Content Outline and Competencies:

I. Concepts, Ideas, and Values in Political Science

A. Describe key concepts and theories important for understanding political science, politics, and policymaking.

B. Distinguish between differing ideas about the role of government.

C. Differentiate between the various value systems that impact politics and policymaking.

D. Describe the roles and responsibilities of political leaders and other public officials.

E. Distinguish among the major fields in political science.

F. Apply information to political situations and problems.

II. Institutional Structures, Functions, and Processes

A. Identify key political and policymaking institutions and processes.

B. Describe the functions and impacts of and differences between political, economic, social, and cultural institutions.

C. Explain basic aspects of political economy.

D. Distinguish between various theories and methods in political science.

III. Political and Economic Power

A. Explain power, the problems related to it, and how it’s used.

B. Compare the way power is distributed in various communities and settings.

C. Examine how different actors seek and acquire power.  

IV. Actors in Political Systems

A. Describe the rights, roles, and responsibilities of actors.

B. Explain political culture and political ideology.

C. Evaluate the impact of values, culture, ideology, and media on politics, government, and policy.

D. Examine the representation of people in the political system.

E. Analyze and explain the motivators for political action.

F. Appraise the impact of actors on politics and policymaking.

V.  Primary and Secondary Sources  

A. Analyze primary sources. 

B. Examine secondary sources to determine arguments. 

C. Create arguments using primary and secondary sources.  

D. Assess the impact of economic, social, cultural institutions, and change over time using primary and secondary sources.

E. Compare, using primary and secondary sources, the impact of individual actors on government, politics, and public policy across time.

Content Outline and Competencies:

I. Foundations of American Government

A. Describe key concepts and theories, including federalism, separation of powers, checks and balances, representative government, and the social contract theory.

B. Examine the development of the American political system, including the impact of political thought and pre-constitutional history.

C. Explain the core underpinnings of the United States system of government, including the United States Constitution.

D. Discuss what it means to be a democratic republic, and the roles, responsibilities, and expectations of governing institutions, public officials, and the people in a democratic republic.

E. Explain power, the problems related to it, how it’s distributed, how it’s used, and ideas about how to control it.

F. Describe the fundamentals of American political culture, including liberty and equality.

II. Civil Liberties and Civil Rights

A. Describe civil liberties and civil rights, and the mechanisms by which people pursue them.

B. Discuss the dynamic between the protection of individual liberties and the desire to maintain societal order and security.

C. Assess the role of political institutions for the protection of civil liberties and civil rights.

D. Describe the process of selective incorporation, including the 14th Amendment and key court cases such as Mapp v Ohio.

E. Describe the right to privacy, including the zone of privacy and key court cases establishing the right to privacy.

F. Compare civil rights movements across multiple groups, such as African Americans, indigenous peoples, Hispanics, Latinos, Asians, Persons with Disabilities, LGBTQ individuals, and women.

III. Public Opinion, Elections, Political Parties, Organized Interests, the Media, and Campaigns

A. Describe the rights, roles, and responsibilities of the people.

B. Evaluate the impact of political culture, political ideology, value systems, media, and campaigns.

C. Appraise mechanisms for gathering and interpreting public opinion.

D. Compare differing election systems, and their role in representing the people.

E. Describe various forms of civic engagement.

F. Evaluate political campaigns and campaign finance laws, and their development over time.

G. Analyze mediating intuitions (political parties, interest groups, and the media), their role in representing the people, and their impact on policymaking.

H. Examine how different actors seek and acquire power.

IV. Political Institutions

A. Discuss the major institutions of American politics, government, and public policy and their functions.

B. Describe relationships between various political and policymaking institutions.

C. Examine the ways people are represented in political institutions.

D. Examine the development of institutions over time.

V. Public Policy

A. Explain key political and policymaking processes.

B. Explore how public policy decisions are made and the results of those policies.

C. Differentiate between the various value systems that impact politics and policymaking.

D. Describe domestic and foreign policy.

E. Appraise the impact of people on politics and policymaking.

VI. Primary and Secondary Sources

A. Analyze primary sources.

B. Examine secondary sources to determine arguments.

C. Create arguments using primary and secondary sources.

D. Assess the impact of economic, social, cultural institutions, and change over time using primary and secondary sources.

E. Compare the impact of people on government, politics, and public policy across time.

Content Outline and Competencies:

I. The Constitutional Environment of State and Local Governments
   A. Discuss the problems with most state constitutions.
   B. Describe measures to reform state constitutions and the politics of constitutional reform.

