PSA 410: Political & Legal Systems in PSA

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
Discussion Board	30%
Written Assignments	35%
Final Paper	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.

Additional Resources

Special Report on Performance of the States from Governing.com located at http://www.governing.com/gpp/2005/intro.htm
Community Oriented Policing Services "COPS Application" and all related materials located at http://www.cops.usdoj.gov
A description of the U.S. legislative process http://www.house.gov/house/tying_it_all.html
"How Our Laws are Made" by Charles W. Johnson http://thomas.loc.gov/home/lawsmade.toc.html
Information on federal funding resources: http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/fundopp.htm

Course Schedule

Week	SLOs	Readings and Exercises	Assignments
1	1, 2, 5	Topic: Government in Action Readings: None	Post an introduction of yourself in the Discussion Board. Answer questions in Discussion Board and participate in discussion. Begin work on Government in Action Paper Topic Summary
2	1, 2, 3, 5	Topic: Government Relations & Political Participation Readings: Read Chapters 2, 3, and 4 in the textbook. Review additional course materials concerning COPS Grant Program located at http://www.cops.usdoj.gov Review information concerning other federal grants located at http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/fundopps.htm	Read assigned chapters Answer questions in Discussion Board Participate in discussion. Final Paper Outline Complete and Submit Government in Action Paper
3	1, 2, 3, 4	Topic: The Legislative Process Readings: Read Chapters 5 and 7 in the textbook. Review Special Report on Performance of the States from Governing.com, and read the materials related to your home state located at http://www.governing.com/gpp/2005/intro.htm Read article entitled "Description of the U.S. Legislative Process" at http://www.house.gov/house/Tying_it_all.html	Read assigned chapters Answer questions in Discussion Board Participate in discussion. Bill Draft Public Opinion Paper
4	1, 2, 4	Topic: Executives and the Bureaucracy Readings: Read Chapters 6 and 8 in the text	Read assigned chapters Answer questions in Discussion Board Participate in discussion Chapter 6 & 8 Paper
5	4, 5	Topic: Solving Problems in Government Readings: None	Complete Final Paper Complete Course Evaluation

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.