COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course is a study of state, county, and municipal government systems, including interrelationships between these systems and within the federal government. The impact of current events on the state, county, and municipal governments systems is emphasized.

COURSE OBJECTIVES: Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:

1) Understand the structure, operation, and responsibilities of the three branches of state and local government.

2) Understand who and in what ways people participate in their state and local governments.

3) Describe the variety of forms of local governments and how they operate.

4) Understand the interactions between the federal government and state and local governments.

5) Comprehend the political science discipline and its role in the study of state and local government and politics.