Introduction to Political Science/Government

PolS 100

Instructor:  Dr. Jocelyn Parkhurst                   

Office: 

Office Hours: 

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 Course Description and Objectives

            As we look around ourselves today and consider the issues confronting us, we see that almost all deal in one way or another with politics.  Whether we are considering the politics of international cooperation or conflict, fighting terrorism, health care, education, water rights, human rights, or our own family struggles, power is involved.  Politics is about power:  what is power, how it’s acquired, who has it, who wants it, and how it’s used.  Politics happens everyday in our lives, whether we work at the highest levels of government, in a business or academic structure, or are raising our families.  This course will explore the various aspects of politics, beginning with a theoretical introduction to political ideas and thoughts, exploring how these theories relate to real life, and uncovering ways that each individual can affect change in their own political world.  We will consider politics at a variety of levels: personal, local, national, and international.  Through an interactive style of teaching and learning, students will emerge from the course with a broad understanding of politics and power and how each person can affect change in her/his world.

Course Requirements

           Class discussions are an integral part of the course and participation is expected.  We will also have class discussions online on WarriorMail that will be equally important.  Students will also have a take-home midterm and final exam.  Four modules reflecting the integration of classroom knowledge and internet sources will be presented on an online platform in the form of short essays (4 fully developed paragraphs) based on prompts provided by the instructor with in-class discussions reflecting this information.  Students will also choose one week in which they develop and idea or concept beyond what is presented in the text in a 10 minute presentation with a 6 page paper to follow. Students will arrange with the instructor draft and final paper due dates.  Students will also have 2 out of the classroom interactive activities with a short 2 page write up.  The final grade breakdown is as follows:

Midterm                                                                                             15%

                        Final                                                                                                    15%

Presentation & Paper                                                                        20%              

Modules                                                                                             15%

Activities                                                                                            15%

Class Participation/Online Participation                                           20%

Required Text and Readings

There are multiple aspects to the readings for this course.  It is expected that the readings from the texts and/or other sources will be completed prior to the class date for which it is assigned, enabling the students and instructor to enter into discussions reflecting information gleaned from the texts.  In addition, students are expected to read the New York Times each day, either on line at nyt.com, or in hard copy.  Local current events will be an integral part of the classroom discussions, modules, presentations, and exams.  In addition to the text below, the instructor may add readings to the WarriorMail system for students to read.

Text: 

Required:

Danziger, James N.  2007.  Understanding the Political World:  A Comparative Introduction to Political Science, 8^th edition.  New York:  Pearson.

Expectations:

The instructor does not tend to allow changes in exam due dates.  If unforeseen circumstances deemed applicable by the instructor necessitate an extension for an individual student, the student must inform the instructor before the exam due date.  Late papers, modules, etc., will be deducted 10% after the first day and an additional 10% for each subsequent week late.  Presentations must be done the week chosen by the student.  Students may miss one class without consequences.  Subsequent absences will affect the student’s participation grade as the student won’t be present to participate.

Academic Misconduct

            Plagiarism and cheating of any kind will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted according to university policy.  Don’t do it.  This means students should be sure not only not to use other people’s work, but when writing a paper, be sure to cite any information that is not your own thoughts or well known information, whether it is a quote or summarized information. 

Disability Accommodation

            Reasonable accommodations are available for students who have a documented disability. Please notify the instructor during the first week of the course of any accommodations needed for the course.  Accommodations will be made according to university policy.

Course Outline

I.                  Introduction:  Political Beliefs and Political Action

8/29                             Introduction to the course

8/31                             Political knowledge and political “science”:  Danziger, Chap.1.

9/5 & 9/7                     Philosophical ideas and beliefs about politics:  Danziger, Chap. 2.  

9/12 & 9/14                 Political strategies and political action:  Danziger, Chap. 3.  Module #1 due online before class Thurs.

9/19 & 9/21                 Why we see politics the way we do:  Danziger, Chap. 4.

II.              The Players, Structures, and Institutions in Politics

9/26 & 9/28                 States and nations in the political system:  Danziger, Chap. 5.

10/3 & 10/5                 The structure of political institutions:  Danziger, Chap. 6.  Module #2 due online before class Thurs.

10/10 & 10/12             Varying types of political institutions:  Danziger, Chap. 7. Activity Report #1 due Tues.  Take Home Midterm Handed Out Thurs.

10/17 & 10/19             The politics of money:  Danziger, Chap. 8.

III.          The Process of Politics: Public and Private

10/24 & 10/26             The process of policy making:  Danziger, Chap. 9.  Take-Home Midterm Due Tues.

10/31 & 11/2               Political development:  Industrialization, Democratization, Imperialization, or demise:  Danziger, Chap. 10.  Module #3 due online before class Thurs.

11/7 & 11/9                 The politics of international relations:  Danziger, Chap. 11.

11/14 & 11/16             War, conflict, and violence:  Danziger, Chap. 12.  Module #4 due online before class Thurs.

11/21 & 11/23             Thanksgiving Break—No classes

11/28 & 11/30             Politics in developed countries—prosperity, stability, and security:  Danziger, Chap. 13. 

12/5 & 12/7                 Politics in developing countries—prosperity, security, and stability:  Danziger, Chap. 14.    Activity Report #2 due Tues.

12/12                           Moving from Communism to Capitalism:  Danziger, Chap. 15

12/14                           Using the past to inform the future:  Danziger, Chap. 16

12/19                           Take home final exam due in my office by 3:00 p.m.