Experiments in Public Life: Introduction to Effective Local Political Action
GOVT 209
Spring 2026
| Section:
01
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| Crosslisting:
CSPL 209 |
This course serves as an introduction to local political engagement. With a focus on the City of Middletown as a key case study, students will learn how they can "think global, act local" on political issues that they care about. The course will begin by studying theories about how political power is organized and exercised, and we will learn how well these theories explain how policy is made and implemented in local communities. We will study how local government works and how non-governmental actors, such as grassroots organizations and the business community, are involved in making change.
Members of this class will not just study how politics works in theory, we will learn how it operates in real life in our city. We will participate in city meetings, meet with local officials and advocates, and learn how regular citizens -- even university students -- can become effective political actors in their communities. Throughout the semester each student will research a local political issue that they care about, and by the end of the semester they will contribute a positive case study to a public-facing "Positive Local Action" website that we will be developing as a class. |
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| Credit: 1 |
Gen Ed Area Dept:
SBS CSPL |
| Course Format: Lecture / Discussion | Grading Mode: Graded |
| Level: UGRD |
Prerequisites: None |
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Fulfills a Requirement for: (Government) |
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Past Enrollment Probability: 50% - 74% |
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