POLS 360 - Politics of Youth Development

5 Credits

Exploration of U.S. government and economic systems with reference to youth development programs. National, state and local governments, with particular emphasis on public sector efforts to provide youth development programs.

Program Admission Required Yes Admitted Program BAS - H SER
Fees

Quarters Typically Offered

Designed to Serve Youth development, social service and political science majors.
Grading Basis Decimal Grade
Class Limit 38
Contact Hours: Lecture 55 Lab 0 Field Studies 0 Clinical 0 Independent Studies 0
Total Contact Hours 55
Degree Distributions:
Restricted Elective Yes
Course Outline
1. Introduction to U.S. government, including political and economic management.

2. Introduction to state government, including provision of education and social services.

3. Introduction to local government, including community-based services aimed at youth and families.

4. Exploration of specific youth development programs, including local programs and those found in other communities.

5. Youth development as provided by non-governmental organizations.

6. Assessment of the effectiveness of various approaches to youth development.

Students will be responsible for a paper and a presentation on a specific youth development initiative. Students will also be responsible for a simulated budget presentation in support of a youth development initiative. Class will feature visits from relevant government and organization officials, as well as budget exercise simulations so students will get a stronger grasp of how programs get funded and don’t.

Student Learning Outcomes