Introduction to Political Science
|
Introduction to Political Science PS Spring 2009
Classroom: HU 115 |
William Primosch, MA Office Hours: 5:30-6:25 pm Wednesdays or by appointment william.primosch@montgomerycollege.edu Tel: |
COURSE
DESCRIPTION
The course will provide an
introduction to basic principles and concepts of political science. It will
also review the scope and methods of political science. Specific topics include: political thought
and the theoretical foundation of government; the nature and purposes of the
state; the organization and functions of government, including the main
governmental institutions; politics, elections, political parties and pressure
groups; an international comparison of political systems; political economy;
and international relations.
COURSE
OBJECTIVES
I
will communicate with all students in the class via the
STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS
Students with disabilities or any other
special needs that are authorized special accommodations should make an
appointment to discuss them with me as soon as possible. Please note that you
must see the Disability Support Services (Room CB 122) to receive authorization
for special accommodations.
VETERANS
If you are a veteran or on active or reserve status and are interested in information regarding opportunities, programs and/or services, please visit the Combat2College website at www.montgomerycollege.edu/combat2colleg/ and/or contact a Veterans Club faculty sponsor on your campus.
GRADING FORMULA:
1. Mini-Quizzes on readings (50% of final grade or approximately 4% for
each of 13)
2. Final Exam
(30%)
3. Course Essay (15%)
4. Class
Participation (5%) (plus 5-percent bonus
for excellence in class exercises)
CLASS FORMAT
The class format will include a combination of lectures with PowerPoint presentations and class discussions. Part of the class will be organized in “seminar style,” with students sitting in a circle and discussing key points in the readings and important theoretical and practical questions related to them. Students should complete all assigned readings prior to the class and come prepared to participate in the discussions.
There
will be 13 pre-discussion
mini-quizzes covering the readings on Feb.4-May 6. The mini-quizzes will count
for 50 percent of your grade or about 4 points for each quiz. To obtain
credit for the mini-quiz, you must submit before
each class a short written review identifying four key points in your readings for that class (i.e., at least
two-three sentences on each point). If
there is more than one reading, the mini-quiz should identify at least one key
point in each reading. Late submissions will be penalized. You should submit
your mini-quiz on time even if you are unable to attend class. All mini-quizzes
should be printed in hard copy or sent to me by email. Please include your name, the date and the
topic(s) on the header of the mini-quiz.
COURSE ESSAY:
Students
will have the choice of writing an essay on topics from either one of two
categories. The essays are expected to
be a minimum of 3-4 pages double-spaced with a bibliography in the
appropriate format at the end. A sample essay format is attached.
The
first category relates to political theory.
Students choosing this category should select one of 67 essays on
political theory (not including Chapter 7 U.S. Bill of Rights) in Ideals and
Ideologies: A Reader, 6th Edition, edited by Terence Ball and
Richard Dagger, Pearson Longman Press, 2006. Copies of the book will be on reserve in the
MC Rockville Library. The book’s table of contents is in your course folder.
Your essay should summarize key points in the essay related to our course. Approximately one page of your paper should
include your assessment of how the essay is relevant to
The
second category relates to comparative government. Students choosing this
category should select a foreign country and compare its political system with
that of the
Students
will have an opportunity on the final exam to answer an extra credit question
relating to their essay topic and receive bonus points.
FINAL EXAMINATION: The final examination will cover the main topics
and key issues discussed in class. The exam may consist of the following
formats: multiple-choice questions, short Identification answers, and short and
medium-length essay questions.
CLASS EXERCISES: There will be two class
exercises. The first exercise on April
1 will involve a simulated caucus of Democrats, Republicans and
Independents who will discuss the outcome of the 2008 elections and the policy
priorities of the new administration and Congress in 2009. The second exercise on April 29
involve a debate between two panels and questions from the audience on
political economy and whether the U.S. needs to move more toward European
social-welfare approaches to economic or social policy or shift back to more
traditional U.S. market-capitalist approaches.
