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

Catalog Description Hours: 18 lecture Description: Introduction to politics and government in California. A survey of state and local institutions and processes. Fulfills California state and local government requirement for students who have taken the equivalent of POLS 0001 outside of California. Not open to students who have completed POLS 0005. (CSU, UC) Course Student Learning Outcomes CSLO #1: Place California state and local government into the context of relations with the federal government. CSLO #2: Outline the composition and interaction of the three branches of California’s government at the state level. CSLO #3: Outline the functions and composition of local government in California, identifying contrasts with the state government. CSLO #4: Explain the roles of ideas and social groups in political processes in the state. Effective Term Fall 2024 Course Type Credit - Degree-applicable Contact Hours 18 Outside of Class Hours 36 Total Student Learning Hours 54 Course Objectives 1. Discuss the evolution of the California constitution. 2. Identify and evaluate institutions and political processes at the state and local levels, referring to national institutions where appropriate. 3. Analyze contemporary political issues and policies in the state. 4. Outline civil liberties and civil rights in the state. 5. Analyze the influence of social diversity and ideologies in shaping public opinion and policy in the state. 6. Explain how to participate effectively in politics at the state and local levels. 7. Describe the relationship between state, local, and federal governments, with emphasis on California governments and the political process involved. General Education Information Approved College Associate Degree GE Applicability CSU GE Applicability (Recommended-requires CSU approval) CSU - US3 Hist/Const/Amer Idea Cal-GETC Applicability (Recommended - Requires External Approval) IGETC Applicability (Recommended-requires CSU/UC approval) Articulation Information CSU Transferable UC Transferable Methods of Evaluation Classroom Discussions Example: Students are required to post one response to instructor's questions on the discussion board and one response to a fellow student's response per week. Example: Should the initiative process in California be reformed? Grading based on rubric. Essay Examinations Example: Write an essay comparing local government institutions to the state's three branches of government. Graded based on Rubric. Objective Examinations Example: Answer 10 multiple choice questions on civil liberties and civil rights. Example: The populists who wrote the constitution discriminated against: a) Chinese immigrants; b) Spanish speakers; c) the rich; or, d) all of the above Repeatable No Methods of Instruction Lecture/Discussion Distance Learning Lecture: Instructor provides lecture notes paired with powerpoint on the plural executive while students take notes and ask and answer questions. Distance Learning Instructor posts discussion questions on the website on participation in local governmental institutions and provides feedback on student posts. Typical Out of Class Assignments Reading Assignments 1. Read the assigned chapter in the textbook on the constitution and federalism and prepare to discuss in class. 2. Read an op-ed on direct democracy in the state and consider counter arguments. Writing, Problem Solving or Performance 1. Write an essay identifying three problems with politics in the state and proposals to solve them. 2. Respond to instructor prompts on the discussion board. Other (Term projects, research papers, portfolios, etc.) Required Materials Governing California Author: Anagnoson Publisher: Norton Publication Date: 2021 Text Edition: 8th Classic Textbook?: OER Link: OER: California: Politcs of Diversity Author: Cummins & David Lawrence Publisher: Cengage Publication Date: 2019 Text Edition: 10th Classic Textbook?: OER Link: OER: California Politics Author: Van Vechten Publisher: Sage Publication Date: 2021 Text Edition: 6th Classic Textbook?: OER Link: OER: California Politics and Government: A Practical Approach Author: Gerston & Christensen Publisher: Cengage Publication Date: 2017 Text Edition: 14th Classic Textbook?: OER Link: OER: Guide to California Government Author: The League of Women Voters of California Publisher: The League of Women Voters of California Publication Date: 2015 Text Edition: 6th Classic Textbook?: OER Link: OER: Other materials and-or supplies required of students that contribute to the cost of the course.