Maricopa Community Colleges  POS103   19886-99999 
Official Course Description: MCCCD Approval: 01/12/88
POS103 19886-99999 LEC 3 Credit(s) 3 Period(s)
The Art of the Political Process
Integration of practical and theoretical aspects of politics, including a focus on the electoral process of the federal and state constitutions. Prerequisites: None.
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MCCCD Official Course Competencies:
 
POS103   19886-99999 The Art of the Political Process
1. Identify factors and causes of political indifference. (I)
2. Describe and compare various types of local campaigns. (II)
3. Describe local and state-wide campaign strategies. (III, IV)
4. Analyze and differentiate between campaign strategies. (III, IV)
5. Discuss the role of political candidates. (V)
6. Examine the role of money in the political process. (VI)
7. Identify and discuss components of direct political process. (VII)
8. Identify and discuss components of indirect political action. (VIII)
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MCCCD Official Course Outline:
 
POS103   19886-99999 The Art of the Political Process
    I. Political indifference factors and causes
        A. Prosperity
        B. Frustration
        C. Lack of trust
        D. Evidence and apathy
        E. Watergate and Irangate
        F. Political parties
          1. Patronage of the past
          2. Star system of the present
      II. Local campaigns
          A. State legislatures
          B. Requirements
          C. Types of campaigns
            1. No contests
            2. Money
            3. Grass roots
        III. Local campaign strategies
            A. Picking your race
            B. Selecting tools needed
              1. money
              2. Time
            C. Setting a plan and budget
            D. Fundraising
              1. Personal appeals
              2. Events
              3. Phone banks and mass mailings
              4. Political action committees
            E. Targeting and getting out the vote
            F. Relevance of issues
          IV. State-wide campaigns
              A. Kingmakers
              B. Strategies
                1. Market analysis
                2. Consultants
                3. Saturation
            V. The role of candidates
                A. Why they run
                B. What do they do
                  1. Local candidates
                  2. National candidates
              VI. The role of money
                  A. Where it comes from
                  B. What impact does it have
                  C. Reform proposals
                VII. Direct political action
                    A. Lobby
                    B. Political action committees
                      1. Single issue pac's
                      2. General review pac's
                    C. Civil disobedience
                  VIII. Indirect political action
                      A. Initiative
                      B. Referendum
                      C. Judicial system
                      D. Independent action
                      E. Single issue candidacy
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