More information on the exercises will be provided later in the
course. Students that participate
actively in the exercises receive up to 5 bonus points towards their
class participation grade.
CLASS ATTENDANCE
GRADING SCALE: A = 90-100
B = 80-89 C = 70-79 D = 60-69
F < 60
TEXTBOOK
Political Science: An Introduction, Tenth Edition, 2008, by Michael G.
Roskin, Robert L. Cord, James A. Medeiros & Walter S. Jones, (Pearson
Education, Inc.)
Articles on specific subjects and source documents will be provided to
supplement the textbook and will be part of the required readings.
GROUND RULES FOR PAPERS,
EXAMS
1. Writing assignments that are turned in past the deadline will be penalized with a substantial
reduction in grade unless there is a compelling reason.
Jan.
28-May 13, 2009
Wednesday, Jan. 26
Segment 1--Course Introduction and Requirements
Segment 2--The Science of Politics—Basic Concepts and Key
Determining Factors
Segment 3—Four Branches of Political Science: Political
Theory, American Government, Comparative Government and International Relations
Readings: Political
Science: An Introduction, Michael Roskin et al., p. 1-18; and Understanding
Politics: Ideas, Institutions and Issues, 7th Edition, Thomas
Magstadt, p. 14-17 (latter reading to be provided)
Key questions: Why is political science called
the “master science”? What does “sovereignty” and “legitimacy” mean in
political science? How do “biology,”
“culture,” human “rationality,” and human “irrationality” affect the formation
of political systems? What is the focus of each of the four main branches of
political science?
Wednesday, Feb. 4
Segment 4—Theories of Politics and Political Ideologies: The
Foundation of Political Systems and Their Expression in Government Policies
Part I (Mainstream Western Thought)
Key Questions: Who are important “classic”
theorists? What is a “normative”
approach to political science mean? What did theorist John Locke mean by
“social contract”? What do the important first two sentences of the second paragraph
of the Declaration of
Wednesday, Feb. 11
Segment 5—Theories of Politics and Political Ideologies: The
Foundation of Political Systems and Their Expression in Government Policies
Part II (Radical Ideologies)
Readings: Political Science: An Introduction, Michael
Roskin et al., p. 101-109; Readings on Communism, Fascism, Radical Nationalism
and Radical Islamism (to be provided)
Key Questions: What are some of the common
characteristics of radical ideologies? Who is Karl Marx and what are some of
the key beliefs of Marxists? What does “communism” refer to? In what countries did communism first take
root and become influential in world politics? What does “fascism” refer to and
which leaders/countries were its main proponents in the run-up to World War II
(1939-45)? How is “fascism” related to radical nationalism?
Wednesday, Feb.18
Segment 6—States, Governments & Constitutions—Organizing
the Political Process
Readings: Political Science: An Introduction, Michael
Roskin et al., p. 37-71; Articles I-IV of the U.S. Constitution and Excerpts
from the Constitution of the People’s Republic of China (latter texts to be
provided)
Key Questions: What are the characteristics of
a “state” (or “nation”) in political science? What critical issues must be
addressed in “nation-building”? Explain the four different approaches to the
functions of government: “laissez-faire” approach, welfare state, “statism” and
“socialism.” How does each approach affect the scope of “public policy”? What
is a constitution? What do Articles I-IV
of the
Wednesday, Feb.25
Segment 7—Structures of Government: Democracy,
Totalitarianism and Authoritarianism
Readings: Political Science: An Introduction, Michael
Roskin et al., p. 73-93; Structures of the Soviet Government Under Stalin, the
Current Chinese Government and Myanmar (Burma) (latter materials to be
provided)
Key Questions: What are common features of
“liberal democratic” governments? What is the difference between an “elitist”
model of democracy and “pluralist”
model? What are the features of a “totalitarian” form of government? In the
1900s which important countries experienced totalitarianism? What is an “authoritarian” government? Give examples. What are some of the non-democratic features
of the Soviet Union (Russian) government under Stalin, the current Chinese
Communist government and the current government of
Segment 8—The Public and Politics: Political Culture
Segment 9—The Public and Politics: The Formation and
Tracking of Public Opinion
Readings: Political Science: An Introduction, Michael
Roskin et al., p. 134- 152; Methods and Analysis of Public Opinion Polls on the
2008 Elections
Key Questions: What is “political culture”? What is the
connection between “civil society” and democracy? Give examples of political
“subcultures” in the
Wednesday, March 11
Segment 10—The Media’s Impact on Politics: Assessing the
Changing Landscape of Newspapers, Cable Television, Talk Radio and Internet
“News” & Blogs
Readings: Political Science: An Introduction, Michael
Roskin et al., p. 154-73; additional articles on “Talk Radio,” the “CNN
phenomenon,”
Key Questions: Identify different mass media
that have an impact on politics? What
kinds of Internet-based media are becoming more important in politics today?
