
differences in the political cultures of the states and how these yield
quite different patterns of political behavior and policy.
	The reading load will average 100 to 150 pages a week.  Classes will
be a mixture of lecture and discussion.  There will be three examinations
and two papers.  The exams will be a mixture of ssay and short answer.  Two
of the papers. The form of these has yet to be determined, but they will
focus on some aspects of state and local politics and require some research,
careful analysis and probably about 20 pages of writing.
	At the end of the course students should have achieved several
things: (1) better understanding of politics in the states and how this
varies from one place to another; (2) a knowledge of the research materials
available for investigations of state politics; (3) a sense of the
possibilities for reform in the state-national policy connection; and (4)
the ability to articulate the pros and cons of alternative policy making
arrangements in our federal system.