ADVOCACY AND THE AMERICAN POLITICAL PROCESS

PUAF 359C

FALL 2006

Gerard E. Evans

410.703.6262

Gevans1@umd.edu

Monday: 2-4:30 PM

Office Hours By Appointment

Introduction

This course will introduce students to the law and the legislative process with a special focus on the Maryland General Assembly. While examining components of the legislative process, we will identify specific legislative initiatives worthy of our interest and advocacy. Such work may take the form of studying the behavior of legislators and interest groups, developing strategies for conducting advocacy campaigns and analyzing the role of the media on public policy. The coursework will also include a cursory review of the legal system, including the foundational constitutional principles that inform the tenets of our legal as well as public policy system.

Course Requirements

Attendance is mandatory. If you encounter an emergency and you intend to miss class, contact the instructor prior to the start of class. If you miss class, whether excused or not, you are responsible for the work covered during your absence. Unexcused absences will result in a lowering of your grade.

Advocacy Project

Each member of the class will be required to participate in an advocacy project. The project may involve an actual or created issue. The project will include an oral as well as a written component. The oral component will include testimony before a legislative committee in Annapolis, Maryland.

GRADE COMPONENTS

Class Participation…………...….......15%

Mid-Term Exam…………………….50%

Advocacy Project…………………...35%

COURSE SCHEDULE

The schedule of topics and materials are subject to change depending on the amount of work covered from week to week. Each section has unique challenges and objectives. Some we will move quickly through while others may take more time and attention.

The Mid-Term Exam will cover all material covered up to November 6, 2006.

Section I

9/11…………………………………….………….………………………Introduction

9/18…………………..………The Rule of Law / The Tripartite System of Government

9/25…………………………….The Legislative Process / How a Bill Becomes a Law

10/2………………………………………..………………………..Constitutional Law

Section II

10/9……………………………………………………...Advocacy in the Political System

10/16……………………………...Influence or Information: Who’s Buying? Who’s Selling?

10/23……………………………………………………………..The Role of Political Parties

10/30……………………………………………………………..Governor/ Speaker/ Review

11/6……………………………………………………………………..MID-TERM EXAM

Section III

11/13…………………………………………………………………….The Friction of Factions

11/20……………………………………………...The Media and the Message/ Guest Speaker

11/27…………………………………………………………Building Coalitions for the Cause

12/4…………………………………………………..President of the Senate / Guest Speaker

12/11…………………………………………………………FINAL PRESENTATION

ANNAPOLIS, MARYLAND

IF YOU HAVE A DOCUMENTED DISABILITY AND REQUIRE SPECIAL ACCOMMODATIONS, PLEASE SEE THE INSTRUCTOR AS SOON AS POSSIBLE

ALL STUDENTS ARE EXPECTED TO ADHERE TO THE CODE OF ACADEMIC INTEGRITY. ALL VIOLATION OF THE CODE WILL BE REFERRED TO THE STUDENT HONOR COUNCIL.