Political Science 4663
Administrative Law


Spring semester, 2008, 5:30-8:10 W, SH 207 (ZAP 0892)
Instructor, Dr. Mike Sharp
Office:  SH 308; Ph. (918) 456-5511, x3530; E-Mail, sharp@nsuok.edu
Hours,  8:00-9:00 M,11:00-12:30 and 2:00-5:30 T, 4:00-5:00 W, 11:00-12:00 Th, and by arrangement.


REQUIRED TEXT:
Administrative Law in the American Political System, Fourth Edition, by Kenneth F. Warren.


COURSE FORMAT:
Administrative law is the study of the legal relationship of government agencies to the legislatures, the courts, and private parties.  Because this course is designed more for political science students rather than law students, it will probe into the legislative, legal, and political aspects of "regulating" in the public interest.


GRADING:
Grades will be determined from three exams as well as from assigned works (e.g. legal briefs, etc.)  Two of the exams will be given during the course of the semester and the final will be given on Wednesday, May 7 at 5:30.  All exams will be weighted equally.  Provision is made for make-up exams which must be taken as soon as possible after the exam missed.  Each student will also be responsible for reviewing two (2) articles from the Administrative Law Review.  These reviews should be a minimum of approximately four (4) pages which would include two (2) pages of summary/review and two (2) pages of critique.   The written review will be submitted for grading and a short oral presentation of the review will be made to the class.  The first article review is due by Feburary 27 and the second review is due by April 23.  We will be reviewing several court cases and administrative concepts throughout the course.  While all students are responsible for covering all the material, these cases and concepts will be assigned on an individual basis for review and presentation to the class.  Elaboration on exam format will be provided during the first period of class.  There is no formal research paper requirement for the course beyond the article reviews, however, students are expected to be prepared with case briefs and readings as assigned.

SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS:
If any member of the class feels that he/she has a disability and needs special accommodations please advise the instructor of such disability at the first class attended.  If any student encounters particular difficulty with any aspect of the material we are covering, he/she is encouraged to seek individual assistance from the instructor at the designated office hours listed above or by special appointment as arranged.
 

 

Reading Assignments

   Chapter 1   Administrative Law:  An Introduction
                2   The Growth of Administrative Power and its Impact on the American System
                3   Legislative Attempts to Achieve Democratic Accountability in the Administrative
                     Process
                4   Protecting Administrators From Undue Interference and  Harassment                        
                         First Exam
              
                5   Rulemaking:  Agencies as Legislative Bodies
                6   The Public Policy-Making Tug-of-War between Rulemaking and Ordermaking
                7   Agency Hearings: How Fair Are They
                8   Administering Public Policy: Discretionary Agency Behavior
                        Second Exam

              
                9   Judicial Review of Agency Behavior
              10   Suing the Government and Its Administrators
              11   An Administrative Law Challenge: Balancing Societal and  Individual Rights 
                        Final Exam