POLS 115 - Power Civics

5 Credits

This course teaches students to engage with local governments to achieve real change. The course revolves around researching, developing and presenting solutions to local government to address problems in the community. Students will learn about how state and local government work and what they can and can’t do, as well as how to find and offer solutions to issues in the community.

Placement Eligibility English 101
Fees

Quarters Typically Offered
Fall Day
Winter Day
Spring Day

Designed to Serve Transfer students; social science majors; students seeking to fulfill high school equivalencies.
Active Date 20230320T11:41:25

Grading Basis Decimal Grade
Class Limit 37
Contact Hours: Lecture 55
Total Contact Hours 55
Degree Distributions:
AA

Social Science Area I

Course Outline
1. Understanding state and local government in context; finding relevant issues.

2. Federalism; constitutions.

3. Exploring local governments in detail.

4. Elections and voting; initiatives and referenda.

5. Interest groups and parties.

6. The state Legislature.

7. State executives.

8. The court system.

9. Budgets and taxes; state agencies.

10. Economic development; solutions presentations.

Student Learning Outcomes
Students will demonstrate an understanding of the purpose and operation of state and local governments.

Students will demonstrate an ability to identify and analyze community issues, comparing and contrasting possible solutions. They will evaluate and critique current and possible approaches to problems.

Students will be able to create and present workable solutions to community problems to the appropriate decision-makers in government.

Students will be able to explain the importance of civic engagement, including voting and working directly with community leaders and officials.

Students will be able to differentiate between different parts and levels of government so as to understand who deals with which issues.