State and Local Political Processes

Course Description

This course is designed to introduce students to state and local government structures and processes. Government and business relationships are particularly emphasized. Opportunities are provided for students to observe and interact with state and local government officials and groups and to debate public policy issues in a local or state government meeting setting.

Topics and Objectives

Relationship of State, Local, and Federal Government

  • Analyze the relationship of state and local governments to the American federal system.
  • Evaluate constitutional and other legal constraints related to public policy at the state and local level.
  • Explain how cultural attitudes affect contemporary issues in a particular state or region.

State and Local Political Behavior

  • Explain the importance of voter participation and patterns in state and local government elections.
  • Examine the mechanisms through which interest groups influence state and local government.
  • Examine the ways that citizens attempt to communicate with local government bodies through public meetings and suggest methods to improve these processes.

State and Local Political Institutions

  • Identify the formal and informal powers and processes of the legislative and executive branches of state government.
  • Identify the structural arrangements of metropolitan government.

Economic Challenges for State and Local Government

  • Examine the ways in which financial issues affect state and local government political processes.
  • Compare and contrast the growth of local and state revenues and expenditures with those of the federal government.
  • Explore the types of, and reasons for, partnerships that exist between business and state and local government.

Public Policy

  • Analyze social, political, and economic public policy issues that affect the performance of local government officials and employees.
  • Demonstrate awareness of the resources and constraints associated with public policy issues for state and local government officials and employees.
  • Describe public policy challenges and service demands facing urban governments.
  • Critique a significant public policy matter facing a state or local government body.

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