New Course
Update/No change
Course Revision (Minor)
X Course Revision (Major)
Department: PLSC Number: 310
Course Title: California State and Local Government Units: 3
Date: 12/8/11
Total Semester Hours Lecture: 48 Lab:
Length of Course
X Semester-long
Short course (Number of weeks )
Homework: 96
Grading
Letter
Pass/No Pass
By Arrangement:
Open entry/Open exit Grade Option (letter or Pass/No Pass)
1.
2.
3.
Faculty Load Credit (To be completed by Division Office; show calculations.) :
48/16=3.0 FLCs
Prerequisite (Attach Enrollment Limitation Validation Form.)
None
Corequisite
None
(Attach Enrollment Limitation Validation Form.)
Recommended Preparation (Attach Enrollment Validation Form.)
Eligibility for ENGL 838/848.
4. Catalog Description (Include prerequisites/corequisites/recommended preparation. For format, please see model course outline.)
PLSC 310 California State and Local Government (3) (Pass/No Pass or letter grade option)
Minimum of 48 lecture hours per term . Recommended preparation: eligibility for ENGL838/848.
The study of institutions and problems of state and local government in California. California in the federal system. (Satisfies the California State and Local Government Requirement.) (AA: Area
E1 or Area E5b, CSU: Area D/Area F3, UC: Area 7C)
5. Class Schedule Description (Include prerequisites/corequisites/recommended preparation. For format, please see model course outline.)
PLSC 310 California State and Local Government (3) Minimum of 48 lecture hours per term .
Recommended preparation: eligibility for ENGL838/848. The study of institutions and problems of state and local government in California. California in the federal system. (Satisfies the
California State and Local Government Requirement.) (AA: Area E1 or Area E5b, CSU: Area
D/Area F3, UC: Area 7C)
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6. verbs.)
Student Learning Outcomes (Identify 1-6 expected learner outcomes using active
Upon successful completion of the course, the student will be able to:
1.
Explain and discuss the historical evolution of California political institutions.
2.
Identify and discuss the role of interest groups, mass media, political parties, campaigns and elections in California politics.
3.
Identify and discuss California’s various public policies regarding budgetary process, environment and social welfare programs.
4.
Explain and discuss institutional power relationships between the state government and the
7. various units of local government such as the counties cities and special districts.
Course Objectives (Identify specific teaching objectives detailing course content and activities.
For some courses, the course objectives will be the same as the student learning outcomes. In this case, “Same as Student Learning Outcomes” is appropriate here.)
Same as Student Learning Outcomes.
8. Course Content (Brief but complete topical outline of the course that includes major subject areas [1-2 pages]. Should reflect all course objectives listed above. In addition, a sample course syllabus with timeline may be attached.)
Instructors will vary somewhat in organization and emphasis of course material according to training, experience, and interest. Events may also alter the format as when elections, precedent-setting court decisions, or other important political events require explanation and clarification. The course content usually includes the topics listed below:
I. Geography, natural resources, climate, economic and social characteristics.
II. Cultural and constitutional history of California.
A. Procedures and politics of constitutional change.
B. Legal and practical relationships of federalism.
Ill. Political parties, interest groups, and elections.
A. Impact of Progressive era reforms.
B. Weak party system.
C. Public relations, interest groups and the mass media in the electoral process.
D. Personality politics.
IV. Direct democracy: The I. R. R.
A. Initiative, referendum, and recall: theory, practice & results.
B. Advantages and disadvantages of “direct democracy."
C. Use and abuse of the initiative process.
V. Legislature.
A. Representation, organization, and functions.
B. Features of the California legislature: centralization of leadership, legislative staffing, benefits, sessions, legislative procedures.
