Discipline: Political Science Degree Credit  [X]
Non Credit  [ ]
Nondegree Credit  [ ]
Comm Service  [ ]
 

Riverside Community College District
Integrated Course Outline of Record

Political Science 2H


COURSE DESCRIPTION
2H Honors Comparative Politics Units: 3.00
 
Prerequisite(s): None.

Advisory: Qualification for ENG-1A.
Limitation on Enrollment: Enrollment in the Honors Program.
A comparative study of selected European, Asian, African, Latin American and Middle Eastern political systems. Concerned with broadening and deepening the student’s understanding of the nature and variety of political systems. Course includes a study of institutions and issues of various countries. Students may not receive credit for both POL-2 and POL-2H. 54 hours lecture.
 
SHORT DESCRIPTION FOR CLASS SCHEDULE
Offers students in the Honors Program an enriched comparison of political systems and issues encompassing many regions and nations.
 
ADVISORY ENTRY SKILLS
None.

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
 Upon successful completion of the course, students should be able to:

1.   Examine, analyze, and compare the political systems of certain key
      foreign governments or areas.

2.   Help develop student skill in reading, discussing, and analyzing
      current political materials and global situations through primary
      source material so the student can better analyze and understand
      comparative issues concerning governments.

3.   Analyze the institution and political systems of other states

      

4.   Analysis and evaluation of data in order to understand alternative
      explanations and form conclusions.
 
COURSE CONTENT
  TOPICS
 
  1. Ethnicity, sustainable development
  2. The political environment
  3. Women and development
  4. Political parties and elections
  5. Political Institutions
  6. Mass movements
  7. Globalization and imperialism
 
METHODS OF INSTRUCTION
 Methods of instruction used to achieve student learning outcomes may include, but are not limited to:

  • Assigned reading, writing, and reports
  • Discussion
  • Cooperative learning tasks
  • Guest lectures
  • Internet assignments
  • Class lectures/discussions/demonstrations
  • Videos/films/slides/audiotapes
  • Small group activity/discussions
  • Class exercises
  • Reports and papers
  • Handouts
  • Field trips
  • Simulations

 
 
METHODS OF EVALUATION
 Students will be evaluated for progress in and/or mastery of learning outcomes by methods of evaluation which may include, but are not limited to:

  • Writing assignments will be extensively used including a minimum of two significant submissions of formal academic papers.           
  • The Honors section will place special attention on activities that require critical, dialectical thinking and student initiative, preparation and participation, including class discussions, presentations, peer review of writing, research and group work.
  • Also, students will be evaluated for mastery of learning objectives by methods of evaluation which may include, but are not limited to:
    • A minimum of two essay examinations
    • Oral and/or written individual reports
    • Participation/regular attendance
    • Final exam/quizzes/examinations
    • Oral reports/presentations/online discussions
    • Written reports/presentations
    • Written assignments
    • Class/group/individual projects

 
ASSIGNMENTS

Required Reading Assignments


Required Writing Assignments


Other Outside-of-Class Assignments
 
COURSE MATERIALS
 All materials used in this course will be periodically reviewed to ensure that they are appropriate for college level instruction. Possible texts include:

  • Chilcote, Ronald. Theories of Comparative Politics. Boulder: Westview Press, 1982.
  • Skocpol, Theda. States and Social Relations. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1979.
  • Said, Edward. Culture and Imperialism. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1993.
  • Wood, Ellen Meiksins. The Retreat from Class. London: Verso, 1986.
  • Weber, Max. Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism. New York: Scribner’s, 1958.
  • Sweezy, Paul. The Theory of Capitalist Development. New York: Monthly Review Press, 1942.
  • Poulantzas, Nicos. Political Power and Social Classes. London: New Left Books, 1973.
  • Przeworski, Adam. Capitalism and Social Democracy. New York: Cambridge University Press, 1985.
  • Miliband, Ralph. The State in Capitalist Society. New York: Basic Books, 1969.
  • Kennedy, Paul. Rise and Fall of Great Powers. New York: Random House, 1987.
  • Lenin, V.I.. State and Revolution. New York: International Publishers, 1932.
  • Marx, Karl. Capital: A Critique of Political Economy. New York: International Publishers, 1967.
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