State Politics and American Federalism

Voting rights and election rules, education, health and welfare, and redistricting are just a few domains where U.S. states have broad policymaking authority. This course examines why and how public policy and governing institutions vary across states and considers the implications for citizens. Broad themes include federalism, political institutions, and participation. Topics include federal-state and state-local relations, interstate competition and cooperation, parties and elections, redistricting, and direct democracy. This course also examines public policy in health and welfare, education, budgeting, the environment, and immigration.