HomeMy WebLinkAboutPOL-104
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Bergen Community College
Division of Business and Social Science
Department of Social Sciences
Course Syllabus
POL-104: State and Local Government
Semester and year:
Section Number:
Meeting Times:
Locations:
Instructor:
Office Location:
Phone:
Departmental Secretary: [optional]
Office Hours:
Email Address:
Course Description:
This course is the study of state, county, and municipal political systems. The course
examines the making and enforcement of public policy and the political roles of the people,
political parties, political machines, and pressure groups. Intergovernmental relations and
evolving patterns of metropolitan government are analyzed with an emphasis on New
Jersey and Bergen County.
Credits: 3
Pre-requisites: None
Co-requisites: None
General Education Course –Social Science
Student Learning Outcomes: As a result of meeting the requirements in this course,
students will be able to:
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List of Student Learning Outcomes and an appropriate assessment for each:
Student Learning Outcome: Means of Assessment:
1. Identify and define basic concepts of
political science, e.g., power, politics,
government, administration, separation of
powers, checks and balances, and
federalism.
Exams/quizzes, papers, in-class, or online
discussions, writing assignments or other
activities selected by the instructor.
2. Id entify and distinguish between the
various branches and levels of government
and their respective powers.
Exams/quizzes, papers, in-class, or online
discussions, writing assignments or other
activities selected by the instructor.
3. Compare and contrast the constitutional
aspects of government in different states and
communities, e.g., strong mayor and weak
mayor systems, long and short-ballot states,
variations in appointment and removal
powers of executives, etc.
Exams/quizzes, papers, in-class, or online
discussions, writing assignments or other
activities selected by the instructor.
4. Identify and contrast the various methods
for citizen participation, e.g., elections and
voting, lobbying, and political parties.
Exams/quizzes, papers, in-class, or online
discussions, writing assignments or other
activities selected by the instructor.
5. Analyze the decision-making process, formal
and informal.
Exams/quizzes, papers, in-class, or online
discussions, writing assignments or other
activities selected by the instructor.
6. Identify these factors in their own political
systems, especially New Jersey.
Exams/quizzes, papers, in-class, or online
discussions, writing assignments or other
activities selected by the instructor.
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For General Education courses: indicate which Gen Ed/Essential Learning Outcomes
(EL1-11, below) are aligned with these Student Learning Outcomes* using a table:
SLOs: EL
1
EL
2
EL
3
EL
4
EL
5
EL
6
EL
7
EL
8
EL9 EL
10
EL1
1
1. x x x x
2. x x
3. x x x x x
4. x x x x x x x x
5. x x x x x x x x x
6. x x x x x x x x
EL1-Effective Speaking
EL2-Effective Writing
EL3-Mathematical Reasoning
EL4-Scientific Reasoning
EL5-Technological Competency
EL6-Information and Media Literacy
EL7-Social-Behavioral Analysis
EL8-Historical Analysis
EL9-Humanistic Analysis
EL10-Intercultural Awareness
EL11-Moral Literacy
*In accordance with the Standards for General Education Courses at Bergen Community
College (2013), all Gen Ed courses are required to address EL1, EL2, EL6, and EL11 (when
appropriate), in addition to the ELO that corresponds to its area of study (EL 3-5 and 7-9).
Political Science Signature Assignment:
Signature Assignment: Political Flashpoints in History
Objective: Choose a major event that served as a flashpoint in the political landscape of a
country or state. Analyze and deconstruct the elements that led to this event and evaluate its
effects on political change. Then, hypothesize an alternative outcome if this flashpoint had not
occurred.
1. Introduction: Select a major political event from history that significantly changed the
political landscape of a country or state (examples: the French Revolution, Tulsa
Massacre, Civil Rights Movement, the fall of the Berlin Wall, Hurricane Katrina, the
Arab Spring, or the Black Matters Movement). In your introduction, provide a brief
overview of the event, including its historical context and significance.
2. Analysis of Key Elements: Analyze and break down the factors that led to this event.
Consider political, ideological, social, economic, cultural, and global influences. How
did these elements converge to create a tipping point? Address the roles of individuals,
groups, or movements that contributed to the outbreak of the event.
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3. Impact of the Event: Explore how the flashpoint directly or indirectly caused change
in the political landscape. What were the immediate and long-term effects of the event
on the political system, power structures, and society? Discuss in what ways the event
caused a shift in governance, political alliances, or policy?
4. Alternative Outcome: Hypothesize what might have happened if the event had not
occurred. What would the political landscape of the country or state look like today
without this flashpoint? Present an analysis of how different factors might have played
out in the absence of the event. Would the political tensions have erupted differently, or
might the situation have remained stable? What other events or movements might have
replaced this flashpoint in influencing the political climate?
5. Conclusion: Summarize your findings and reflect on the significance of the event in
shaping the course of the political and social landscape of that country or state.
Consider the lessons that can be drawn from this analysis and how the study of political
flashpoints helps us better understand the dynamics of political change today.
Submission Options:
1. Presentation Slides and speaker notes
2. Paper presentation with Abstract.
*All submissions must include a reference list at the end.
Course Content:
This course is the study of state, county, and municipal political systems. The course examines
the making and enforcement of public policy and the political roles of the people, political
parties, political machines, and pressure groups. Intergovernmental relations and evolving
patterns of metropolitan government are analyzed with an emphasis on New Jersey and Bergen
County.
Course Texts and/or Other Study Materials:
State and Local Government, 11th Ed., Ann O’M. Bowman and Richard C. Kearney; 2022 Wadsworth.
Boston.
Research, Writing, and/or Examination Requirement(s):
This course requires students to complete a variety of written assessments including, not
limited to assignments, research/term paper/book reviews, and exams/quizzes.
