Course Description
This course will focus on analyzing the importance of successful interaction between the different levels of government and agencies within a particular government. Students will explore the application of the political and legal systems as they directly affect public safety programs. They will develop a model for understanding governmental, legal and operational problems. The course's final project will detail the formation and implementation of a task force designed to target a problem requiring the cooperation of various government agencies. (3 credits)
Prerequisites
- ENG 101: English Composition 1
- ENG 102: English Composition 2
- Background in public safety or obtained permission from the instructor to take this course
Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs)
Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:
- Identify the basic relationship between federal, state and local government with an emphasis on state and local governments.
- Explain the importance of successful interaction between the different levels of government and agencies within a particular government.
- Explain the parameters of a single agency or program action and how to extend agency problem-solving skills outside of such singular parameters.
- Differentiate other levels of government and other agencies as resources for information, support and/or funding for problem-solving skills.
- Select and identify a problem area, develop a plan to target the problem and implement the objectives of the plan by utilizing interagency and intergovernmental cooperation.
Course Activities and Grading
| Assignments | Weight |
|---|---|
Discussions (Weeks 1-5) | 30% |
Written Assignments (Weeks 1-5) | 35% |
Final Paper (Week 5) | 35% |
Total | 100% |
Required Textbooks
Available through Charter Oak State College's Book Bundle
- Bowman, Ann. State and Local Government. 11th ed. Wadsworth, Inc., 2022.
Course Schedule
| Week | SLOs | Readings and Exercises | Assignments |
|---|---|---|---|
1 | 1, 2, 5 | Topic: Government in Action
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2 | 2-4 | Topic: Government Relations & Political Participation
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3 | 1-4 | Topic: The Legislative Process
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4 | 1, 2, 4 | Topic: Executives and the Bureaucracy
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5 | 4, 5 | Topic: Solving Problems in Government
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COSC Accessibility Statement
Charter Oak State College encourages students with disabilities, including non-visible disabilities such as chronic diseases, learning disabilities, head injury, attention deficit/hyperactive disorder, or psychiatric disabilities, to discuss appropriate accommodations with the Office of Accessibility Services at OAS@charteroak.edu.
COSC Policies, Course Policies, Academic Support Services and Resources
Students are responsible for knowing all Charter Oak State College (COSC) institutional policies, course-specific policies, procedures, and available academic support services and resources. Please see COSC Policies for COSC institutional policies, and see also specific policies related to this course. See COSC Resources for information regarding available academic support services and resources.