Blog Assignment Due February 9

Hi, everyone!  This is your first "real" blog assignment, and it's worth up to 20 points on your final grade (note that I'll probably offer a little more than 100 points of blog assignment opportunities).  Your assignment is to answer these questions:  Does Anthony Downs's issue-attention cycle provide a good explanation for the making of policy?  Is it a good explanation for how politics and public opinion work more generally?  Why or why not?

In order to answer these questions, you should consider our class discussions on Downs (as well as any other relevant topics), and you should read these two articles:

http://www.unc.edu/~fbaum/teaching/articles/Downs_Public_Interest_1972.pdf

http://scholarcommons.usf.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1063&context=jss

The first of these is Downs's original article.  The second attempts to apply his theory to explaining public opinion about terrorism.  You should also think a little more about whether Downs succeeds in explaining environmental regulation.

Your comment should be 2-3 short paragraphs.  Better answers will address the two articles, offer links to other work on this question, and perhaps address (politely) the comments of your colleagues.  Feel free to go back and make an additional comment to respond to others.  Assignments are due (and I will close the comments) at 3 pm on Monday, February 9.  If you have questions, please feel free to email me at berchnorto@msn.com   

 

 

Review for Exam #1

POLS 334

BERCH

SPRING 2015

 

Review for exam #1

 

Exam #1 will take place on Monday, February 9.  You will have 75 minutes to complete the exam.  It will consist of short answer questions and short essay questions.  You will have some choice in each section.  In order to be prepared, you should be familiar with the following material that we’ve covered so far this semester:

 

The blog assignment due the day of the exam (3pm).

The ways in which government may influence the economy.

Producer regulation.

Downs’ issue-attention cycle

Huntington’s agency capture theory

The factors (political, economic, and other) that might influence electricity rates

The classic battles over the budget process (executive vs. legislature, and Ulysses and the Sirens)

The major changes that have occurred in the federal budget process in the last 100 years.


You may ask questions during my office hours (1:45-3:15) on Monday, February 9.  You may also email questions to the address on the syllabus (berchnorto@msn.com) until 9 pm on Sunday, February 8.  Or you may submit questions in the comments section of this blog entry until 9 pm on Sunday, February 8.  I will respond to those questions on Sunday night in the same comments section.  Thus, you will be able to read each other's comments and questions (no names necessary).  Good luck!

Update:  I'm in hospital (exam is still on as scheduled).  I'll try to answer blog questions as late as possible on Monday.  If you have a very late question, you can call 412-445-3957 during office hours.  Depending on medical tests, I'll try to talk with you.