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

Riverside Community College District
Integrated Course Outline of Record

Political Science 3


COURSE DESCRIPTION
3 Intro Political Sci Units: 3.00
 
Prerequisite(s): None.

Advisory: Qualification for English 1A
An introduction to the major concepts, theories, and issues common to the study of Political Science. The course will include introductions to the sub-fields of American Government, Comparative Politics, International Relations, Political Economy, and Political Theory. 54 hours lecture.
 
SHORT DESCRIPTION FOR CLASS SCHEDULE
An introduction to the discipline of Political Science and its various subfields.
 
ADVISORY ENTRY SKILLS
Before entering the course, students will be able to:
  1. critically discuss and analyze primary and secondary texts, recognizing key ideas and responding in both oral and written form;

  2. analyze, synthesize, and evaluate concepts studied in primary and secondary texts using intermediate to advanced critical thinking skills;

  3. compose and develop unified, stylistically competent writing assignments and adjust writing to the target audience with intermediate to advanced skill.
STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
 Upon successful completion of the course, students should be able to:

1.   Describe, analyze, and evaluate political concepts, theories, and
      institutions.

2.   Objectively explain critical issues in politics and analyze their own
      opinions concerning government and current political issues.

3.   Identify key concepts linking Political Science to other Social
      Sciences.

4.   Use research tools including scholarly readings, current media and
       the Internet

5.   Demonstrate critical thinking ability including the analysis and
      evaluation of data, the understanding of alternative explanations
      and the forming of conclusions from the data presented.
 
COURSE CONTENT
  TOPICS
 
  1. Focus of class readings may be chronological, topical-thematic, disciplinary, and/or based on case studies.  The course should cover most of the following topics:
    Local, national and international sources of political information (newspapers, radio, television, internet). What is Politics? What is the state? The sources of social power. Left, Right and Center.
  2. Fundamental features of national identity. Ethnic versus Civic forms of nationalism.  Dictatorship versus democracy. Plato’s critique of democracy.  Authoritarian and totalitarian dictatorships. Social origins of democracy and dictatorship. How democratic is the US Constitution?
  3. Comparing and contrasting classical and modern liberalism and conservatism. The pros and cons of federalism.
  4. Capitalism, Socialism and Feminism. Fundamental features of modes of productions. The political economy of modern ideologies. The social institutions that reinforce “patriarchy”.
  5. Promotional and sectional interest groups.
  6. Functions of political parties. The changing contours of party politics.
  7. Characteristics of the modern media. Does it “manufacture consent” for the elites or is there a general “liberal bias”? What are the major concerns of democratic societies with regard to the news media?
  8. Types of political learning. Agents of political socialization. The value of political culture. Making sense of public opinion. Examples of public opinion altering public policy.
  9. Why do so few citizens vote? Different kinds of political participation and activism. Comparing electoral systems. 
  10. Legislatures, executives, bureaucracies, judiciaries.
  11. Do corporations rule states? Economic, environmental, welfare and education policy. The political economy of public policy.
  12. The international political system: actors, structures and issues. US foreign policy in a world of interdependent challenges. The rise of Islamism. Why was the US attacked on September 11, 2001? Are we witnessing a new US imperialism?

    
Students are also assigned reading, writing and other outside assignments equivalent to two hours per one hour lecture.

 
 
METHODS OF INSTRUCTION
 Methods of instruction used to achieve student learning outcomes may include, but are not limited to:

  • Presentation of lectures and discussions on the institutions and processes of politics in various contexts in order for students to understand relationships of power, political systems, and forms of political participation. 
  • Showing films, videos, slides, distributing handouts, and/or using electronic or computer-based media in order to reinforce understanding of concepts related to political principles, institutions, policies, and issues.
  • Guest lecturers invited to class to discuss various topics related to the course.
  • Develop and assign class exercises such as reports and papers in order to reinforce understanding of politics in its various forms.
  • Cooperative/collaborative learning tasks, including pair and small group discussions and projects, in order to develop and reinforce course content and topics.
  • Conduct individual conferences in order to evaluate and advise students on original writing and other projects.
  • Assigned readings in order to reinforce and supplement course content.
  • Computer-assisted and/or web-enhanced instruction which reinforces and develops course content.

 
 
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:

  • A minimum of two significant pieces of formal academic writing beyond quizzes or examinations is required.
  • Oral reports/presentations/performances designed to evaluate students’ understanding of the topics, issues, and theories commonly employed in the study of Politics.
  • Written reports/presentations/performances designed to demonstrate students’ understanding of the course content.
  • Quizzes/examinations designed to assess students’ ability to recall, critically analyze and apply key concepts employed in the study of Politics.
  • Written assignments designed to demonstrate successful understanding and application of basic concepts and course content.
  • Class, group, and individual projects designed to assess students’ understanding of the key topics, issues and concepts employed in the course.
  • Participation and regular attendance as required by instructor to ensure progress in mastering course content.
  • Final examination designed to assess students’ mastery of the essential concepts explored in the course.
  • Internet assignments designed to reinforce and elaborate on course content.
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:

  • Goodin, Robert . A New Handbook of Political Science. any: Oxford University Press, 1998.
  • Heywood, Andrew. Politics. Palgrave: Macmillan, 2002.
  • Jacobson, John. Introduction to Political Science. 2 ed. any: Wadsworth/Thompson, 2004.
  • Roskin, Michael et al. Political Science: An Introduction. 8 ed. any: Prentice Hall, 2002.
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