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National College Credit Recommendation Service

Board of Regents  |  University of the State of New York

American Legion Auxiliary Empire Girls State, Inc. | Evaluated Learning Experience

State and Local Government and Politics

Formerly State Government and Politics
Length: 
40 hours (1 week); in addition, 40-hour post-course supervised internship.
Location: 
Various college facilities in New York State.
Dates: 

Version 1: June 1983 - May 1991. Version 2: June 1991 - May 2001. Version 3: June 2001 - December 2016.

Instructional delivery format: 
Traditional classroom model
Learner Outcomes: 

Version 1: Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able: expand and deepen the  knowledge of the electoral process and its results. Version 2 or 3: Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to: describe the structure and function of state and local governments within the intergovernmental system.

Instruction: 

Version 1: The Program is focused on public policy issues and processes, and the study of the electoral process: how it works and how it provides for representation in the American political system. Students participate in lecture/discussion sessions, seminars, and simulation exercises. During her senior year of high school following the Girls State experience, each student prepares a research design of approximately four pages which is then developed into a major research paper of a minimum of 20 pages under the direction of a mentor. The research design and research paper are submitted to a panel of college professors for grading. In addition, each student is required to complete an approved internship of at least 40 hours in government and/or politics during her senior year. Version 2: Through lecture/discussion sessions, seminars, and simulation exercises, the following topics in state and local government are addressed: state governments within the federal system; traditional state and local government responsibilities; state constitutional development; a comparison of the three branches of government (the executive, legislative and judicial) at the national, state, and local levels; political parties in the United States with focus on the states; the role of interest groups and the importance of elections at state and local levels of government. Emphasis is on public policy formulation, with New York State as the relevant example. During her senior year of high school following the Girls State experience each student is required to complete an approved 40-hour internship in government and/or politics. In addition, two of the following three written assignments must also be completed, under the supervision of a mentor: a learning log based on the internship experience; an annotated bibliography for a topic in government or political science; a 10-page research paper on a topic in government or political science. Version 3: Through lecture/discussion sessions, seminars, and simulation exercises, the following topics in state and local government are addressed: state governments within the federal system; traditional state and local government responsibilities; state constitutional development; a comparison of the three branches of government (the executive, legislative and judicial) at the national, state, and local levels; political parties in the United States with focus on the states; the role of interest groups and the importance of elections at state and local levels of government. Emphasis is on public policy formulation, with New York State as the relevant example. During her senior year of high school following the Girls State experience each student is required to complete an approved 40-hour internship in government and/or politics (if applying for college credit). In addition, the following written assignments must also be completed, under the supervision of a mentor and the Girls State political instructor: a learning log based on the internship experience and Girls State experiences; an extended policy memo based on research on a state or local issue.

Credit recommendation: 

Version 1, 2, or 3: In the lower division baccalaureate/associate degree category, 3 semester hours in Government or Political Science (6/85) (6/91 revalidation) (6/96 revalidation) (6/01 revalidation) (11/06 revalidation) (11/11 revalidation).

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