Appropriate for high school students, four units focus on the role, problems, and functions of city government. Designed to be covered in 5 to 6 weeks, the units involve students in interviewing city council members, listing community needs, inviting local officials as guest speakers, and examining problems resulting from the structure, limited authority, and routine operations of local government. Discussions focus on physical and fiscal community planning and the need for long-range planning. Active research includes examination of committee meeting minutes and official records. Each unit lists general concepts, objectives, activities, resources, and recommended evaluation procedures. (KC)