C. Lobbyist pressures and party practices in the legislative process.
D. Executive and legislative conflict and effect on legislature's potential.
VI. Executive Branch.
A. "Strong" chief executive.
B. Powers of the governor: item veto, executive budget, appointive powers, legislative leadership, etc.
C. Limitations on the governor's power.
D. Other elected state officers.
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3/24/08
1. Partisan offices: Secretary of state, comptroller, attorney general, lieutenant-governor, treasurer.
2. Non-partisan office: superintendent of schools.
3. Competition with governor's role.
E. State bureaucracy.
1. Structure and function of the major departments.
2. Role of the civil service: rights & responsibilities of state employees.
3. Planning, personnel practices, budgeting, "housekeeping" agencies.
VII. Justice in California.
A. Organization and jurisdiction of the state's system of courts.
B. Selection and removal of judges.
1. Executive appointment.
2. Voter accountability.
C. Grand juries and trial juries.
1. Role of lawyers, district attorneys, prosecutors.
2. Role of law-enforcement officers.
D. Rehabilitation.
1. "Hardened" criminals.
2. Juvenile offenders.
E. Problems in the administration of justice.
1. Delays in processing cases.
2. "Mass-production" justice.
3. Equality before the law.
VIII. Finances.
A. Development of fair and efficient tax system.
B. Budgeting, revenue, and fiscal control.
C. Individual taxes and tax collecting (Franchise Tax Board)
D. Problem of fiscal reform.
E. Impact of Proposition 13 and other initiatives.
IX. Local government.
A. County.
1. Charter and "general law" counties.
2. Functions, offices, and problems of counties.
3. Change and modernization in the county.
B. City
1. Incorporation, annexation, and legal powers.
2. Alternative forms of city organization: charter and "general law" municipalities.
3. Perplexing problems of the city: transportation, traffic congestion, crime, inequality of opportunity; air, water, and noise pollution.
C. Special districts and metropolitan government.
1. Specialized functions and complexity.
2. Problems: overlapping jurisdictions, lack of accountability, and waste.
3. Advantages of special districts.
a. B.A.R.T.
b. Golden Gate Bridge District.
c. water and air pollution control districts.
4. Trend to multiple function special districts.
5. Problems of representation and reluctance of counties and cities to relinquish responsibilities.
X. Challenges to government in California.
A. Protecting the state's natural resources against rapid population growth.
B. Reconciling demands for social justice and public order.
C. Maintaining and improving the quality of education.
D. Playing a meaningful role in a post-industrial economy.
E. Integrating and reforming governmental activities and operations.
Course Outline Page 3 of 5

9.
10.
11.
F. Maintaining credibility and hope in the political process.
Representative Instructional Methods (Describe instructor-initiated teaching strategies that will assist students in meeting course objectives. Describe out-of-class assignments, required reading and writing assignments, and methods for teaching critical thinking skills. If hours by arrangement are required, please indicate the additional instructional activity which will be provided during these hours, where the activity will take place, and how the activity will be supervised.
)
Lecture/discussion. Reading assignments in texts and source collections; also articles and political commentaries in periodicals such as the San Francisco Chronicle, Sacramento Bee,
Capitol Weekly News, San Jose Mercury-News. Use of media: film, DVD, online access, videotapes, CDs, slides. Guest speakers (elected or appointed officials at the state and local level or from interest groups (such as the League of Women Voters) on state and community topics or candidates for elected office on an equal-time basis. Group discussion/work. Attendance at public meetings, such as city councils, school boards, commissions, or county boards of supervisors, and reports on such meetings.
Representative Methods of Evaluation (Describe measurement of student progress toward course objectives. Courses with required writing component and/or problem-solving emphasis must reflect critical thinking component. If skills class, then applied skills.)
Evaluation includes objective examinations/quizzes and essay examinations to assess student progress in the mastery of course objectives. Likewise, with the same objectives, oral or written reports on research projects or public meetings; written or oral book and article reviews.
Representative Text Materials (With few exceptions, texts need to be current. Include publication dates.)
Title: California: The Politics of Diversity
Author: David Lawrence
Publisher: Thompson/Wadsworth
Date: 2010
Title: California Politics and Government: A Practical Approach
Author: Larry N. Gertson and Terry Christensen
Publisher: Wadsworth
Date: 2011
Title: California Government and Politics Today
Author: Mona Field
Publisher: Longman
Date: 2010
Title: Democracy in California
Author: Brian P. Janiskee and Ken Masugi
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield
Date: 2011
Title: California Politics: A Primer
Author: Renee B. Van Vechten
Publisher: CQ Press
Date: 2009
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Prepared by:
Email address:
Submission Date:
(Signature) damonf@smccd.edu
November 16, 2011
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