PS 200 - State and Local Politics

Description
This course will examine the institutions and politics of state and local government in the United States, as well as relevant issues and policies. This will include executive, legislative, and judicial functions of government, questions of state sovereignty, and party dynamics. Issues of consideration may include education, voting, crime, poverty, civil rights, budgeting, and others. Students will be expected to exercise college level writing and critical thinking.

Credit Hours: 3
Contact Hours: 3
Prerequisites/Other Requirements: None
English Prerequisite(s): None
Math Prerequisite(s): None
Course Corequisite(s): None
Academic Program Prerequisite: None
Consent to Enroll in Course: No Department Consent Required
Dual Enrollment Allowed?: Yes
Number of Times Course can be taken for credit: 1
Programs Where This Course is a Requirement:
None

General Education Requirement:
Social Sciences
General Education Learner Outcomes (GELO):
1. Civic Engagement: Apply knowledge of social, political, or environmental conditions to demonstrate understanding of community responsibility, 3. Critical Thinking: Gather and synthesize relevant information, evaluate alternative perspectives, or understand inquiry as a means of creating knowledge
Course Learning Outcomes:

Explain the operation of governmental institutions, namely the legislative, executive, and judicial functions of government.
Identify issues raised by the conflict over state and national sovereignty.
Describe the different types and roles of local government.
Identify the major political issues addressing state and local government.
Explain the relationship between constitutional, statutory, and common law.
Create a summary of ideas extracted from journalistic sources. (GELO 3)
Comprehend how changing social conditions affect the behavior of voters, parties, and the institutions of government. (GELO 1)

Course Outline:
I. Federalism

II. Constitutions

III. Budget and Financing

A. Government Spending

B. Taxes

1. Income

2. Sales

3. Property

C. Government Bonds

IV. Local Government

A. Mayor-Council form

B. Council-Manager form

V. State Government

A. Legislatures - law making process

B. Governor - other statewide executive offices

C. Judiciary - trial courts and courts of appeal

VI. Political issues

A. Education

B. Crime

C. Health and Welfare

D. Civil Rights

Approved for Online and Hybrid Delivery?:
No
Instructional Strategies:
Lecture: 50-70%

Facilitated discussion: 30-50%

Other pedagogical delivery methods: 0-40%
Mandatory Course Components:
None
Equivalent Courses:
None

Accepted GRCC Advanced Placement (AP) Exam Credit: None
AP Min. Score: NA
Name of Industry Recognize Credentials: None

Course prepares students to seek the following external certification:
No
Course-Specific Placement Test: None
Course Aligned with ARW/IRW Pairing: IRW 99

Mandatory Department Assessment Measures:
None

Course Type:
General Education- Offering designed to meet the specific criteria for a GRCC Distribution Requirement. The course should be designated by the requirement it fulfills.
Course Format:
Lecture - 1:1
Total Lecture Hours Per Week: 3
People Soft Course ID Number: 101182
Course CIP Code: 45.10
Maximum Course Enrollment: 36
General Room Request: None

High School Articulation Agreements exist?: No
If yes, with which high schools?: None
Non-Credit GRCC Articulation Agreement With What Area: No
Identify the Non Credit Programs this Course is Accepted: NA

School: School of Liberal Arts
Department: Social Sciences
Discipline: PS
Faculty Credential Requirements:
18 graduate credit hours in discipline being taught (HLC Requirement), Master’s Degree (GRCC general requirement), Professionally qualified through work experience in field (Perkins Act or Other) (list below)
Faculty Credential Requirement Details:
An understanding of state and local government through a combination of college course work or work experience in government.

Major Course Revisions: General Education Review
Last Revision Date Effective: 20220216T13:33:48
Course Review & Revision Year: 2026-2027