Course Description
State and Local Politics is a required course for all those seeking a bachelor’s degree from The University of Texas Permian Basin. It does not have any prerequisites, but intellectual curiosity will be greatly rewarded in the course. The University of Texas Permian Basin’s undergraduate catalog describes the course as, “an examination of state and local political institutions and processes. Satisfies the state requirement in Texas government.” Students should expect to spend roughly 6 hours a week in the course. This is just an estimate as some students may complete the work in less or more time; it depends on the student.
Course Credits: 3
Prerequisites: There are no course prerequisites although it may be helpful to have taken PLSC 2305, HIST 1301, and HIST 1302.
Student Learning Outcomes
- Critical thinking skills to include creative thinking, innovation, inquiry, and analysis. Students will be able to analyze opposing views on a public policy issue.
- Communication skills to include effective development, interpretation, and expression of ideas through written, oral, and visual communication. Students will be able to compose a clear and grammatically correct letter to the editor of the local newspaper dealing with a local community issue and explain why the student is taking a certain position.
- Personal responsibility to include the ability to connect choices, actions, and consequences to ethical decision-making. Students will be able to analyze different positions on a public issue and take a position on that issue, considering the ethical implications of their position.
- Social responsibility to include intercultural competence, knowledge of civic responsibility, and the ability to engage effectively in regional, national, and global communities. Students will be able to write a letter to the editor of the local newspaper and articulate their positions on a particular issue to the larger community.