Political Science 001
 
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HOME: Course Introduction

BIG GREEN

Class Welcome                                    

Each class hour will be a fast-paced presentation of facts and key ideas with daily time to make individual or group entries in your "warm-up blue book."  You'll have time in class to identify your personal interest and to receive help (and give help to others) as you pursue your interest.
 
The links below the chart present a rich array of choices to allow you, working with your classmates, to find the materials and activities that will enable you to comfortably join the important political conversations taking place during this history-making period when difficult choices are being made during the Obama presidency. 
 
Also, you will be able to prepare for people in some areas to cast a ballot in on November 3, 2009 in a city or special district election.
 
Starting with the chart and links below, you'll learn about the key concepts of federalism and separation of powers /checks & balances.
 
 
 Daily agenda     |     Issues     |     Concepts       |     Dates to memorize     |     Online resources, maps     |    
 Other class materials     |    Play/Explore  |     Election Day Assignments        |               Special                  |
  
FEDERAL LEVEL
 
(also called national government,
central government or simply
"the government")
Headquarters: Washington, D.C.
X. LEGISLATIVE BRANCH
CONGRESS
U.S. Senate         House of
                              Representatives
(100)                         ( 435)
6 Years                     2 Years
Y.  EXECUTIVE BRANCH
PRESIDENT
Vice-President
Cabinet
Law enforcement agents
Z. JUDICIAL BRANCH
U.S. SUPREME COURT
 
1 Chief Justice;
8 Associate Justices
 
STATE LEVEL
 
Headquarters for California:
Sacramento
STATE LEGISLATURE
 
State Senate           State Assembly
(40)                        (80)
4 Years                   2 Year

GOVERNOR

 
Cabinet
Law enforcement agents
STATE SUPREME COURT
 
1 Chief Justice;
6 Associate Justices
 
COUNTY LEVEL
 
Headquarters for Los Angeles County:
City of Los Angeles
(County Seat)
58 counties in California

  BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

 
(5)
4 Years
 

 BOARD     OF     SUPERVISORS

 
Chief Administrative Officer
Law enforcement agents
SUPERIOR COURT
CITY LEVEL
 
(also called municipal government)
Headquarters for Los Angeles:
Civic Center (First and Spring
Streets) 88 in LA Count

CITY COUNCIL

 
5 (but 15 for City of L.A.)
4 Years
 
MAYOR AND/OR CITY COUNCIL
 
City Manager
Law enforcement agents
MUNICIPAL COURT
SPECIAL DISTRICT LEVEL
 
(for example, community college school district; air pollution control district)
Headquarters: various offices
5000 in California
GOVERNING BOARD OF THE DISTRICT
 
(may be the county Board of Supervisors)
for example: L.A. Community College Board of Trustees
(number varies)
4 Years
GOVERNING BOARD of District
or Board of Supervisors
(Administrative officials)
for example: Chancellor of the L.A. Community College District; Superintendent of the L.A. Unified School District
 
 
 
(Administrators make decisions
which may be appealed to Superior Court)

 

 

 
FEDERAL LEVEL
(also called national Government, 
central government or simply 
"the government") 
Headquarters: Washington D.C.
X. LEGISLATIVE BRANCH
CONGRESS
     U.S. Senate                House of
                                 Representatives
        (100)                       ( 435)
      6 Years                    2 Years      {1}
Y.  EXECUTIVE BRANCH
PRESIDENT
Vice-President 
Cabinet 
 
 
   Law enforcement agents:              {2}
Z. JUDICIAL BRANCH
U.S. SUPREME COURT
(1 Chief Justice; 
8 Associate Justices) 
 
 
                                                              {3}
STATE LEVEL
Headquarters for California:
Sacramento
STATE LEGISLATURE
      State Senate           State Assembly 
          (40)                                 (80) 
       4 Years                           2 Years        
  {4}
GOVERNOR
Cabinet
 
 
Law enforcement agents:                 {5}
STATE SUPREME COURT
(1 Chief Justice;
6 Associated Justices)
                                        
                                                              {6}
COUNTY LEVEL
Headquarters for Los Angeles
County: City of Los Angeles
(County Seat)
58 counties in California
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
                                       (5)

4 Years
                                                                            {7}
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
         Chief Administrative Officer
 
 
Law enforcement agents:                 {8}
SUPERIOR COURT
 
 
 
                                                         {9} 
CITY LEVEL
(also called municipal government) 
Headquarters for Los Angeles: 
Civic Center (First and Spring 
Streets) 88 in LA county
CITY COUNCIL
(5 but 15 for City of L.A.)

4 Years 
                                              
    {10}
MAYOR AND/OR
CITY COUNCIL
City Manager 
 
 
    Law enforcement agents:           {11}
MUNICIPAL COURT
 
 
 
 
                                                           {12}
SPECIAL DISTRICT LEVEL
(for example, community college school district; air pollution control district)
Headquarters: various offices
5000 in California
 
 
GOVERNING BOARD OF THE DISTRICT
 
(may be the county Board of Supervisors)
for example: L.A. Community College Board of Trustees
(number varies)
4 Years
{13}
GOVERNING BOARD of District
or Board of Supervisors
(Administrative officials)
for example: Chancellor of the L.A. Community College District; Superintendent of the L.A. Unified School District
{14}



(Administrators make decisions
which may be appealed to Superior Court)

{15}