Course Description & Learning Outcomes

Course Description:

This course is an introduction to the principles, organization and politics of the National Government of the United States, including the study of State and local government. In considering government at the State level, specific emphasis is given to the government of the State of California. Throughout the course, current issues in American and State politics are stressed.

 

                                       Image of a Classroom full of desks

(Allensworth Classroom by Joseph Vasquez CC BY 2.0) Links to an external site.

Course Student Learning Outcomes:

  1. Collect and analyze data in order to develop a thesis that addresses a key political science puzzle.

  2. Evaluate the tension between the states and federal governments on a contemporary federalism issue.

  3. Analyze the key ideological differences that separate the two major American parties.