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 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 , 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 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