Description:

This course examines the executive, legislative, judicial and service functions of state and local government in the United States in general and in Kansas in particular. The course includes guest lectures by elected officials, government personnel and community activists. 3 hrs./wk. This course is typically offered only once each academic year.

Supplies: Refer to the instructor's course syllabus for details about any supplies that may be required.

Prerequisites: NONE

Textbook(s): For information see - http://bookstore.jccc.net

Course Fees: NONE

Course Objectives:

Upon successful completion of this course the student should be able to:

1. Describe the environment within which local and state politics operate.
2. Identify the powers given to the states under the U.S. Constitution.
3. Explain the functions, power bases, and means of dispersing power at the state and local levels.
4. Compare and contrast the different types of local governments, including that within your community.
5. Discuss sources of state and local funding and the factors affecting taxing and spending decisions.
6. Describe the major problems facing state and local governments and evaluate the policies addressing these problems.

Content Outline & Competencies:

I. The Constitutional Environment of State and Local Governments
   A. Discuss the problems with most state constitutions.
   B. Describe measures to reform state constitutions and the politics of
constitutional reform.

II. The Intergovernmental Framework for State and Community Politics
   A. Explain the division of powers between the national and state
governments.
   B. Describe the constitutional evolution from dual federalism through
cooperative federalism to creative or New Federalism.

III. Financial Constraints on State and Local Government
   A. Identify the major purposes for which the state and local
governments spend your money.
   B. Describe the methods used by state and local governments to raise
their revenue.

IV. Channels of Citizen Influence: Participation, Public Opinion, and
Interest Groups
   A. Describe the major patterns of political participation and the
attempts to increase participation of the poor and the racial minorities.
   B. Assess the influence of public opinion on government and public
policy.

V. Channels of Citizen Influence: The Ballot Box, Parties, and Direct
Action
   A. Assess the effectiveness of elections as instruments of
accountability and as channels of citizen influence.
   B. Describe the organization and role of political parties in state and
local government.

VI. The Institutions of Local Government
   A. Compare and contrast the different types of local governments and
the functions they perform.
   B. Discuss machine-style politics and the reforms that emerged as a
reaction.

VII. The Dynamics of Community Politics
   A. Compare and contrast the different theories for explaining who runs
community politics.
   B. Discuss the changing role of urban mayors and the challenges they
face.

VIII. State Legislatures and Public Policy
   A. Describe the three main functions performed by state legislatures.
   B. Assess the impact of legislative reform movements on state
legislatures over the past two decades.

IX. Governors and the Challenge of Executive Leadership
   A. Describe the role of governors in policymaking.
   B. Discuss the major challenges to gubernatorial leadership and sources
of strength for governors in coping with these challenges.

X. Administrators and the Implementation of Policy
   A. Explain the perennial tensions between administrators and
executives.
   B. Assess administrative reorganization as an approach to state
government reform.

XI. Courts, Crime, and Corrections in American States
   A. Explain how courts play important roles establishing and
implementing public policy.
   B. Discuss how politics is inherently embedded in the judicial process
in American states.

XII. Poverty and Social Welfare Policies
   A. Compare and contrast conservative, liberal and radical values in
understanding and developing poverty policy.
   B. Describe the roles of federal, state and local governments in
carrying out social welfare policy.

XIII. Education
   A. Discuss how state, local and federal governments work together in
providing public education.
   B. Describe how state and local governments responded in the 1980s and
1990s to the demands for educational reform.

XIV. Infrastructure Policies: Transportation, Housing, and Community
Development
   A. Discuss the major elements of transportation policy, including
public transportation options.
   B. Describe the basic problems of housing and programs to make housing
more readily available to the middle class and the poor.

XV. Regulating The Environment
   A. Describe the national environmental policy for managing water and
air pollution.
   B. Discuss the reciprocal relationship between state and local
governments and regulation on the one hand and the political economy of
states on the other.

XVI. State and Community Economic Development Policies
   A. Discuss how changes in the national economy and foreign competition
have affected states and communities.
   B. Describe the economic development strategies that states and
communities follow to improve their economic situation.

Methods of Evaluation of Competencies:

Evaluation of student mastery of course competencies will be accomplished using the following methods:

Grades will be based on a minimum of the following:

 1. Three exams stressing short essay written responses indicating
understanding of the basic terms and concepts indicated in the above
course objectives.
 2. One class discussion leadership project displaying the ability to
verbally interpret and discuss an important issue in state government.
 3. One written paper displaying the ability to research and analyze an
important state or local government issue.

See individual instructor’s syllabus for grading scale.

Caveats: NONE

Disabilities:

If you are a student with a disability, and if you will be requesting accommodations, it is your responsibility to contact Access Services. Access Services will recommend any appropriate accommodations to your professor and his/her director. The professor and director will identify for you which accommodations will be arranged.

JCCC provides a range of services to allow persons with disabilities to participate in educational programs and activities. If you desire support services, contact the office of Access Services for Students With Disabilities (913) 469-8500, ext. 3521 or TDD (913) 469-3885. The Access Services office is located in the Success Center on the second floor of the Student Center.