INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION Instructor Name Phone: 303-695-6848 Office: Social Studies Office 241 Office Hours: 7:00-7:15am, 1st and 5th Email: sdwalsh@aurorak12.org Best way to contact me: email Guided Pathway Advisor: Cheryl Waite, Cheryl.Waite@ccaurora.edu WHAT TO EXPECT FROM THIS CLASS Student will gain an in depth understanding of with an emphasis on Colorado and the City of Aurora. Students will examine the structure of these governments along with how residents of Colorado and Aurora they can affect positive political change. Students will work on solving state and local political issues. Participating, reading, working with others and critically thinking are essential for success in this course. COURSE INFORMATION General Information Course Description Course and Section Number: POS 125- State and Local Government Day(s): Times: 7 th Hour Room: 245B Emphasizes the structure and function of state, county, and municipal governments including their relations with each other and with national government. Includes a study of Colorado government and politics. This is a statewide Guaranteed Transfer course in the GT-SS1 category. Important Dates Course Prerequisite(s) Course Materials Date Course Begins: January 7, 2019 Date Course Ends: May 22, 2019 Last Date to Drop With a Refund: 2/7/19 Last Date to Withdraw ( W Grade, No Refund): 4/24/19 Days where class does not meet: 1/21, 2/1, 2/18, 3/ 8, 3/22-3/29 Successful completion of CCR 092 (grade C or higher) or equivalent assessment scores. Textbook: Politics in States and Communities, 14th ed. Colorado Politics and Policy: Governing a Purple State Author: Thomas R. Dye and Susan A. MacManus
Thomas E. Cronin and Robert D. Loevy ISBN: 978-0-205-10996-8 D2L: This course has a companion site called Desire2Learn. On this site, you will find the course syllabus, grades, attendance records, and additional course handouts. Google Classroom: Online portion of course for class information, syllabus, class discussions, readings and assignments. Class Codes: - 3a9k7z COURSE POLICIES Attendance Make-Up Work/ Extra Credit Grading/Evaluatio n Success in the Classroom Environment and Expectations Good attendance is essential for success in this course. Students will earn 2 points per class for arriving on time and for participating throughout the class period. If a student misses more than 10 classes ( with the exception of medical documentation), the student will lose the attendance points for the semester (10%). Excused and unexcused are not different in a college class. Make-up exams will only be permitted with approval by the professor and must be made up within 1 week of the original test with a 10% grade reduction for the extra study time. Late work is accepted up to a week late, though 5% will be deducted per day of the original due date. Extra Credit will be available throughout the semester. Your overall course grade is based on your participation, test performance, research paper, and classwork. Attendance 10% Classwork 15% Research Paper 25% Tests 50% Each student s grade will be determined from the following scale: Grade Points A 100-90 B 89-80 C 79-70 D 69-60 F 59-0 Every student is rightfully nervous about grades and expectations, but as long as you stay current with the readings and participate in class you should have no problem in this course. I will always be available for questions from class lectures/discussions and from the readings. If you are confused about something we are discussing, please ask before too late. Politics is a confusing business-even politicians sometimes forget to vote on issues the way they said they would. Students are encouraged to speak up in class and fully participate. Cell phones will be used sparingly and when used, only for academic purposes. During most days, cell phones will be collected and returned at
the end of class. Please use the Hall pass after the first 10 minutes in class and before the last 10 minutes of the class. The Rangeview Writing Center (233A) offers tutoring services for students in all parts of the writing process. Any student who needs extra support, or wants to extend their skills, can schedule a 30-minute meeting for Tuesday/Thursday, or after school on Wednesdays. HOW TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN THIS CLASS How to Come to Class Prepared What to Expect During Class What to Do After Class How You Can Use D2L What to Do if You Miss Class Where You Can Get Help Outside Class Read the assigned chapters, always have something to write with, always something to write on and knowledge of current state and local political news. Do the assigned Discussion Questions per Chapter. Academic discussions about tough political issues. Respect and toleration is a must of yourself and others opinions. Students will be asked to work on developing strong listening skills, critical thinking skills and writing skills. Stay current with news via news channels, various twitter feeds and credible sources. Please become educated and informed citizen. DO THE READINGS! CE Students are highly encouraged to become familiar with D2L. D2L is the online component for CCA courses (on campus). Handouts, Syllabus, assignments and resources will be posted here. Students will use the dropbox to submit assignments. Let me know ASAP and also Check Google Classroom or D2L How I can help you: Be organized and give feedback How you can help yourself: Be prepared for class, be organized, ask questions and turn in work on time. How your classmates can help you: Exchange contact information Set up study groups Spend time working together in 245B on Tuesday/Thursday TENTATIVE SCHEDULE
