Local Government in Action: How to Make a Difference in Your Community

Preference to Frosh/Sophomores. This course will provide an introduction to local government, focusing initially on the purpose, functions, and structure of local government through a weekly speaker series featuring experts and officials in local government. The second half of the course will focus on specific policy areas such as environment, social justice, and affordable housing, where speakers involved with the local government initiatives explored in each unit will discuss their experiences with the class. Students will also have the opportunity to simulate a City Council meeting and learn how they can get involved in their local government. This course is the first part in a project-based learning series running through Winter and Spring Quarters. Students who take this class can apply for a position on a team working on a predetermined project for local governments around the Bay Area during Spring Quarter. Students accepted into the project-based learning experience will attend weekly training sessions during the second half of Winter Quarter in addition to normal class sessions to prepare for their projects. You can enroll in the Winter course without participating in the Spring class/project.To earn credit, students must attend at least 8 of the 10 meetings in the speaker series, complete the two assignments, and actively participate in the simulation. Students will be allowed up to two excused absences. (Cardinal Course certified by the Haas Center)