POLS 275 - State and Local Government

5 Credits

Theory and practice of state and local government in America, with emphasis on state, metropolitan and urban problems and institutions.

Placement Eligibility English 101
Fees

Quarters Typically Offered

Designed to Serve Students with an interest in state and local government; political science, paralegal and criminal justice 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:
AA

Social Science Area I

Course Outline

Introduction to state & local politics
The place of the states in the federal system
State parties and interest groups
State constitutions
State Legislatures
Governors & State administrative systems
State courts
Community political systems; forms and institutions, conflict & participation, and styles
Metropolitan areas; cities and suburbs
Law enforcement
Education
Transportation
Welfare, health and housing
State and local finance

Student Learning Outcomes
Be able to recognize and describe the organization, function and responsibilities of the various parts of state and local governments.

Be able to assess and describe the importance of voting in a democratic society

Be able to describe how the electoral system works at the state and local level.

Be able to assess and describe the potential impact of policy choices in state and local government.

Be able to assess and describe the role of the individual in state and local government.