What is meant by the “adversarial relationship” between government and the
media and why is this a controversial issue? Why was this an issue in the Vietnam
War (1959-75) and the 2nd
Wednesday, March 18
Wednesday, March 25
Segment 11--Group Participation in Politics: The Role of
Political Parties
Segment 12--Group Participation in Politics: The Role of Public Interest Groups
Key Questions: What are key functions of
political parties? What are the differences between a “dominant-party system,”
a “two-party system,” and a “multiparty system”? How does a typical “communist party” differ
from a typical “democratic party”? What are political “interest groups” and
what do they seek to do? What does
“corporatism” refer to with respect to European interest groups? Why are
interest group activities politically controversial? How do interest groups
influence political decisions?
Segment 12A—Class Exercise Part I-- Analysis of 2008
Presidential and Congressional Elections and Policy Priorities for the New Administration
and Congress. Small group discussions of
“Democrats,” “Republicans” and “Independents” on the 2008 elections and their
implications for policy
Wednesday, April 1
Segment 13--Elections:
How and Why People Select Their Governmental Representatives
“Key Questions: How does voter turnout in the
Segment 14—Class Exercise Part II--Analysis of 2008
Presidential and Congressional Elections and Policy Priorities for the New
Administration and Congress—Open class discussion by panels of “Democrats,”
“Republicans” and “Independents.”
Wednesday, April 8
Segment 15--Alternative Structures of Democratic Government:
America’s System of Federalism and Foreign Unitary Systems
Readings: Political Science: An Introduction, Michael
Roskin et al., p. 235-53
Segment 16--Alternative Structures of Democratic Government:
A Congressional System vs. a Parliamentary System
Readings: Political Science: An Introduction, Michael
Roskin et al., p. 256-276; debate in the British House of Commons;
Key Questions:
What is a “political institution” and why are political institutions
vital for effective government? What is the difference between an electoral
system with “single-member districts” (U.S. and Britain) and a system of
“proportional representation” (Germany, Italy and Sweden)? What is the difference between a “federal
system” of local-national government and “unitary system” (e.g., France)? What are advantages and disadvantages of
each? What is the difference between a
“presidential system” of government (U.S.) and a “parliamentary system”
(Britain and most of Europe)? How does the legislative process differ under the
two systems? What are the advantages and
disadvantages of each?
Wednesday, April 15
Segment 17--Differing Roles of Government Leaders: Presidents, Prime Ministers and “Leaders for
Life”
Readings: Political Science: An Introduction, Michael
Roskin et al., p. 277-296; readings on differing roles of British Prime
Minister Gordon Brown, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Japanese Prime
Minister Taro Aso (to be provided)
Segment 18--The Rule of Law: The Critical Role of Courts and
the Legal System
Readings: Political Science: An Introduction, Michael
Roskin et al., p. 319-336
Segment 18A--The U.S. Supreme Court: A Unique Institution
among Democratic Governments
Readings: To be provided
Key Questions: How do the powers of a U.S.
