POL 112 - American State and Local Government

1. Distinguish between the concepts of government and politics, and provide examples of each.
2. Identify and assess the main branches and levels of American federal system.
3. Differentiate between the jurisdiction and role of the national, state and local government components of the American federal system.
4. Identify the main political actors in the American system of state and local government.
5. Provide examples of political issues and the role of scarcity and values in influencing political debate at the state and local level government in the United States

B. Describe and assess the main political institutions and their functions and processes in the operation of the American system of state and local government.

1. Identify the main political institutions of the American system of state and local governments.
2. Describe the main institutions and processes of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government at the state and local level.
3. Describe and evaluate the relationship between national, state, and local governments in the U.S.
4. Evaluate the present and past role of state and local governments in modern American society.
5. Explain the dual constitutional system and identify ways in which state constitutions differ in format and amendment procedure.

C. Analyze the cultural and historical influences on the development of the American system of state and local government.

1. Analyze the role of political culture in the evolution of the American system of state and local government.
2. Evaluate the role of democracy and republicanism in the evolution of the American system of state and local government.
3. Assess the importance of checks and balances in the American system of state and local government.
4. Assess the importance of separation of powers in the American system of state and local government.
5. Compare various U.S. state and local systems of government, politics, and elections.

D. Evaluate the past and present roles of state and local government in American society and the electorate.

1. Trace the development of American federalism and evaluate its impact on the American system of state and local government over time.
2. Provide examples of notable controversies centering on federalism and the related role of state and local governments.
3. Distinguish between direct and indirect forms of democracy and provide examples of each in the American experience of state and local governments.
4. Describe and assess each major step of the lawmaking process, including that of judicial review as it relates to federalism and the role of state and local governments.
5. Evaluate the functions of the party primaries and general elections in the American system of state and local governments.

E. Evaluate common forms of American political participation at the state and local levels, and the main influences on that behavior.

1. Identify common forms of American political participation and the main influences on that behavior at the levels of state and local government.
2. Evaluate the main functions of the media on the American system of state and local government and politics.
3. Evaluate the main functions of political campaigns and elections on the American system of state and local government and politics.
4. Evaluate the main functions of political parties (and nonpartisanship) on the American system of state and local government and politics.
5. Evaluate the main functions of interest groups on the American system of state and local government and politics.

F. Identify and evaluate the role of civil rights and civil liberties in the evolution of the American system of state and local government.

1. Differentiate between civil rights and civil liberties, and provide examples of both concepts at the level state and local governments.
2. Trace the historic evolution of civil rights in the American system of state and local government and politics.
3. Trace the historic evolution of civil liberties in the American system of state and local government and politics.
4. Provide examples of notable pieces of legislation and landmark judicial cases relating to civil liberties and civil rights that effect state and local governments.
5. Evaluate the contemporary role of civil rights and civil liberties issues in the American system of state and local government and politics.

G. Interpret past and present political issues from the perspectives of different political ideologies, theories, and practical considerations.

1. Identify the most important American political ideologies and provide examples of related issue stances at the state and local level of government.
2. Describe the American political spectrum and pinpoint major political ideologies on that spectrum, as they relate to the American system of state and local government.
3. Evaluate the role of government in addressing political issues, as articulated by major American political theories, political ideologies, and political parties.
4. Provide examples of notable U.S. Supreme Court cases involving issues of federalism, and evaluate those cases from the perspective of different political ideologies or theories.
5. Demonstrate an understanding of the budgetary and revenue issues at the state and local level.