POLS 2025 - State and Local Government

3 sem hrs cr

This course is a study of the forms and functions of state and local government in the United States, with particular emphasis on government in the state of Tennessee. Prerequisite: Exemption from or completion of ENGL 0810  and READ 0810  

In rare and unusual circumstances, a course prerequisite can be overridden with the permission of the Department Lead for the discipline. 

This course may include proctored exams which must be completed on campus or at an instructor approved proctoring center which may require additional costs to the student. Please consult your instructor for additional details.

  Formerly/Same As (Formerly POL 1130, PS 2020, POL 1120, POLS 2010)

Transfer (UT) or Non-Transfer Course (UN): UT

Throughout the course, students will have the opportunity to…

• describe a federal system and contrast it with a unitary system of government.
• describe the pluralist model and contrast it with the power-elite model.
• explain lobbying at the national level.
• explain lobbying at the state level.
• explain the differences among the party systems of the fifty states.
• describe the interplay of national and state politics.
• describe the different types of primaries.
• describe the main features of elections for state offices.
• describe the typical features of state constitutions.
• describe the amendatory process for state constitutions.
• describe the characteristics, organization, and procedures of state legislatures.
• explain the pros and cons of bicameralism and unicameralism.
• explain the major United States Supreme Court cases dealing with legislative reapportionment.
• explain recent trends regarding the office of governor.
• describe the proposal to reorganize the executive branch of state governments and the effects of reorganization.
• explain the legislative and judicial functions of governors.
• describe the emergency powers of governors.
• explain the role of judges as policy makers.
• describe features of minor courts.
• describe the general functions of trial courts.
• describe the important powers of appellate courts.
• explain the major ways in which state judges are chosen.
• describe the movement to reform state judicial systems.
• describe state administration.
• describe state-local relations.
• describe basic features of county government.
• describe basic features of municipal government.
• describe metropolitanism.
• describe state and local policy making.
• describe how state and local governments are financed and staffed.
• describe the development of Tennessee’s constitution.
• describe the methods of amending the Tennessee constitution.
• describe the main features of Tennessee’s election laws.