Full course description
Badge Overview
This badge contains 7 modules
This badge examines how state and local governments are structured, how authority is divided among federal, state, and local institutions, and how public decisions move from idea to law, implementation, oversight, and challenge. Students explore federalism, the state-local relationship, state constitutions, legislatures, executives, agencies, courts, local government structures, and the influence of parties, interest groups, media, and public participation. Students also develop a practical State and Local Government Field Guide for their own community.
Badge Objectives
Upon successful completion of this badge, you will learn how to:
1. Explain how federalism structures and limits state and local government authority.
2. Distinguish the legal and practical relationship between state governments and local governments.
3. Identify the major institutional actors in state government and explain their core functions.
4. Trace how state and local decisions move from idea to law, implementation, oversight, and challenge.
5. Evaluate how non-institutional actors influence state and local government.
6. Create a customized State and Local Government Field Guide for the participant’s own community.