Catalog Description

Hours: 54 lecture
Description: An examination of state and local governments and their relations to the federal government. Topics include interest groups, elections and policy issues. (CSU, UC)

Course Student Learning Outcomes

  • CSLO #1: Outline the policy making process at the state and local levels, analyzing relations amongst the three branches of government, social institutions and citizen participation.
  • CSLO #2: Assess state and local government in terms of compliance with democratic principles and theories of politics.
  • CSLO #3: Explain the roles of different ideas held by the public and policymakers in shaping public policies.

Effective Term

Fall 2024

Course Type

Credit - Degree-applicable

Contact Hours

54

Outside of Class Hours

108

Total Student Learning Hours

162

Course Objectives

At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:
1. Apply scientific theories to analyze politics at the state and local levels;
2. Differentiate the composition and roles of the three branches of the state government;
3. Apply different models of local government to specific cases;
4. Contrast federalism to unitary governmental relations at the local level;
5. Evaluate the impact of diversity on politics and policy;
6. Assess representative and direct democracy as practiced in the state;
7. Outline civil liberties and civil rights in the state;
8. explain how to participate effectively at the state and local levels;
9. Differentiate the U.S. Constitution, California's constitution and local charters;
10. Demonstrate the connections between policy, ideologies and public opinion;
11. Correlate budgeting with other policy issues at the state and local levels.

General Education Information

  • Approved College Associate Degree GE Applicability
    • AA/AS - Social Sciences
  • CSU GE Applicability (Recommended-requires CSU approval)
    • CSU - US3 Hist/Const/Amer Idea
    • CSUGE - D Social Sciences
    • CSUGE - D8 Pol Sci/Govt/Lgl In
  • Cal-GETC Applicability (Recommended - Requires External Approval)
    • IGETC Applicability (Recommended-requires CSU/UC approval)
      • IGETC - 4 Soc./Behav Sciences

    Articulation Information

    • CSU Transferable
    • UC Transferable

    Methods of Evaluation

    • Classroom Discussions
      • Example: Posts to the discussion board will be assessed periodically based on command of the material and civility.
    • Essay Examinations
      • Example: Students will submit through turnitin essays that will be graded with a rubric that will be provided to students.
    • Objective Examinations
      • Example: Students will be given weekly multiple choice exams and will be provided with the key after the deadline for completion with feedback.

    Repeatable

    No

    Methods of Instruction

    • Lecture/Discussion
    • Distance Learning

    Lecture:

    1. Instructor provides lecture notes and PowerPoint to accompany required textbook reading on the plural executive.

    Distance Learning

    1. Students are to post to instructor's prompts on the discussion board, assessing the plural executive model's merits. Instructor will monitor discussions and interject when needed to support learning.

    Typical Out of Class Assignments

    Reading Assignments

    1. Read chapter in the textbook on the plural executive, looking for strengths and weaknesses. 2. Read an editorial and an op-ed on a given proposition and prepare to discuss.

    Writing, Problem Solving or Performance

    1. Post a paragraph response to the instructor's prompt on the discussion board. 2. Write a report on a selected local government.

    Other (Term projects, research papers, portfolios, etc.)

    Required Materials

    • California: Politics of Diversity
      • Author: David Lawrence
      • Publisher: Cengage
      • Publication Date: 2019
      • Text Edition: 10th
      • Classic Textbook?:
      • OER Link:
      • OER:
    • California Government and Politics Today
      • Author: Mona Field
      • Publisher: Pearson
      • Publication Date: 2017
      • Text Edition: 15th
      • Classic Textbook?:
      • OER Link:
      • OER:
    • California Politics and Government
      • Author: Larry N. Gerston and Terry Christensen
      • Publisher: Cengage
      • Publication Date: 2021
      • Text Edition: 15th
      • Classic Textbook?:
      • OER Link:
      • OER:
    • Governing in California
      • Author: Anagnoson
      • Publisher: Norton
      • Publication Date: 2021
      • Text Edition: 8th
      • Classic Textbook?:
      • OER Link:
      • OER:
    • California Politics
      • Author: Renee Van Vechten
      • Publisher: CQ Press
      • Publication Date: 2021
      • Text Edition: 6th
      • Classic Textbook?:
      • OER Link:
      • OER:

    Other materials and-or supplies required of students that contribute to the cost of the course.