STATE GOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC POLICY

Prerequisites & course information

Requisites: Sophomore standing Course Designation: Core GenEd - Social & Behavioral Science Breadth - Social Science Level - Intermediate L&S Credit - L&S Liberal Arts and Science Repeatable for Credit: No Last Taught: Fall 2026 Learning Outcomes: 1. Explain the basic organizational structures of state governments in the U.S, including their constitutional powers, and compare them with the national government’s organizational structure. Audience: Undergraduate 2. Describe the characteristics of Wisconsin State government and politics, including key milestones involving party organizations and dynamics, voting and electoral patterns, political reforms, and handling of ongoing policy challenges. Audience: Undergraduate 3. Explain the unique status of local governments in governance and policymaking, and as avenues for more direct citizen participation in public affairs. Audience: Undergraduate 4. Discuss contemporary issues involving state governance and policy, to include budgeting and finance, elections, commerce, education, environment, natural resources, and policing. Audience: Undergraduate Learning Outcomes: 1. Explain the basic organizational structures of state governments in the U.S, including their constitutional powers, and compare them with the national government’s organizational structure. Audience: Undergraduate 2. Describe the characteristics of Wisconsin State government and politics, including key milestones involving party organizations and dynamics, voting and electoral patterns, political reforms, and handling of ongoing policy challenges. Audience: Undergraduate 3. Explain the unique status of local governments in governance and policymaking, and as avenues for more direct citizen participation in public affairs. Audience: Undergraduate 4. Discuss contemporary issues involving state governance and policy, to include budgeting and finance, elections, commerce, education, environment, natural resources, and policing. Audience: Undergraduate