Vel Phillips Papers (Teaching, Box 4)

University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Department of Afro-American Studies

341 Black Politics and City Government Vel Phillips, JD, Adjunct Professor Fall 1983 6:30-9:10 p.m. Balton, 187

Description It is well established that the black citizen in this country today is destined to spend most of his lifetime in an urban environment. It is also well established that although substantial gains have been made in the area of black political participation at all levels of government, recent studies have shown that the rate of growth in the numbers of blacks elected to office has slowed. Further, the hard fact is that blacks comprise a mere 1% of all elected officials in the United States even though they are 12% of the total population. Clearly blacks are still very far from being equitably represented among public officials. It is essential to correct this

gains here been made in the area of black political participation at all levels of government, recent studies have shown that the rate of growth in the numbers of blacks elected to office has slowed. Further, the hard fact is that blacks comprise a mere 1% of all elected officials in the United States even though they are 12% of the total population. Clearly blacks are still very far from being rquitably represented among public officials. It is essential to correct this inequility if black citizens are to be a part of a truly represented system of government. This course is designed to give us some insight and some understanding of black political involvement in an urban community. Because the subject area

is very broad, this course shall attempt to narrow the coverage into four general categories.

Requirements 1. Regular class attendance 2. Participation in class discussion - based on the required texts and other reading material and on the lectures 3. One term paper 30% 4. One Mid-term exam - 30% 5. Final exam - 40%

Office Hours I will be available every Wednesday evening after class and also by appointment.

General Outline

I. Foundation for black political power. September 7 - School Board: Dist vs. at-large September 14 - Municipal: Overview

II. The Black Vote and other Political Resources September 21 - Oct 12th

3 Mid-term Exam October 19

General Outline

I. Foundation for black political power. September 7 - School Board: Dist vs. at-large September 14 - Municipal: Overview

II. The Black Vote and other Political Resources September 21 - Oct 12th

3 Mid-term Exam October 19

4 IV The Black Elected Official October 26 - Background, changes + general overview November 2 - Black Mayors November 9 - The American Presidential Election November 16 - Some of the Effects, Conclusions and findings related to black elected officials.

(over)

5) V. Black Interest Groups November 23 Congressional Black Caucus November 30 Public Authorities and Urban Politics December 7th Other Interest groups and general review December 14 - Final Exam

Reading Materials Reading Materials 1) Lucius J. Barker and Jesse J. McCorry, Jr. Black Americans and the Political System (2nd Edition) 2) Albert K Karnig and Susan Welch Black Representation and Urban Policy 3) Michael B. Preston, Lenneal J. Henderson + Paul Puryear The New Black Politics/ The Search for Political Power 4.) Ernest Patterson Black City Politics 5.) Mary R. Warner, The Dilemma of Black Politics 6) Chuck Stone, Black Power in America (Revised Edition) 7.) Edward E. Clayton, The Negro Politician/His Success + Failure 8.) Larry E. Moss, Black Political Ascendancy in Urban Centers