POLI120 American State and Local Government

Department of Social & Behavioral Science: Political Science

1. Course Number and Title

   POLI120 American State and Local Government

2. Number of Credits

   3 credits

3. Minimum Number of Instructional Minutes Per Semester

   2250 minutes

4. Prerequisites

   None

   Corequisites

   None

5. Other Pertinent Information

   None

6. Catalog Course Description

   The problems, structure and major functions of government at the state and local levels. Emphasis is on the political processes in the suburban, urban, and state political systems.

7. Required Course Content and Direction

   1. Learning Goals:

      1. Cognitive: to understand the causal factors and consequences of political decision-making.
      2. Affective: to develop a critical and constructive view of American political systems at the state and local levels.
      3. Skills: to analyze problems, to think clearly, to communicate effectively.

   2. Planned Sequence of Topics and/or Learning Activities:

      1. Research the political science way
      2. Politics in States and Communities: An overview
      3. States, communities, and American feudalism
      4. Participation in State politics
      5. Legislators in State Politics
      6. Governors in State Politics
      7. Courts, Crime, and Correctional Policy
      8. Community Political Systems
      9. Participation in community politics
      10. Metropolitics: Conflict in the Metropolis
      11. Community Power Structures
      12. Politics and Civil Rights
      13. The Politics of Education
      14. The Politics of Poverty, Welfare and Health
      15. The Politics of Budgeting and Taxation

   3. Assessment Methods for Core Learning Goals:

   4. Reference, Resource, or Learning Materials to be used by Students:

      Thomas Dye, The Politics of States and Communities (Upper Saddle River, NJ: Latest Edition)

8. Teaching Methods Employed

   Lecture, discussion, guest speakers, field research

Review/Approval Date - 10/98