END 313, “Local Government – Policy and Politics” was designed to be a practical course (as opposed to a theoretical course) on the inner workings of local government. It is primarily designed for students considering a career in public planning who may someday be working for government or working for a private company working for government, but would also be useful to any student interested in the workings of government and the role of politics.

This course will focus on how public policy is formulated in local government. This course will look into the decision making process that produces the policies that make one town “work” better than another, and adds to or distracts from its reputation as a livable community. END313 will explore the politics, finances, structure and scope of local government in our region, in addition to the procedures, rules and vocabulary of the policy formulation process. It will also examine the role of citizens, planners, media, special interest groups, unions and other levels of government have in formulating policy.