PSCI C101: Survey of Current Issues
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Curriculum Committee Approval Date | 10/17/2008 |
| Top Code | 220700 - Political Science |
| Units | 3 Total Units |
| Hours | 54 Total Hours (Lecture Hours 54) |
| Total Outside of Class Hours | 0 |
| Course Credit Status | Credit: Degree Applicable (D) |
| Material Fee | No |
| Basic Skills | Not Basic Skills (N) |
| Repeatable | No |
| Grading Policy | Standard Letter (S),
|
| Local General Education (GE) |
|
| California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC) |
|
| Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) |
|
| California State University General Education Breadth (CSU GE-Breadth) |
|
Course Description
Formerly: PSCI C110. This course analyzes crucial current political issues in American society and the world by defining key problems facing modern society and offering potential resolutions. Students will learn how to evaluate contemporary issues in an informed manner and construct arguments based upon reliable data and appropriate political science theory. Transfer Credit: CSU; UC.
Course Level Student Learning Outcome(s)
- Critically evaluate news media and other information sources to identify and define key crises in the modern world.
- Analyze potential solutions to these crises by applying appropriate political science methodology.
- Acquire the data necessary for an informed assessment of potential solutions and be able to systematically assess the data's appropriateness and reliability.
Course Objectives
- 1. Describe current events and issues in American and/or world politics.
- 2. Explain the history of current events and issues in American and/or world politics.
- 3. Apply problem solving skills to analyze, evaluate and summarize opposing viewpoints.
- 4. Assess the success or failure of American and international policies designed to solve social and political problems.
- 5. Relate contemporary issues to their lives and communities.
Lecture Content
Critical thinking and analysis Methods of investigative research Research evaluation The proper role of government Selected issues for analysis and discussion: The Federal Budget and The Bureaucracy Constitutional Rights (Civil Rights and Liberties) Crime and Drug Prohibition The Economy and Taxation Education Health Care Policy Immigration The Media and Information Minorities and Women Poverty Defense Democracy and Human Rights Foreign Aid The Global Environment International Trade Weapons Proliferation Asia Europe and Russia Latin America The Middle East “THE” Hot Issue
Method(s) of Instruction
- Lecture (02)
- DE Live Online Lecture (02S)
- DE Online Lecture (02X)
Instructional Techniques
A variety of instructional techniques will be employed to encompass different student learning styles. These may include, but are not limited to, lecture, discussion, and small group activities. Instruction will be supplemented, where appropriate, by PowerPoint presentations, electronic resources and technologies, guest speakers and field trips.
Reading Assignments
Assigned from texts, periodicals, and other media.
Writing Assignments
Primary research including attendance at scholarly lectures; participation in discussions, presentations, debates; and secondary research utilizing scholarly journals, books, articles and online resources/databases.
Out-of-class Assignments
College-level written essays or other projects in which students will summarize and analyze opposing viewpoints, their assumptions and arguments, ideological foundations, and strengths and weaknesses relevant to various political issues.
Demonstration of Critical Thinking
Class discussion will be a significant part of the course for measuring the students grasp of current issues, critical thinking and analysis. Critical thinking will also be demonstrated through written assignments.
Required Writing, Problem Solving, Skills Demonstration
Case studies reports, and/or chapter projects.
Eligible Disciplines
Political science: Masters degree in political science, government, or international relations OR bachelors degree in any of the above AND masters degree in economics, history, public administration, social science, sociology, any ethnic studies, J.D., or LL.B. OR the equivalent. Masters degree required.
Textbooks Resources
1. Required Miller, W. Taking Sides: Clashing Views on Political Issues, ed. McGraw-Hill, 2020 2. Required Hill, S. Taking Sides: Clashing Views in World Politics, ed. McGraw-Hill, 2018
Other Resources
1. Instructors are encouraged to integrate library resources into their courses (Coastline Library). Resources include key databases such as EBSCO Academic Search Complete, CQ Researcher (including specific relevant reports on U.S. Congress, U.S. Presidency, Government Functions, and U.S. Supreme Court and Judicial System), JSTOR (specialized journals can be found under Political Science) and ProQuest Central (resources can be found under the subject Government Law). Specific relevant Political Science journals available through the library including Political Science Quarterly (Wiley-Blackwell), Political Science Politics, and the American Journal of Political Science. The library also has a large collection of e-books that support this course. Contact the library with any questions about library resources library@coastline.edu. 2. Since this course is an organic and dynamic experience in current and immediate issues quite often, facts, information and learning material will come from an array of various other sources, such as magazines, links, videos, research materials, documentaries, newspapers and news agencies, as well as some original documents and sources and online informational sources.