PS 103A: California Politics

Prof. Thad Kousser

Why Has California Become a Political Island Since 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

-1971- -1980-

-1990- -2000-

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 November 3: 30% of grade

Paper due on December 3: 25% of grade Bill analysis

Final Exam on December 10: 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: Tuesdays, 11:30-1:30, SSB 369

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

Books I Will Not Assign

Books I Will Not Assign

Books I Will Not Assign

Books I Will Assign

Will and Kat’s Guide to Success:

Pay Attention in Class!

Will and Kat’s Guide to Success: Work in Teams

Will and Kat’s Guide to Success:

Keep Your Work Neat

Will and Kat’s Guide to Success:

Keep up with your reading!

Will and Kat’s Guide to Success:

Go to Daddy’s Office Hours