Objectives

Knowledge of geographical, geologic, and climatic zones of Arizona.  Knowledge of pre-Columbian, Spanish, and Mexican periods and major contributions.  Major issues of the territorial period.  Understand the influence of the past on the contemporary Arizona political scene. 
 

Readings Gawronski: chapters 1, 2 and 3  AZ Constitution: Articles I, II, XX, XXI Arizona State Map: Physical Relief/Outline

Tests Fill in outline maps of Arizona featuring zones, major geographic areas, and political points.  Submit as a matching exercise.  Submit essay delineating what you see as major issues in Arizona's past that continue to be reflected in modern day attitudes about government.  What issues surfaced during the constitutional convention that had long term effects on Arizona politics?

 

Objectives

Be able to describe the differences between state and federal authority.
 

Readings Gawronski: chapter 4 AZ Constitution: Article V

Tests Account for the shifting boundary between federal and state authority There are a number of restrictions on state power in the U.S. Constitution. Why do you think they were enacted?

Objectives

Knowledge of registration and voting procedures, and requirements.  Election types and frequencies.  Candidacy requirements and filing procedures.  Initiative and referendum elections.  Impeachment and recall. 
 

Readings Gawronski: chapter 5 AZ Constitution: Articles III, VII, VIII Sample Ballot

Tests a) Explain to a hypothetical newcomer to Arizona how they would go about registering to vote, voter requirements, when and what types of elections are held. b) Explain the initiative, referendum and recall process.

 

Objectives

Structure, power and organization of the legislature.  The law-making process.
 

Readings Gawronski: chapter 6 AZ Constitution: Article IV

Tests Describe how a bill becomes law, taking into account committees, parties, statutory and constitutional issues, house rules, and prohibitions.

 

Objectives 

Organization of the executive branch.  Powers and functions of elected officials.  Functions of the bureaucracy.  The executive succession.
 
 

Readings Gawronski: chapter 7 AZ Constitution: Articles V, XV, XIX

Tests Submit a chart detailing the organization structure of the departments of the executive, both elected and appointed.  What are the functions of these departments?  Do you observe any shortcomings of these departments?

 

Objectives

Description and characteristics of limited jurisdiction courts.  Superior court jurisdiction, and the qualifications, appointment, and removal of superior court judges.  Appeals court jurisdiction, and the qualifications, appointment, and removal of appeals court judges.  Supreme Court jurisdiction, and the qualifications, appointment, and removal of supreme court judges.  Trial procedures of civil and criminal courts.
 
 

Readings Gawronski: chapter 8 AZ Constitution:Article VI, VI.1

Tests Outline the jurisdiction, qualifications, appointments, and removal procedures of all levels.  Discuss the unique features of limited jurisdiction courts, and civil and criminal trials.

 

Objectives

Understand the budget-making process and the sources of revenue.  Understand the implications of how and why money is spent.
 
 

Readings Gawronski: chapter 9 AZ Constitution: Articles IX, X, XI

Tests Describe the budget priorities as defined in Gawronski. What are some reasons why Arizona taxes and spends the way it does?

 

Objectives

Officers, qualifications, organization, and powers of county government.  Different types of local government, and their functions, officers, and organization.  Significance of incorporation. 
 

Readings Gawronski: chapters 10 and 11 AZ Constitution: Articles XII, XIII

Tests What are the objectives and functions of local government?

 

Objectives

Be able to describe tribal governments and their relationship to the state. 
 
 

Readings Gawronski: chapter 12

Tests Describe the various positions on "sovereignty" as they apply to tribal government. What is the jurisdiction of tribal law?

Objectives

Identify the trends of Arizona politics.  Evaluate the probable future and consider the alternatives.
 
 

Readings Gawronski: chapter 13 AZ Constitution: Articles XVIII, XXV, XXVII A selected article in Arizona Highways

Tests Select a contemporary Arizona issue from media sources.  Explain and interpret it within the context of the culture, history, demographics, political climate, and constitution of Arizona.  In other words, apply the unique characteristics of Arizona to an interpretation of one of its issues. So, why is Arizona unique? Click here for the on-line version of the Arizona Republic

 

Now that you have read the text, read the Arizona constitution, and, hopefully, read numerous volumes of collateral materials, it is time to integrate all you have learned by crafting your own constitutional masterpiece. 

No, you do not have to create your own constitution, but, please do this: 

Identify five (5) provisions within the Arizona constitution which you feel could be strengthened.  How would you strengthen them?  What do you perceive as being the projected outcome of your changes?