II. The Intergovernmental Framework for State and Community Politics
   A. Explain the division of powers between the national and state governments.
   B. Describe the constitutional evolution from dual federalism through cooperative federalism to creative or New Federalism.

III. Financial Constraints on State and Local Government
   A. Identify the major purposes for which the state and local
governments spend your money.
   B. Describe the methods used by state and local governments to raise their revenue.

IV. Channels of Citizen Influence: Participation, Public Opinion, and Interest Groups
   A. Describe the major patterns of political participation and the attempts to increase participation of the poor and the racial minorities.
   B. Assess the influence of public opinion on government and public policy.

V. Channels of Citizen Influence: The Ballot Box, Parties, and Direct Action
   A. Assess the effectiveness of elections as instruments of accountability and as channels of citizen influence.
   B. Describe the organization and role of political parties in state and local government.

VI. The Institutions of Local Government
   A. Compare and contrast the different types of local governments and the functions they perform.
   B. Discuss machine-style politics and the reforms that emerged as a reaction.

VII. The Dynamics of Community Politics
   A. Compare and contrast the different theories for explaining who runs community politics.
   B. Discuss the changing role of urban mayors and the challenges they face.

VIII. State Legislatures and Public Policy
   A. Describe the three main functions performed by state legislatures.
   B. Assess the impact of legislative reform movements on state legislatures over the past two decades.

IX. Governors and the Challenge of Executive Leadership
   A. Describe the role of governors in policymaking.
   B. Discuss the major challenges to gubernatorial leadership and sources of strength for governors in coping with these challenges.

X. Administrators and the Implementation of Policy
   A. Explain the perennial tensions between administrators and executives.
   B. Assess administrative reorganization as an approach to state government reform.

XI. Courts, Crime, and Corrections in American States
   A. Explain how courts play important roles establishing and implementing public policy.
   B. Discuss how politics is inherently embedded in the judicial process in American states.

XII. Poverty and Social Welfare Policies
   A. Compare and contrast conservative, liberal and radical values in understanding and developing poverty policy.
   B. Describe the roles of federal, state and local governments in carrying out social welfare policy.

XIII. Education
   A. Discuss how state, local and federal governments work together in providing public education.
   B. Describe how state and local governments responded in the 1980s and 1990s to the demands for educational reform.

XIV. Infrastructure Policies: Transportation, Housing, and Community Development
   A. Discuss the major elements of transportation policy, including public transportation options.
   B. Describe the basic problems of housing and programs to make housing more readily available to the middle class and the poor.

XV. Regulating The Environment
   A. Describe the national environmental policy for managing water and air pollution.
   B. Discuss the reciprocal relationship between state and local governments and regulation on the one hand and the political economy of states on the other.

XVI. State and Community Economic Development Policies
   A. Discuss how changes in the national economy and foreign competition have affected states and communities.
   B. Describe the economic development strategies that states and communities follow to improve their economic situation.

Content Outline and Competencies:

I. Comparative Political Analysis

A. Discuss why we study comparative politics and the major methods used in comparing different systems.

B. Describe the various types of governing regimes, such as democratic republics and authoritarian regimes.

C. Explain the importance of constitutions as both a source of and a limitation on the power of the state.

D. Compare various legislative, executive, judicial, and bureaucratic structures.

E. Differentiate between various interest groups and political party systems.

F. Evaluate the types of electoral systems and their effect on political parties.

G. Explain basic aspects of political economy.  

H. Describe the functions and impacts of and differences between political, economic, social, and cultural institutions.

I. Discuss the interrelationship of political development and political economy.

II. Actors in Political Systems

A. Describe the roles of various actors in different political systems.

B. Evaluate the impact of culture, ideology, values, and diversity on government and politics.

C. Compare differing election systems, and their impact on political parties and representation.

D. Discuss the balance between individual liberties and order and security, using examples.

III. Power

A. Explain power, the problems related to it, and how it’s used.

B. Compare the way power is distributed in various communities and settings.

C. Examine protest and repression.

IV. Primary and Secondary Sources

A. Analyze primary sources.

B. Examine secondary sources to determine arguments.

C. Create arguments using primary and secondary sources.

D. Assess the impact of economic, social, cultural institutions, and change over time using primary and secondary sources.

E. Compare, using primary and secondary sources, the impact of people on government, politics, and public policy across time.

