Camelot : A Role-Playing Simulation for Political Decision Making

by Woodworth, James; Gump, W. Robert; Forrester, James R.

• ISBN13: 9780534602796
• ISBN10: 0534602797
• Edition: 5th
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2005-07-19
• Publisher: Cengage Learning

Summary

CAMELOT: A ROLE PLAYING SIMULATION introduces you to the interactions of contending and contentious groups and individuals whose values and goals range from radical to reactionary. It addresses such issues as equal opportunity, right to life, freedom of expression, affirmative action, property rights, gay rights, and more. You will quickly learn that competing interests and viewpoints - with their varying degrees of organization and cohesiveness - make political decision-making complex, time consuming, exciting, and often difficult to predict.

Table of Contents

I UNDERSTANDING POLITICAL DECISION MAKING	1	(84)
Introduction	1	(4)
Local Government: Why Study It?	5	(7)
Governments and Communities	5	(1)
Two Meanings of Community	5	(4)
The Organized Local Community	9	(3)
Who Governs, and to What Ends?	12	(73)
Politics, Government, and Democracy	12	(4)
Power or Resources?	14	(1)
What Is the Degree of Structuring in Community Decision Making?	15	(1)
Evolution of Community Power Patterns	16	(3)
Who Governs in Cities Today?	19	(2)
What Can We Conclude?	21	(64)
II SIMULATING POLITICAL DECISION MAKING	85	(114)
Welcome to Camelot	85	(2)
Introduction to Simulation	87	(4)
Why a Simulation?	87	(2)
What to Look For	89	(1)
Other Things to Keep in Mind	90	(1)
Starting the Simulation	91	(9)
How to Use the Materials	91	(1)
How to Begin	92	(4)
The Camelot Daily News	92	(1)
Simulation Time and Real Time	93	(1)
The Order of Business in a Sample City Council Meeting	94	(1)
Council Meeting: First Session of Simulation, Agenda	94	(1)
Planning Commission Meeting: First Session of Simulation, Agenda	95	(1)
Council Meeting: Second Session of Simulation, Agenda	95	(1)
Planning Commission Meeting: Second Session of Simulation, Agenda	95	(1)
How to Run a Meeting	96	(4)
Rules of Parliamentary Procedure	96	(1)
How to Put a Motion on the Floor	97	(1)
How to Get to the Vote on Any Debatable Motion	97	(3)
Issues	100	(55)
Introduction	100	(1)
Resolution of Sympathy	101	(1)
The Fairness in Housing and Employment Issue	102	(1)
The Officer Protection Program Issue	102	(3)
Background Information	103	(2)
The Beauty Salon Zone Variance Issue	105	(1)
The Downtown Hotel Plaza Issue	106	(4)
The Budget Issue	110	(10)
The Massage Therapy Facility Issue	120	(1)
The Smoking Ban Issue	120	(1)
The ``Obscene Photographs'' Issue	121	(2)
The Strip Mall Development Issue	123	(4)
The Home for Unmarried Pregnant Teenagers Issue	127	(1)
The Topless Bar and Grill Issue	128	(3)
The Fire Hose Issue	131	(1)
The Noise Ordinance Issue	132	(4)
The Eminent Domain Issue	136	(2)
The Drug Testing Issue	138	(1)
The USA Patriot Act Issue	139	(3)
Setting	140	(2)
The Wildflowers Issue	142	(1)
The Private Use of Public Space Issue	143	(3)
Background	144	(1)
The Simulation	144	(1)
The Issues	145	(1)
The Couches in the Yards and on the Porches Issue	146	(2)
The Curfew Issue	148	(1)
The Rights of a Home Owner Issue: Home Decorations	149	(3)
Zoning Appeals Board Issues	152	(3)
Issue 1: The Carport Variance Request	152	(1)
Issue 2: The Art Sale from the R-2 Zone Home Variance Request	152	(1)
Issue 3: ``The Sideyard or Backyard?''	153	(2)
Reference Materials	155	(16)
Camelot: Basic Data	155	(1)
Population	155	(1)
Economics in Camelot	156	(1)
Camelot: Area Descriptions	156	(4)
Camelot Heights	156	(1)
The Central Business District (CBD)	157	(1)
College Town	157	(1)
Crown Knolls	157	(1)
Forest Acres	158	(1)
Madisonville	158	(1)
North Madisonville	158	(1)
River Town	159	(1)
University Park	159	(1)
Camelot Acres	159	(1)
South Ridge	159	(1)
The Charter	160	(6)
Zoning Regulations and Land Use	166	(3)
The ``Sunshine Law''	169	(2)
Elections	171	(3)
Election Procedures---City of Camelot	171	(3)
City of Camelot Sample Nominating Petition	172	(2)
Role Descriptions, Settings, and Lists of Duties	174	(25)
How to Use the Role Descriptions	174	(1)
Camelot City Government and Lists of Duties of Some of Its Officers	174	(25)
The Mayor	175	(1)
The Council, City Manager, and Assistant Manager	175	(5)
The Planning Commission	180	(3)
The Newspaper Roles	183	(1)
Involved Citizens	184	(11)
Role Request	195	(1)
City of Camelot Nominating Petition	196	(1)
Your Evaluation of Camelot	197	(1)
City of Camelot Initiative Petition	198	(1)
Topical Bibliographies	199	(4)
Index	203	(13)
Quick Reference Page	216