POLI120 American State and Local Government
Department of Social & Behavioral Science: Political Science
- I. Course Number and Title
- POLI120 American State and Local Government
- II. Number of Credits
- 3 credits
- III. Number of Instructional Minutes
- 2250
- IV. Prerequisites
- None
- Corequisites
- None
- V. Other Pertinent Information
- None
- VI. Catalog Course Description
- Students examine the problems, structure, and major functions of government at the state and local levels. Topics include political processes in the suburban, urban, and state political systems.
- VII. Required Course Content and Direction
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Course Learning Goals
Students will:- Analyze the politics, power structures, and methods of state governance;
- Analyze the politics, power structures, and methods of local governance;
- Analyze the role of the courts and correctional system in state and local governance and politics;
- Analyze the politics of civil rights, education, social welfare, health, budgeting, and taxation; and
- Describe the causal factors and consequences of political decision-making.
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Planned Sequence of Topics and/or Learning Activities
- Research the Political Science Way
- Politics in States and Communities: An Overview
- States, Communities, and American Feudalism
- Participation in State Politics
- Legislators in State Politics
- Governors in State Politics
- Courts, Crime, and Correctional Policy
- Community Political Systems
- Participation in Community Politics
- Metropolitics: Conflict in the Metropolis
- Community Power Structures
- Politics and Civil Rights
- The Politics of Education
- The Politics of Poverty, Welfare, and Health
- The Politics of Budgeting and Taxation
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Assessment Methods for Course Learning Goals
Course learning goals are assessed with exams, essays, written assignments, multi-media projects, and/or participation in classroom/online discussions. -
Reference, Resource, or Learning Materials to be used by Student:
See course syllabus.
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Review/Approval Date - 10/98; New Core 8/2015; Revised 4/2019