Content Outline and Competencies:

I. Theories and Concepts in International Relations

A. Describe key concepts, approaches, and theories important for understanding international relations.

B. Differentiate between the various value systems that impact international politics and foreign policy.

C. Describe the roles and responsibilities of different state actors.

D. Distinguish among the subfields of International Relations.

E. Apply information to international issues, international political economy, and international organizations.

F. Differentiate between theories of mercantilism, Marxism, and capitalism.

II. Levels of Analysis

A. Distinguish between the role of states, international organizations, non-governmental organizations, individuals, and nonstate actors.

B. Describe the state and the international system.

D. Explain the International system and the various levels of analysis of foreign policy.

III. Conflict and Cooperation

A. Describe the different perspectives of peace and conflict.

B. Identify misperceptions in foreign policy decision making.

IV. Issues and Topics

A. Examine various issues and topics in international relations, such as globalization, global health and environmental challenges, gender, migration, international law, security, human rights, sustainable development, ethnicity and global diversity, peace, terrorism, and sovereignty.

V. Primary and secondary sources

A. Examine primary and secondary sources regarding international relations.

B. Describe, using primary and secondary sources, the challenges to the state and state system.

C. Discuss, using primary and secondary sources, ethnicity, and culture in international relations.

D. Examine, using primary and secondary sources, the development of international institutions.

E. Compare, using primary and secondary sources, the impact of different actors on the state and state system, and international public policy.

Content Outline and Competencies:

I. Sources of Policy and Law

A.Identify legal databases and online policy resources.

B. Engage in the use of legal databases and policy resources.

II. Policy and Legal Cases

A. Review and analyze policy and brief legal cases.

B.Identify and evaluate arguments raised in prepared case briefs and policy statements.

III. Legal Foundations

A. Describe the historical foundations of environmental policy and law.

B. Examine sources of policy, law and legal procedures.

IV. Procedural versus Substantive Law

A. List procedural aspects of key environmental policies and laws.

B. Identify detailed substantive provisions of selected environmental policies and laws.

V. Provisions of Key Environmental Policies and Laws

A. Outline major provisions of selected environmental policies and law.

B. Identify the key provisions of the Clean Water Act (CWA).

C. Identify the key provisions of the Clean Air Act (CAA).

D.List the elements of the Resource Recovery and Conservation Act (RRCA).

E.List the elements of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA).

F.Recognize the key provisions of the Endangered Species Act (ESA).

VI. Emerging Environmental Policies and Law

A. Provide examples of current local, state, and national environmental policies and laws.

B. Identify possible environmental law and policy solutions to emerging problems.

Content Outline and Competencies:

I. Concepts of Political Theory

A​. Compare and contrast key concepts of political theory such as “Authority,” “Justice,” and “Democracy.”

B. Identify the competing definitions of human nature.

II. Origins and Historical Developments of Thought

A. Assess the significance of Plato’s Ring of Gyges.

B. Assess the importance of political thought on the French and American Revolutions.

C. List the impact of political theory on the industrial revolution.

III. Common Core of Values and Principles

A. Recognize the common core of values and principles important to an ideology.

B. Examine the ideologies of liberalism, conservatism, socialism, nationalism, fascism and anarchism.​

IV. Political Theorists

A. Outline the key arguments developed in Plato.

B. Identify the theories of Niccolo Machiavelli, Jean-Jacques Rousseau and John Locke.

C. Identify the meaning of utilitarianism developed by John Stuart Mill.

D. Describe the different key arguments made by Karl Marx.

V. Substantive Questions

A. Articulate an answer to the question, "How did the Ancients, in particular Athenians in the time of Socrates, understand the relationship between citizens and government?"

B. List possible answers to the question, "What are competing visions of democracy and individual rights, and how were they contested during the American Revolution?"

C. Discuss the question, "What is the American understanding(s) of democratic politics, and how is that understanding challenged by ideas like radical democracy and Marxism?"

Content Outline and Competencies:

I. International Organizations and International Cooperation 

A. Describe the policy process. 

B. Define international organizations. 

C. Identify international cooperation. 

1. Complex interdependence 

2. Regime and global governance 

3. Conflict resolution 

4. Peacekeeping and international security 

5. Economic and social problems 

6. Human rights 

7. Global environmental issues 

8. Arms control, limitation, and disarmament 

9. Development and sustainable development 

II. Position papers, Procedures, and Resolutions in Model United Nations 

A. Describe Position Papers. 

B. Explain Model United Nations Resolutions. 

C. Use Rules of Procedure. 

III. Foreign Policy of Selected Member States  

A. Identify foreign policy issues. 

B. Research policy positions. 

C. Describe general policy background. 

D. Explain member state positions. 

E. Distinguish between proposed solutions. 

F. Defend a country’s foreign policy and position on an issue. 

IV. Global Issues Addressed by the United Nations 

A. Explain the range of issues attended to by the United Nations. 

B. Differentiate between the committees that work on various global issues. 

C. Evaluate approaches taken by the United Nations to address global issues. 

V. Leadership as a Mechanism for Positive Change 

A. Demonstrate effective public speaking skills. 

B. Defend a country’s policy position. 

C. Construct a Model United Nations conference simulation. 

1. Instructions for high school participants in the Metro Kansas City Model United Nations (MKCMUN) conference simulation 