President and Prime Minister of a parliamentary government differ? What are the important roles of a
President/Prime Minister? How do the selection of a cabinet and the roles of
cabinet officials differ in the U.S. presidential system and parliamentary
systems? What is the essence of the
“rule of law” in the U.S. and genuinely democratic countries? What are the two
levels of courts in the U.S. federal system of government? What does the “adversarial” process mean in
the Anglo-American court system and what is the basic assumption in U.S. law
when someone is accused of wrongdoing? What important power does the U.S.
Supreme Court have (that most European courts don’t have)? In what broad areas has the Supreme Court
been particularly active since Earl Warren was Chief Justice in 1953?
Wednesday, April 22
Segment 19—Political Economy: Differing Levels of Government
Intervention from Free-Market Capitalism to a Managed Social-Welfare State,
Readings: Political
Science: An Introduction, Michael Roskin et al., p. 338-339 and 348-357;
and other readings on public policy in the U.S., Sweden, Egypt, India and China
(latter to be provided)
Key Questions: What does the study of
“political economy” focus on? What did the famous 1930s’ English economist John
Maynard Keynes recommend to counteract economic recessions and how is this
relevant to debates in the U.S. and European governments today? What are
“entitlement programs” in the U.S. federal budget? Give examples of major social welfare
programs? How does government
intervention in the economy and social welfare programs differ in the countries
noted above?
Wednesday, April 29
Segment 19A—Class Exercise—Class debate over free-market
capitalism and social welfare approaches to political economy
Readings: Background
materials to be provided
Segment 20—The Breakdown of State Institutions: Revolution and Warlordism
Readings: Political Science: An Introduction, Michael
Roskin et al., p. 359-78; readings on Somalia, Congo and Cuba (to be provided)
Key Questions: What are
some of the symptoms of a “breakdown” of a political system? Give an example of
“primordial” (ethnic/religious) violence, separatist violence, revolutionary
violence and coups (or “coup d’etat”).
How do “rising expectations” contribute to political violence in poor
countries? What are typical goals of a “revolution”? What stages do revolutions
typically go through? Why are “revolutionary” movements less popular today than
a generation ago?
Wednesday, May 6
Segment 21—International Relations: The Interaction of States and Peoples in the
Global Arena
Readings: Political Science: An Introduction, Michael
Roskin et al., p. 379-395
Segment 22—The Unique U.S. Role in International Relations
Segment 23—Globalization: Creation of a “Flat World” through
Falling Trade, Distance and Communications Barriers k
Readings: Political Science: An Introduction, Michael
Roskin et al., p. 400-407; and other IR and U.S. foreign policy readings (to be provided)
Key Questions: What is meant by the
“international system” in International Relations? What does “balance of power”
refer to in the period before World War II?
What does the “bipolar system” refer to?
Why is the current international system called a “unipolar system”? Why is the United States considered the sole
superpower and how does this give the U.S. a unique role in International
Relations? What does “globalization”
mean and how does this affect every American directly or indirectly? What does
“proliferation” refer to and why is this a special concern today in
International Relations? What are some
of the reasons that international economics and trade have become both
controversial and challenging in International Relations?
Review for Final Exam
Wednesday, May13
FINAL EXAM. NOTE: THE SCHEDULED TIME FOR THE FINAL EXAM
IS 7:15-9:15 PM
Sample
Research Paper Cover Page
TITLE OF
PAPER
BY
Introduction
to Political Science
PS 105
Thursday
Class
Date
FORMAT FOR
YOUR BIBLIOGRAPHY
BIBLIOGRAPHY
(In
alphabetical order by last name of author. Use this exact format—
Use this style with books
Goldstein, Joshua (2007). International relations, 8th
Ed. New York: Pearson Longman.
Use this style with articles
Huntington, Samuel (1988). The U.S.—Decline or renewal. Foreign
Affairs. 67(2),76-92. (Last numbers
are the volume of the journal and page numbers)
NOTE: Wikipedia is not an acceptable bibliographic
source for a research paper.
· Contact me well before the due date to discuss your ideas if you are having difficulty selecting a specific topic and writing your analysis.