Grading Policy:
Final grades will be computed on the following basis:
Assignments/Discussions 20%
Paper 30%
Exams 50%
Numerical grading assignment:
90-100 = A 85- 89 = B+
80-84 = B 75 -79 = C+
70-74 = C 60 -69 = D
59- < = F
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Extensions and/or make-up exams/quizzes will only be granted if, and only if, approval has
been obtained from the instructor and due to exigent circumstances substantiated by valid
documentation. Approval will be contingent upon requests made before the deadline and/or
scheduled date of exam/quiz.
BCC Attendance Policy:
All students are expected to attend every scheduled meeting of each course in which they are
registered. Attendance and lateness policies and sanctions are to be determined by the instructor
for each section of each course. These will be established in writing on the individual course
outline. Attendance will be kept by the instructor for administrative and counseling purposes.
Other College, Divisional, and/or Departmental Policy Statements:
Examples:
Statement on plagiarism and/or academic dishonesty:
Academic Matters - Bergen Community College - Acalog ACMS™
Statement on the appropriate use of AI (see the following link for guidance):
AI-Guidance-Resource-Page.pdf (bergen.edu)
ADA statement:
Disability Services (Office of Specialized Services) | Bergen Community College
Sexual Harassment statement:
HR-003-001.2018-Policy-Prohibiting-Sexual-Harassment.pdf (bergen.edu)
Statement on acceptable use of BCC technology:
Acceptable-Use-Policy.pdf (bergen.edu)
Recommended Syllabus Statements from the Office of Specialized Services:
Syllabus Statements | Bergen Community College
Statement on the purpose and value of faculty office hours.
Accessibility Statement
Bergen Community College is committed to ensuring the full participation of all students in its
programs. If you have a documented disability (or think you may have a disability) and, as a
result, need a reasonable accommodation to participate in this class, complete course
requirements, or benefit from the College’s programs or services, contact the Office of Special
Services (OSS) as soon as possible at 201-612-5270 or www.bergen.edu/oss. To receive any
academic accommodation, you must be appropriately registered with OSS. The OSS works
with students confidentially and does not disclose any disability-related information without
their permission. The OSS serves as a clearinghouse on disability issues and works in
partnership with faculty and all other student service offices.
Student Support Services
Bergen Community College provides exemplary support to its students and offers a broad
variety of opportunities and services. A comprehensive array of student support services
including advising, tutoring, academic coaching, and more are available online at
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https://bergen.edu/currentstudents/.
Sidney Silverman Library Online Resources: Guides BY SUBJECT - LibGuides at Bergen Community College General Search and Databases: Library | Bergen Community College
Course Outline and Calendar:
Date: Topic/Activity: Learning
Outcomes: Assignments/Events:
Week 1 State and Local Governments:
A New Direction
1-7 Exams/quizzes, papers, in-
class, or online discussions,
writing assignments or other
activities selected by the
instructor.
Week 2 Federalism and the States:
Sorting Out Roles and
Responsibilities
1-7 Exams/quizzes, papers, in-
class, or online discussions,
writing assignments or other
activities selected by the
instructor.
Week 3 State Constitutions: The
Fundamental Rules of State
Government
1-7 Exams/quizzes, papers, in-
class, or online discussions,
writing assignments or other
activities selected by the
instructor.
Week 4 Governors: Power, Politics,
and Executive Leadership
1-7 Exams/quizzes, papers, in-
class, or online discussions,
writing assignments or other
activities selected by the
instructor.
Week 5 The Judiciary: Independence
vs Accountability
1-7 Exams/quizzes, papers, in-
class, or online discussions,
writing assignments or other
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activities selected by the
instructor.
Week 6 Local Government: Types and
Functions
1-7 Exams/quizzes, papers, in-
class, or online discussions,
writing assignments or other
activities selected by the
instructor.
Week 7 Local Leadership and
Governance: Continuity and
Change
1-7 Exams/quizzes, papers, in-
class, or online discussions,
writing assignments or other
activities selected by the
instructor.
Week 8 Citizen Participation and
Elections: Engaging the Public
in Government
1-7 Exams/quizzes, papers, in-
class, or online discussions,
writing assignments or other
activities selected by the
instructor.
Week 9 Political Parties, Interest
Groups, and Campaigns:
Influencing Public Policy
1-7 Exams/quizzes, papers, in-
class, or online discussions,
writing assignments or other
activities selected by the
instructor.
Week 10 Public Administration:
Budgeting and Service
Delivery
Taxing and Spending
1-7 Exams/quizzes, papers, in-
class, or online discussions,
writing assignments or other
activities selected by the
instructor.
Week 11 Economic Development:
Competing for Growth
1-7 Exams/quizzes, papers, in-
class, or online discussions,
writing assignments or other
activities selected by the
instructor.
Week 12 Education Policy: Reading,
Writing, and Reform
1-7 Exams/quizzes, papers, in-
class, or online discussions,
writing assignments or other
activities selected by the
instructor.
Week 13 Criminal Justice: Cops and
Correction
1-7 Exams/quizzes, papers, in-
class, or online discussions,
writing assignments or other
activities selected by the
instructor.
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Week 14 Social Welfare and Health
Care Policy: Addressing
Poverty and Sickness
1-7 Exams/quizzes, papers, in-
class, or online discussions,
writing assignments or other
activities selected by the
instructor.
Week 15 Environmental Policy:
Regulation and Innovation
1-7 Exams/quizzes, papers, in-
class, or online discussions,
writing assignments or other
activities selected by the
instructor.
Possible Note to Students: This Course Outline and Calendar is tentative and subject to
change, depending upon the progress of the class.