GENERAL GUIDELINES. Papers should be 1000 words each. Excessive length will be penalized. Make every word count. Think about the main points you want to make and how they fit together as part of a coherent story or argument. Demonstrate your mastery of relevant course material. Write your own paper. Give it a title. Begin your paper with a brief statement that lets the reader know what the main point of your paper is. Write to communicate to your reader, not to impress with fancy language. Include brief citations to material you use as a reference. Proofread carefully.
Paper 1 (Due in class at 2:40 PM, Monday, Sept. 22). A central focus of the study of urban politics is power. Discuss the interplay of public (governmental) and private (business sector) power in U.S. cities. Consider such things as: how power has been conceptualized and studied in urban politics, the sources and limits of public and private power, and the evolution of formal structures of municipal government as a means of wielding power and holding it accountable.
Paper 2 (Due in class at 2:40 PM, Monday, Oct. 6). In the United States., local government has substantial responsibility for public education and public safety. First, provide a brief assessment of the performance of local government in each of those two areas. Second, offer a recommendation for improving performance in each area and a rationale for the recommendation. Finally, discuss briefly how the actions (or inactions) of local government regarding public education and safety contributed to the urban crisis in Detroit.
Paper 3 (Due in class at 2:40 PM, Wednesday, Oct. 22). A variety of factors affect the degree of power that residents can exert to advance their interests locally. Those factors include (1) the resources that residents possess, control, or create and (2) the institutional frameworks (social, economic, and political) within which local politics takes place. Drawing upon the readings and class discussions of Section 3 of our course, discuss some of these factors, emphasizing approaches or strategies that can enhance the political power of residents--particularly residents who are typically marginalized in political decision-making processes.
Paper 4 (Due in class at 2:40 PM, Monday, Nov. 10). Approaches to addressing urban poverty may be grouped into two broad categories. One set of policies focuses upon improving the circumstances of individuals--such as through job training or income support. Another set of policies emphasizes place-based economic development--such as offering tax breaks to businesses that locate in a particular city. Drawing upon the readings and class discussions of Section 4 of our course, discuss critically some of the challenges that each of these approaches must confront. Conclude by recommending an individual-oriented strategy and a place-based strategy for Detroit, including a brief rationale for each strategy.