Urban Politics 107

1
Urban Politics 1/07

• Why this Class is hard.

2
Books

• Morality Politics in American Cities Elaine
  Sharp, Uni. of Kansas Press
• The Sustaining Hand Jones and Bachelor, Uni. of
  Kansas Press
• City Limits Paul Peterson, Uni. Of Chicago
  Press
• The Plain Dealer

3
Policies

• Plagiarism Dont! You might get asked to leave
  school I know Ill ask you to.
• Attend Do, but it is your choice
• Skip work Dont any assignment missing is a
  failing grade for the entire course, late penalty
  -- tbn

4
Assignments

• 2/26 Midterm Essay
• 4/23 Paper 10-15 pages on your favorite local
  policy initiative -- drafts are due 2/12, 3/12,
  4/2
• CPD journal class closest to the 15th of each
  month
• Final In class Essay

5
Class Approach

• Urban Areas are the unit of analysis for many
  peoples lives.
• Cities are geographically challenged for that
  task
• Urban areas are where most of the impact of your
  life comes from and yet they are poorly
  understood.
• Your mission is to understand the limits of
  cities, get an idea of what authority they have,
  how they work, and how you can change them.

6
Your Instructor

• Kevin Snape, Ph.D.
• Harry Potter cracks are expected
• kfsnape_at_yahoo.com
• kesna_at_lubrizol.com
• 440-725-0554 (c)
• B30, office
• Office Hours M530-630, after class

7
Why cities are worth your time

• Over 75 of all Americans live in urban areas
• Almost 80 of all minority residents live in
  urban areas.
• Your house, your safety, your utilities and
  almost all public services you enjoy (or dont)
  are local decisions.
• That is a start

8
Grades

• Midterm 25 2/26
• NYT Notebook 15 monthly
• Paper 25 4/23
• Participation 10 semester
• Final 25