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PS 103A: California Politics. Why Did California Become a Political Island in the 2010 Elections?. Explanation #1: California has always been politically wacky Explanation #2: California has changed Policy Change : early-1990s decline in defense spending
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Why Did California Become a Political Island in the 2010 Elections? • Explanation #1: California has always been politically wacky • Explanation #2: California has changed • Policy Change: early-1990s decline in defense spending • Demographic Changes: white- and blue-collar defense workers moved away from California’s coastal areas, and were replaced by recent immigrants • Political Change: from a North-South to an East-West state, new politics of immigration
California’s Transformation:North/South to East/West 1981-1982 2007-2008 Taken from Frederick Douzet and Ken Miller’s chapter in The New Political Geography of California.
California’s Transformation:North/South to East/West Evangelical Share of California’s Population 1971-2000, by Region Taken from Ariane Zambiras’ chapter in The New Political Geography of California.
Course Introduction • What this course is not about • What this course is about • Course plan and logistics
What This Course is Not About • How to be a good citizen. • Preface. “We believe that increased participation by an informed citizenry in the politics of California is vitally needed…” Power and Politics in California, John H. Culver and John C. Syer, 1980
What This Course is Not About • Ideological Conversion
What This Course is Not About • An Introduction to American Politics • Begins with the Constitution • Under a fixed set of rules, leaders react to an ever more complex society • Consensus on the basic features of our political system and what there is to learn
What This Course Is About • What you need to know in Sacramento • Mixture of political science research and political journalism • A state where the rules constantly change and no consensus tells us what to teach you
Course Plan and Logistics • Part I: Political Institutions in Flux • Part II: The Politics of Diversity • Part III: Perspectives on Policy • Theme A: Cycles in California Politics • Theme B: What Makes CA Different? • Theme C: How Do We Know What We Know?
Course Plan and Logistics • Midterm on February 9: 25% of grade • Paper due on March 6: 30% of grade • Bill analysis or initiative campaign • Final on March 22: 40% of grade • Class attendance and participation: 5% of grade
Course Plan and Logistics • Extensions or makeup exams: • Illness or family emergencies only • Re-grade policy: • In writing, grade can go up or down • Office Hours: • Me, Tuesdays, 2:30-4:30pm, SSB 369 • TA office hours to be announced
Course Plan and Logistics • Short biographies to begin each class: • Could show up as extra credit on the midterm and final • Each lecture is paired with a discussion section: • Be ready to discuss the readings • Discussion questions in that day’s lecture