2. Management of MKCMUN committees including the review of position papers and resolutions 

3. Determination of quality of high school student participation at MKCMUN 

D. Develop leadership skills. 

1. Planning, and facilitating, organizing 

2. Collaboration and team building 

3. Recruitment and selection of team members 

VI. Primary and Secondary Sources  

A. Analyze primary sources. 

B. Examine primary and secondary sources on foreign policy and the United Nations. 

C. Create arguments using primary and secondary sources. 

D. Assess the impact of economic, social, cultural international institutions, using primary and secondary sources. 

E. Compare, using primary and secondary sources, the actors in the international system.

Content Outline and Competencies:

I. Introduction to Public Policy

A. Define public policy.

1. Public policy

2. Public policymaking

B. Describe key political institutions in the policy process.

1. Congress

2. The presidency

3. The bureaucracy

4. The courts

5. State and local governments

C. Distinguish key actors in the policymaking process.

1. The public

2. Political parties

3. Organized interests

4. The media

5. Non-governmental organizations

6. International governmental organizations

7. Elected officials

8. Civil servants and other public officials

D. Describe the facets of the policymaking environment.

1. Social

2. Economic

3. Political

4. Structural

5. Cultural

E. Clarify the role of ethics in public policymaking.

II. The Policymaking Process

A. Describe the stages of the policymaking process.

1. Problem definition

2. Agenda-setting

3. Formulation

4. Adoption

5. Legitimation

6. Implementation

7. Evaluation and feedback

B. Examine the stages of the policy process for selected public policies.

III. Theories of the policymaking process

A. Explain key theories of the policymaking process.

1. Pluralism and group theory

2. Institutionalism and rational choice

3. Policy networks and subsystems

4. Innovation and diffusion

B. Examine how political institutions constrain and enhance the policymaking environment.

C. Examine the role and influence of key actors in the policymaking process.

D. Examine the role of other factors in the policymaking process.

1. Social

2. Economic

3. Cultural

E. Examine substantive policy areas using theories of the policymaking process.

IV. Policy Analysis and Evaluation

A. Define policy analysis and evaluation.

B. Clarify the role of policy analysis and evaluation throughout the policy process.

C. Explain different aspects of policy analysis and evaluation.

1. Goal specification and change

2. Measurements and targets

3. Efficiency and effectiveness

4. Ethics and values

5. Politics

D. Explain different approaches to policy analysis and evaluation.

1. Goal specification and achievement

2. Cost-benefit analysis

3. Ethical policymaking

E. Articulate appropriate approaches to policy analysis for selected public policies.

F. Evaluate the impact of selected public policies.

V. Primary and Secondary Sources

A. Analyze primary sources.

B. Examine secondary sources to determine arguments.

C. Create arguments using primary and secondary sources.

D. Assess the impact of economic, social, cultural institutions, and change over time using primary and secondary sources.

E. Compare, using primary and secondary sources, the impact of people on government, politics, and public policy across time.

Content Outline and Competencies:

