State and Local Government

Catalog description

IL, SS- This political science course focuses on the institutions, processes, and challenges involved in making and implementing public policy at both the state and local level. Students will examine the political and legal foundations of state and local governments and the actors that influence policy outcomes to understand 1) how state and local governments function, 2) what allows governments to meet the needs of their constituents and 3) what prevents governments from achieving their goals. Students will also participate in a hands-on policy project applying these concepts to solving a problem at the local level. Although this course will focus on state and local government generally, it will give special attention to the state of Washington.