POL 1013 Introduction to
Political Science FALL 2007
Office hours: MW
8:15-9:00; 12:30-1:30; F 8:15-9:00; TR 8:15-9:15; 10:45-11:15; 12:30-2:00; and
by appt.
Website: http://eaglenet.lambuth.edu,
go to faculty pages, click on my
name
I. The purpose of this course is to provide
a general introduction to the major concepts, themes, and terminology of
political science. Political science is the academic discipline devoted to the
systematic study of politics and political activity. The objectives of the
course will be for students to become aware of the foundations of political
science as a discipline, to recognize differences in its major sub-disciplines,
and to become familiar with important theoretical and methodological approaches
to the scientific study of politics and political activity. In providing a
framework for an introduction to political science, the course will begin by
defining such concepts as politics, power, authority, and legitimacy, and will
emphasize how these theoretical concepts relate to the actual processes of
government. Students are also introduced to possible career options or advanced
degree opportunities.
II. Required text: W. Phillips Shively, Power & Choice: An Introduction to
Political Science, 10th edition
III. Course policies: Attendance will be taken regularly. Each unexcused absence will
deduct 10 points from your final grade. Assigned material must be
read before coming to class as students will be expected to be able to discuss
the readings and to ask, as well as to answer, questions pertinent to the
readings for the day. Therefore, adequate preparation for class is essential, and the instructor reserves the right
to reduce a student’s grade because of absences and/or lack of preparation.
Class discussion comprises an important part of the course. Questions on
exams may be taken from these class discussions. Make-up essay exams are
given only in exceptional cases.
·
Cheating or plagiarism will result in failure of the assignment and possibly
the course with no opportunity for making up the plagiarized assignment.
Serious incidents will be referred to the Academic Dean for further action.
·
Except in unusual circumstances, I do
not allow electronic recording devices in the classroom.
·
Disabilities: Reasonable accommodations
will be made for students with a verified disability. Please let me know as
soon as possible.
Ø NOTE: Any noticeable cell phone
activity in class may cause the loss of points without notification.
Exceptions may
be pre-arranged.
IV. Final grades are awarded on a 600 point
scale: 4 article reviews @ 50 points each = 200; First Midterm examination
= 100; Second Midterm examination = 100; Final examination = 150; Class
participation = 50
550+ = A; 549-485 = B;
484-410 = C; 409-350 = D; 349-0 = F
Active participation, attitude,
effort and attendance may also influence final grades.
V. Article reviews: Choose any FOUR (4) of the articles on reserve at the library.
The
reviews must be NO LESS than two (2) but NO MORE than three (3) double-spaced pages of text (not
including the required title page –
refer to “Grading Protocols” handout) with one-inch
margins (right, left, top, bottom). Each
review must be in proper essay form
including a summary of the article (at least three-fourths of the
review) and a critique (at least one-fourth of the review) addressing
the following criteria:
·
Summary:
Title and author of the article (if applicable); date the article was written;
the main theme or idea of the
article; the most important facts the
author uses to support the main idea; the author’s conclusions.
SUMMARIES MUST BE IN YOUR OWN WORDS WITH A MINIMUM OF DIRECT QUOTES!
·
Critique: What
do you think about the article and the author(s)? What have you learned from
the article? How does what have learned reinforce
or contradict what you think about
the subject? What do you think about the author’s writing style?
Article reviews will be evaluated according
to quality of content (summary and
critique) as well as structure:
spelling, grammar, syntax and proofreading.
Content and Structure will weigh equally.
A superior grade demands a
summary that shows evidence of a thorough comprehension of the article;
evidence of a carefully considered critique; and minimal spelling,
grammar, and syntax errors.
Be sure to keep
copies of all your reviews for the duration of the course.
è If you turn in your reviews on
time, and your structure grade is BELOW 20, you may rewrite the FIRST
TWO reviews one time in order to correct the grammar (but not content) to
improve your grade.
**Rewrites are due the following class period, must be
accompanied by the original, marked paper and must be clearly labeled as a
rewrite
Late
papers are accepted only until the day before the next paper is due, will be penalized 3 points for every day late and may not be
rewritten!
VI. Topics to be covered by
lectures and readings:
(8/22, 8/24) Introduction: ch. 1; What Good is a
Degree in Political Science?
(8/27, 8/29, 8/31, 9/05) Power: The foundation of
Political Science: ch. 1
(9/07, 9/10, 9/12) Political philosophy and
ideology: ch. 2
(9/14, 9/17, 9/19) States: governments and policies;
political economy: chs. 3-6
(9/21, 9/24, 9/26, 9/28) The state and the citizen:
authority, legitimacy, political culture: ch. 7
(10/01) First
Midterm examination
(10/03, 10/5) Democracy and Non-Democracy: ch. 8
(10/08, 10/10, 10/12) Political structure:
constitutions and centers of power: ch. 9
(10/17, 10/19, 10/22, 10/24, 10/26) Political
structure: representation, legislatures, executives: chs. 14, 15
(10/29, 10/31, 11/02, 11/05, 11/07, 11/09) Political
structure: elections, parties: chs. 10, 11
(11/12) Second
Midterm examination
(11/14, 11/16, 11/19) Interest groups, bureaucracy:
chs. 12, 13, 16
(11/26, 11/28) Judicial processes: ch. 17
(11/30, 12/03, 12/05) International politics: ch.
18; Politics and the future
Article
reviews due: Sep. 10; Oct. 1; Oct. 26; Nov. 26
First
Midterm Examination: October 1
Fall Break Oct. 15-16
Second
Midterm: November 12
Final
Examination: December 7 (8:00-10:00am)