1/7 Class syllabus and Introductions Politics in States and Communities Chapter 1, Politics in States and Communities pg. 4-33 (Textbook) Chapter 1-4, Colorado Politics and Policy ( Read for Assigned Reading Groups) Supplemental Reading and Group Discussion Expectations 1/14 Democracy and Constitutionalism in the States Chapter 2, Politics in States and Communities pg. 35-67 Introduce Colorado House and Senate Bill Research Paper 1/23 States, Communities, and American Federalism Chapter 3, Politics in States and Communities pg. 69-105 1//28 Essay Test #1 (1-3) 1/30 Participation in State Politics Chapter 4, Politics in States and Communities pg. 107-145 1/30 Colorado House and Senate Bill Research Topic/ Question Due 2/4 Reading Group Discussion #1 and Written Assignment 2/6 Parties and Campaigns in the States Chapter 5, Politics and States and Communities pg. 147-187 Colorado Politics and Policy Chapter 5-8 Reading Group #2 2/13 Legislators in States Politics Chapter 6, Politics in States and Communities pg. 188-225 2/13 Colorado House and Senate Bill Thesis/1st Prediction 2/20 Essay Test #2 (4-6) 2/22 Governors in State Politics Chapter 7, Politics in States and Communities pg. 227-257 2/25 Bureaucratic Politics in States and Communities Chapter 8, Politics in States and Communities pg. 259-287 2/25 Colorado House and Senate Bill Research Paper Outline Due- 5 Sources 3/1 Reading Group Discussion #2 and Written Assignment 3/5 State Capitol, Legislative and Historical Tour along with Colorado Supreme Court Tour Field Trip (All Day- Need Light Rail Fare and Lunch Money) 3/11 Courts, Crime, and Correctional Policy Chapter 9, Politics in States and Communities pg. 289-329 Co lorado Politics and Policy Chapter 9-12 Reading Group #3 3/18 Essay Test #3 (7-9) 3/20-3/29 Research Paper Work (Spring Break) 4/1 Governing America s Communities Chapter 10, Politics in States and Communities pg. 331-361 4/8 Participation in Community Politics Chapter 11, Politics in States and Communities pg. 363-403 4/10 Colorado Politics and Policy Chapter 9-12 Reading Group Discussion #3 4/12 Research Paper Rough Draft Due 4/15 Metropolitics: Conflict in the Metropolis Chapter 12, Politics in States and Communities pg. 405-431 4/19 Essay Test #4 (10-12) 4/22 Community Power, Land Use and the Environment
Chapter 13, Politics in States and Communities pg. 433-467 4/26 Research Paper Peer Review 4/29 The Politics of Taxation and Finance Chapter 14, Politics in States and Communities pg. 469-489 5/6 The Politics of Education Chapter 16, Politics in States and Communities pg. 527-547 5/10 The Politics of Poverty, Welfare, and Health Chapter 17, Politics in States and Communities pg. 549-577 5/10 Colorado House and Senate Bill Research Paper Due 5/13 Final Exam Chapter 13-17 GUARANTEED TRANSFER REQUIREMENTS GT Pathways Course Statement Guaranteed Transfer (GT) Pathways Course Statement: The Colorado Commission on Higher Education has approved POS 125 for inclusion in the Guaranteed Transfer (GT) Pathways program in the GT-SS1 category. For transferring students, successful completion with a minimum C grade guarantees transfer and application of credit in this GT Pathways category. For more information on the GT Pathways program, go to https://highered.colorado.gov/academics/transfers/gtpathways/curriculum.html. Content Criteria GT-SS1: POLITICAL SYSTEM CONTENT CRITERIA Students should be able to: Demonstrate knowledge of economic or political systems. Use the social science to analyze and interpret issues. Explain diverse perspectives and groups.
Competency: Critical Thinking: Students should be able to: 1. Explain an Issue a. Use information to describe a problem or issue and/or articulate a question related to the topic. GT Pathways Competency: 2. Utilize Context a. Evaluate the relevance of context when presenting a position. b. Identify assumptions. c. Analyze one s own and others assumptions. 5. Understand Implications and Make Conclusions a. Establish a conclusion that is tied to the range of information presented. b. Reflect on implications and consequences of stated conclusion. Competency: Civic Engagement: Students should be able to: 2. Civic Knowledge a. Connect disciplinary knowledge to civic engagement through one s own participation in civic life, politics, and/or government. GT Pathways Competency: COLORADO COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEM COURSE REQUIREMENTS Required Course Learning Outcomes 1. Examine the evolution of federalism 2. Describe the origin of state constitutions, state constitutional powers, and state constitutional processes 3. Analyze state and local executive, legislative, and judicial systems 4. Interpret voter behavior, the role of political parties, and electoral processes at the state, county and city levels Topical Outline I. American federalism with a focus on states relationship to the national
government II. State constitutions III. State political organizations, like the branches of government IV. Political parties, interest groups, and/or grassroots movements a. Roles b. Political organization c. Strategies V. Elections and political behavior VI. Local governments VII. State public policy issues