I. Introduction to Public Administration

A. Define key terms such as:

1. Public administration

2. Public organization

3. Public servant

4. Public policy

5. The policy process

6. Apolitical

B. Describe key political institutions in the administration of policy.

1. Congress

2. The presidency

3. Executive agencies

4. The courts

5. State and local governments

C. Distinguish key actors in the administration of policy.

1. Civil servants

2. Appointed officials

3. Elected officials

4. The public

5. Contractors

6. Organized interests

7. Nonprofit and other non-governmental organizations

II. Administrative Processes

A. Describe the facets of performance and accountability.

1. Transparency

2. Accountability

3. Efficiency

4. Effectiveness

5. Ethics

6. Equity

7. Representativeness

8. Responsiveness  

B. Describe the stages of the policymaking process.

1. Problem definition

2. Agenda-setting

3. Formulation

4. Adoption

5. Legitimation

6. Implementation

7. Evaluation and feedback

C. Clarify the role of ethics in public administration.

III. Theories of public administration and organizations.

A. Compare key organizational models and theories.

1. Classical model

2. Bureaucratic model

3. Systems theory

4. Humanism

5. Pluralism

6. Culturalism

7. Principle-agent theory

8. Network analysis

9. Diffusion of innovation

B. Describe typical considerations in decision-making processes, such as information availability and value systems.

C. Compare approaches to decision-making in public organizations.

1. Rational decision-making

2. Cost-benefit analysis

3. Participative decision-making

4. Public choice theory

5. Bargaining

D. Examine how political institutions constrain and enhance the administration of policy.

E. Examine the role and influence of key actors in the administration of policy.

IV. Mechanisms for the administration of policy.

A. Describe frameworks of community input in decision-making processes.

1. Ladder of participation

2. Rulemaking procedures

3. Adjudication

B. Examine the administration of policy within the contexts of federalism and separation of powers.

C. Explain the role of evaluation in administrative organizations and processes.

D. Differentiate between evaluative criteria.

E. Explain the rationale for and approaches to administrative reform.

1. Downsizing

2. Reengineering

3. Continuous improvement

4. Privatization

F. Explain key aspects of regulatory frameworks.

1. Authority

2. Resources

3. Economic regulations

4. Social regulations

5. Environmental regulations

G. Assess various accountability systems.

1. Compliance

2. Standard setting

3. Monitoring

4. Sanctions

5. Congressional oversight

H. Explain the budgeting process.

V. Primary and Secondary Sources 

A. Analyze primary sources. 

B. Examine secondary sources to determine arguments. 

C. Create arguments using primary and secondary sources. 

D. Assess the impact of economic, social, cultural institutions, and change over time using primary and secondary sources. 

E. Compare, using primary and secondary sources, the impact of people on government, politics, and public policy across time. 

Content Outline and Competencies:

I. Apply skills acquired during the internship application experience
to future career-related employment, volunteer work or community service.
   A. Prepare to find an appropriate internship setting.
      1. Write a resume.
      2. Successfully complete a mock interview.
      3. Identify appropriate internship sites.
   B. Apply for and secure an internship site in an appropriate setting
confirmed by a letter of acceptance.
      1. Develop learning objectives, strategies, tasks, and strategies
appropriate to the internship in consultation with Internship Coordinator
and site supervisor.
      2. Complete a contract between JCCC & internship agency or
representative signed by the Political Science Internship Coordinator,
student and site supervisor.

II. Successfully perform internship tasks and functions under direct
supervision in a mature and professional manner.
   A. Identify responsibilities, tasks, and duties of the internship.
   B. Maintain a log of hours worked and major responsibilities
completed.
   C. Demonstrate ability to complete successfully the tasks assigned.
   D. Work systematically and logically through the various issues that
arise in the internship setting.
   E. Develop human relations skills needed for the position.
   F. Display sensitivity to the needs of the diversity of staff, clients
and/or constituents encountered in the internship setting.
   G. Adhere to policies and procedures of the internship site.
   H. Respect the confidentiality of privileged information regarding
staff, clients, and/or constituents.

III. Demonstrate successful integration of classroom study and daily
internship work in journal entries, written reports, and discussions or
seminars.
   A. Outline the relationship between the student’s individual
education objectives and strategies and the internship duties and
activities. 
   B. Analyze the relationship between classroom knowledge and internship
related tasks.

IV. Prepare documentation, both personally and professionally, for a
career choice or avocation.
   A. Construct a portfolio that documents the steps in a successful job
search and successful job performance.
   B. Complete a self-assessment of personal growth in the selection of a
career or avocation based on internship experiences.
   C. Complete a self-assessment of professional growth in the selection
of a career or avocation based on observations made and duties
performed.

Content Outline and Competencies:

Because of the nature of a Special Topics course, the course Content Outline and Competencies will vary, depending on the Special Topic being offered. The Special Topics course outlines must be designed in the standard format for all JCCC-approved courses and must include the standard course objectives for a Special Topics class. The course Content Outline and Competencies must be written in outcome-based language. In order to maintain course consistency, rigor and uniqueness, each section of this course first must be reviewed and approved by the Political Science faculty prior to its being offered. The Arts & Design, Humanities & Social Science Division Curriculum Committee and the Division Dean will review each Special Topics course to be offered and approve the course content. The ADHSS Division will also determine when and if the course may be taught based on the instructional needs of both the department and the division. Individual faculty members are responsible for the creation of Special Topics courses and for seeking approval to teach them. Any specific Special Topics topic may not be repeated within a standard four-semester sequence.