South Carolina Government

		South Carolina Government Gint 570 Course Objectives

1.	Explain how state and local governments function as democratic institutions and the responsibility they have for domestic functions in the U. S.
2.	Explain the diversity that exists in the politics and administration of state agencies and among local governments.
3.	Explain the political and legal changes that have occurred in S. C. state and local governments and the significance of them.
4.	Explain how S. C. state and local governments operate in the context of the American federal arrangement and the shifting nature of the concept of federalism.
5.	Explain how political parties have developed in S. C., identify similarities and differences with the U. S. generally and other regions of the country, and how parties attempt to influence public policy.
6.	Explain how interest groups form, they role they play in society, and how they differ from political parties. Give examples of specific groups and the positions they take.
7.	Explain how demographic changes and spatial settlement patterns influence government and politics. Be able to list some examples of government policies that have had unintended consequences for American and S. C. politics. Comment and take a position on public policies affecting South Carolinians today.
8.	Explain the meaning of the concept of "rights" and how they have changed over time. Relate the notion of "rights" to the national and state constitution, and to the courts.