PSCI G100: Introduction To Political Science
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Curriculum Committee Approval Date | 11/03/2020 |
| 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
This course is an introduction to political science designed to familiarize students with basic political concepts, political ideologies, political systems, models of political analysis and political science subfields. ADVISORY: ENGL C1000 or ENGL C1000E. Transfer Credit: CSU; UC. C-ID: POLS 150. C-ID: POLS 150.
Course Level Student Learning Outcome(s)
- Course Outcomes
- Identify key terms and concepts in Political Science; including politics, power, nation, state, nation-state building, and political institutional arrangements.
- Examine the various subfields in Political Science and each subfields important findings.
- Utilize investigative methods and appropriate technologies to examine and analyze political issues.
- Demonstrate critical thinking using the course content and present their work effectively.
Course Objectives
- 1. Explain the development of political science and its subfields.
- 2. Identify the key concepts in political science.
- 3. Evaluate and analyze normative and empirical approaches.
- 4. Identify and analyze basic political systems and their differences.
- 5. Analyze political behavior in international affairs.
Lecture Content
Political Science as a field of study History of Political Science Subfields American Politics Comparative Politics International Relations Political Philosophy/Theory Key concepts in Political Science Nations, States and Nation-state building Power and decision-making Institutions Political behavior Political Science Methodologies Research methods The Scientific Method and types of political analysis Hypothesis Data Collection: The use of primary and secondary sources Data Analysis: Causation, Correlation and Regression Models of political analysis: Structural, Functional and Cultural Political Science as a "science" Introduction to Political Philosophy/Theory - a Western approach Classic Liberalism Classic Conservatism Fascism Communism: Marxism, Leninism and Maoism Socialism: Revolutionary and Evolutionary Socialism Nationalism Introduction to Comparative Politics Political Institutions and Institutional Arrangments Basic political structures (horizontal power distribution) Legislatures Executives Judiciaries Bureaucracies Basic political structures (vertical power distribution) Unitary states Confederation as a system of government Federation as a system of government Political Institutional Arrangements Presidential Parliamentary or Cabinet Hybrid Political processes within different political systems Authoritarian systems Democratic systems Process of democratization Political Economic relationships Basic economic concepts Types of economic systems Relationship between states and economic systems Classification and levels of development Developed/More Developed Countries; Transitionally Developing Countries and Developing/Less Developed Countries/Under-Developed Countries Economic, Social and Political factors used to determine level of development Introduction to International Relations Theories concerning International Relations Realism Idealism Liberalism neo-Realism Levels of Analysis Individual, Rational Choice and Social Media Groups and Social Movements States: Unilateral, Bi-lateral and Multi-lateral agreements International: Intergovernmental Organizations (IGOs) and Non-governmental Organizations (NGOs) Cooperation, competition and conflict Balance of Power Hegemony Bipolar Systems Multi-polar Systems Globalization and its effects on the International System
Method(s) of Instruction
- Lecture (02)
- DE Live Online Lecture (02S)
- DE Online Lecture (02X)
Instructional Techniques
Lectures utilizing new technology Interactive Discussions
Reading Assignments
Complete reading assignments in the assigned required text(s). Complete required online reading assignments from a variety of scholarly websites and journals.
Writing Assignments
Students will examine and write a college level analysis of current issues in political science. Students will evaluate well-known authors/articles and write a college-level analysis of their approach to political science. Students will write and present report(s) that analyze political systems, political ideologies and models of political analysis.
Out-of-class Assignments
Primary research including attendance at scholarly lectures. Participation in discussions, presentations, debates. Secondary research utilizing scholarly journals, books, articles and online resources/databases.
Demonstration of Critical Thinking
Students will demonstrate the ability to evaluate and analyze political issues; scholarly work; and political systems, ideologies and models of political analysis.
Required Writing, Problem Solving, Skills Demonstration
Students will examine and analyze political issues and problems within political systems and will present potential solutions. Students will apply political models of analysis to various nation-states. Students will participate in class discussions and will critique students analyses.
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 Ellen Grigsby. Analyzing Politics: An Introduction to Political Science, 5th ed. Wadsworth, 2019 2. Required Van Belle, Mash, and Braunwarth. A Novel Approach to Politics, 5th ed. CQ Press/Sage Publications, 2019