POLS 202 American State & Local Government
This course surveys the sources of state, municipal, and county government in the United States. Some emphasis is placed on government in Idaho.
POLS 202American State & Local Government
Please note: This is not a course syllabus. A course syllabus is unique to a particular section of a course by instructor. This curriculum guide provides general information about a course.
I. General Information
Department
Social Science
II. Course Specification
Course Type
Program Requirement
Credit Hours Narrative
3 Credits
Semester Contact Hours Lecture
45
Grading Method
Letter grade
III. Catalog Course Description
This course surveys the sources of state, municipal, and county government in the United States. Some emphasis is placed on government in Idaho.
IV. Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, a student will be able to:
- Demonstrate comprehension of the basic principles, powers, processes, and institutions of state and local government in the US broadly and in Idaho specifically.
- Analyze the roles of the 10th amendment, Dillon’s Rule, local charters, and court rulings in the relationship between national, state, and local government.
- Demonstrate the ability to think, integrate, and logically organize, not just memorize, political information.
- Be able to gather knowledge from other disciplines to interpret political situations and put it to use in class work.
- Demonstrate the ability to apply insights from the study of political science to understand local, state, national and international developments.
V. Topical Outline (Course Content)
Why state and local governments?
Constitutional foundations of state and local government, Federalism
Intergovernmental relations, comparative systems, Dillon’s Rule, local charters
State constitutions and extent of state power
Types of local governments, extent of powers and sources of authority
Political participation at state and local level
Elections, voting, electoral systems, interest groups
Institutions of state and local government
Legislatures
Governors/executive branch
State judiciary systems
Municipal/County/special-purpose local government
Major, current policy areas of state and local government
Financing state and local government
Public Education
Health and Welfare
Crime and Punishment
Environmental Leadership
VI. Delivery Methodologies
Required Assignments
None
Required Exams
Final Exam
Required Text
Smith, Greenblatt "Governing States and Localities; The Essentials" Smith, Neiman "State and Local Government"Putnam "Better Together: Restoring the American Community"
Specific Course Activity Assignment or Assessment Requirements
None Final Exam