POLS 209 - State and Local Government Politics

Credits: 5
Explores and analyzes histories, structures, processes, policies, administration, and politics of state and local governments. Washington state receives close attention. Explores interest groups, lobbying, campaign finance, electoral politics, policy development and implementation, legislatures, executives, judiciary systems, ballot measures, political personalities, and intergovernmental relations. Students engage current political issues.

Enrollment Requirement: Eligible for ENGL& 101 or instructor consent.

Satisfies Requirement: Social Science

Course Outcomes:
Students who successfully complete this class will be able to:

Understand the roles and responsibilities of states and local governments in our federal system.
Understand the power relationships between local governments, states, and our national government.
Understand the unique role of tribal governments in the United States political system.
Explain the basic history of Washington State including its creation and evolution.
Demonstrate command of key concepts and theories used in the study of state and local government and politics in the United States.
Articulate current political issues in state and local government.

Program Outcomes
Demonstrate knowledge of politics and government in the United States and/or across the world.

College-wide Outcomes

Critical Thinking - Critical thinking finds expression in all disciplines and everyday life. It is characterized by an ability to reflect upon thinking patterns, including the role of emotions on thoughts, and to rigorously assess the quality of thought through its work products. Critical thinkers routinely evaluate thinking processes and alter them, as necessary, to facilitate an improvement in their thinking and potentially foster certain dispositions or intellectual traits over time.
Responsibility - Responsibility encompasses those behaviors and dispositions necessary for students to be effective members of a community. This outcome is designed to help students recognize the value of a commitment to those responsibilities which will enable them to work successfully individually and with others.
Written Communication - Written Communication encompasses all the abilities necessary for effective expression of thoughts, feelings, and ideas in written form.