Social Science - Local Meeting

General Education Capstone Course

Event/Experience Details and Guideline Form

Gen. Ed. category event should be listed under: Social Science

SCC competency addressed by event: Describe and explain the constitutions of the US and Missouri.  Explain social institutions, structures, and processes, evaluate the diversity of contemporary local issues and better understand the student’s relationship to those social issues.

Event experience ttle: Attend a meeting of a City Council or Board of Aldermen

Anticipated learning outcome.  Successful completion of this project will provide the student with a better understanding of the complexities of policy making, and the institutions of government.  Further, the student will gain insight into the specific problems addressed by local government at the city level and how those issues impact them personally and all citizens in general.  In addition this project will highlight some of the differences between the functions of city governments versus those at the county, state, and federal levels.

Guidelines for accomplishment of event

Attend either a working session or formal session of a City Council or Board of Aldermen (BOA) meeting.  Spend at least one hour at the meeting.  In your journal write an essay that discusses and answers the following questions:

1. What are the names of the members of the City Council (or BOA)? (Can be found on web site)
2. What kinds of general activities occurred at this meeting and what issues were discussed?
3. Were all of these issues resolved at this meeting?  If not, what will happen to the issues not resolved at this meeting?
4. Were there other spectators or members of the public in attendance? Did they participate in any ways?
5. How might the issues addressed at this meeting impact yourown life or future plans.
6. How does this activity illustrate the separation of powers amongst federal, state, and local governments as discussed in the US and Missouri constitutions?

Provide at least one the following: 

Event contact Web site URL:

City of St. Peters BOA time, dates, location at:  www.stpetersmo.net/

City of O’Fallon BOA time, dates, location at: www.ofallon.mo.us

City of St. Charles BOA time, dates, location at: www.stcharlescity.com

Other nearby cities: www.stchas.edu/faculty/rpettus/links6.htm

SCC event creator: Ron Pettus

Estimated time for full completion (include: making contact/appointment; attending activity; travel; and journal consideration and entry) 2 hours