1Ls/2Ls: Part-Time Summer Research Project for School of Urban Studies (Apply by April 1st)
1Ls or 2Ls with background in political science, American history, urban politics, constitutional law, or legal history are encouraged to apply for this SUMMER PART-TIME RESEARCH PROJECT (deadline April 1st):
Summer Graduate Research Assistance (May 2023-August 2023)
Pay Rate: $15/hour for up to 65 hours of work.
Supervisor: Dr. Davia Downey (School of Urban Affairs and Public Policy, Department of Public Administration)
A summer graduate research assistant is needed to assist in developing a literature review for a book project on litigation patterns between cities and other actors as the powers of local government changed throughout American history. The GA will assist in identifying historical and current research that explores the evolution of intergovernmental relationships in the United States and should have a working knowledge of theories of federalism and urban politics to apply.
Project Overview: This book project, co-authored by Dr. Downey and Dr. William Myers (University of Tampa) will explore cases in the United States where municipalities (cities, towns, and villages) are involved in constitutional and policy conflicts and investigate how these disputes are resolved through the judicial process (i.e., litigation). We use party capability theory (Galanter, 1974) to determine how well local governments perform in litigation against individuals, organizations, and other governments across various legal and policy domains. Using cases from the historical and modern Supreme Court Database, we will trace the development and persistence of local government litigation from the nation’s founding through 1791-2021.
The book will challenge how well the American constitutional system confronted the growth and number of sub-state entities (cities)and evolved in response to the introduction of this new level of government beyond the national government and states. Issues of enumerated powers (to states) and devolution because of federal government expansion complicated the role in which cities, villages, and townships played in the implementation of federal (or state) policies. This book will explore how cities managed these policy responsibilities and defended themselves from federal (state) encroachment.
Student Responsibilities: The GA will begin their work from a prescribed list of resources and will be responsible for writing an annotated bibliography of sources as well as providing to the research team additional sources that can be used. Bi-weekly meetings on literature reviews will be expected.
To Apply: send a resume along with a one-page description of research interests as they align with the book project to Dr. Davia Downey via Symplicity Post 6926 by April 1st. Master’s or doctoral students with a background in political science, American history, urban politics, constitutional law, or legal history are encouraged to apply.
