POLS 102 Introduction to Political Science

This course is a basic introduction to political science, discussing origins and justification of government and how and why people get involved in politics. The course emphasizes different forms of government and public policy and basic ideas and theories.

Credits

3 Credits

Semester Contact Hours Lecture

48

General Education Competency

GEM Social and Behavioral Ways of Knowing

POLS 102Introduction to Political Science

Please note: This is not a course syllabus. A course syllabus is unique to a particular section of a course by instructor. This curriculum guide provides general information about a course.

I. General Information

Department

Social Science

II. Course Specification

Course Type

General Education

General Education Competency

GEM Social and Behavioral Ways of Knowing

Credit Hours Narrative

3 Credits

Semester Contact Hours Lecture

48

Grading Method

Letter grade

Repeatable

N

III. Catalog Course Description

This course is a basic introduction to political science, discussing origins and justification of government and how and why people get involved in politics. The course emphasizes different forms of government and public policy and basic ideas and theories.

IV. Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, a student will be able to:

• Explain the attributes of the modern state and show how power is attained and used by political actors.
• Explain and criticize how politics is communicated through pop culture like film, comics, TV, music, and the internet and critically interpret political content in pop culture.
• Explain theories of why humans create governments to overcome collective action problems.
• Demonstrate comprehension of political theories, institutions and processes.
• Demonstrate the ability to think, integrate, and logically organize, not just memorize, political information.
• Be able to gather knowledge from other disciplines to interpret political situations and put it to use in class work.
• Demonstrate the ability to apply insights from the study of political science to understand local, state, national and international developments.

V. Topical Outline (Course Content)

Comparative perspectives on The modern state Regimes types Political institutions (electoral systems, legislatures, executives, courts, constitutions, parties, interest groups) Social movements Political violence Policy making Economic systems Political satire and politics in popular culture

VI. Delivery Methodologies

Required Assignments

none

Required Exams

Final Exam

Required Text

Shively: Power and Choice

Specific Course Activity Assignment or Assessment Requirements

none Final Exam