4/28/2024 9:11:29 AM	POLS 11 Course Outline as of Fall 2024	New Course (First Version)
CATALOG INFORMATION
Discipline and Nbr:  POLS 11	Title:  INTRO TO FUND OF POL SCI
Full Title:  Introduction to the Fundamentals of Political Science
Last Reviewed:5/8/2023

Units		Course Hours per Week			Nbr of Weeks	Course Hours Total
Maximum	3.00	Lecture Scheduled	3.00		17.5 max.	Lecture Scheduled	52.50
Minimum	3.00	Lab Scheduled	0		6 min.	Lab Scheduled	0
		Contact DHR	0			Contact DHR	0
		Contact Total	3.00			Contact Total	52.50
		Non-contact DHR	0			Non-contact DHR Total	0

Total Out of Class Hours:  105.00

Total Student Learning Hours: 157.50

Title 5 Category:  AA Degree Applicable
Grading:  Grade or P/NP
Repeatability:  00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP
Also Listed As: 
Formerly: 

Catalog Description:

In this course, students will learn about basic political concepts, political ideologies, political systems, and subfields within political science.

Prerequisites/Corequisites:

Recommended Preparation:
Eligibility for ENGL 1A or equivalent

Limits on Enrollment:

Schedule of Classes Information
Description:

In this course, students will learn about basic political concepts, political ideologies, political systems, and subfields within political science.

(Grade or P/NP)
Prerequisites:
Recommended:Eligibility for ENGL 1A or equivalent
Limits on Enrollment:
Transfer Credit:CSU;UC.
Repeatability:00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP

ARTICULATION, MAJOR, and CERTIFICATION INFORMATION

Associate Degree:		Effective:		Inactive:
Area:
CSU GE:	Transfer Area			Effective:	Inactive:
IGETC:	Transfer Area			Effective:	Inactive:
CSU Transfer:	Transferable	Effective:	Fall 2024	Inactive:
UC Transfer:	Transferable	Effective:	Fall 2024	Inactive:
C-ID:

Certificate/Major Applicable: Major Applicable Course

COURSE CONTENT

Student Learning Outcomes:
At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:

1. Explain the development of political science and its subfields.

2. Identify key concepts in political science.

3. Evaluate and analyze normative and empirical approaches.

4. Identify and analyze basic political systems and their differences.

 

Objectives:

At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:

1. Discuss the development of political science and its subfields.

2. Effectively communicate the key concepts in political science.

3. Analyze normative and empirical approaches.

4. Analyze political behavior in international affairs.

5. Discuss the impact of ethnic, cultural, domestic policitical arrangements, and economic diversity on political issues and policy.

6. Evaluate ethical issues and conflicts inherent to political issues.

Topics and Scope

I. What is Political Science?

    A. The origins of the field

    B. The fields of study

         1. Political Theory

         2. Comparative Politics

         3. International Relations

II. Key Concepts

    A. Power

    B. States

     C. Nations

III. Methodological Approaches

    A. Traditional approaches

    B. Behavioral approach

    C. The scientific method

    D. Quantitative versus qualitative approaches

IV. Political Theory and Ideologies

    A. Liberalism

    B. Conservativism

    C. Totalitarianism and fascism

    D. Socialism

    E. Feminism

    F. Environmentalism

V. Comparative Politics

    A. Democratic versus authoritarian regimes

    B. Institutions

         1. Constitutions

         2. Executives

         3. Legislatures

         4. Electoral systems

     C. Civil society

VI. International Relations

    A. Theories

    B. Actors

         1. States

         2. Intergovernmental organizations

         3. Non-governmental organizations

    C. International political economy

Assignments:

1. Weekly reading (30-50 pages)

2. Out-of-class writing assignments (2,000-4,000 words total) such as:

     A. Analytical essays

    B. Research or reaction papers

    C. Discussion posts

3. Essay exams including the final exam (2-4)

4. Quizzes

5. Class attendance, note taking, and participation is expected (ungraded)

6. Group assignments, presentations, and/or debates (optional)

Methods of Evaluation/Basis of Grade.

Writing: Assessment tools that demonstrate writing skill and/or require students to select, organize and explain ideas in writing.		Writing 30 - 50%
Writing assignments
Problem solving: Assessment tools, other than exams, that demonstrate competence in computational or non-computational problem solving skills.		Problem Solving 0 - 0%
None
Skill Demonstrations: All skill-based and physical demonstrations used for assessment purposes including skill performance exams.		Skill Demonstrations 0 - 0%
None
Exams: All forms of formal testing, other than skill performance exams.		Exams 40 - 60%
Essay exams; quizzes
Other: Includes any assessment tools that do not logically fit into the above categories.		Other Category 0 - 15%
Group assignments, presentations, and/or debates

Representative Textbooks and Materials:

The Challenge of Politics: An Introduction to Political Science. 7th ed. Simon, Douglas W. and Romance, Joseph. CQ Press. 2016 (classic).

Introduction to Political Science. 1st ed. Parsons, Craig. Pearson. 2016 (classic).

Power and Choice: An Introduction to Political Science. 16th ed. Shively, Phillips W. and Schultz, David. Rowan & Littlefield Publishers. 2022.

Introduction to Politics. 4th ed. Garner, Robert, Ferdinand, Peter, and Lawson, Stephanie. Oxford University Press. 2020.

Politics. 5th ed. Heywood, Andrew. Bloomsbury Academic. 2019.

Why Politics Matters: An Introduction to Political Science. 3rd ed. Dooley, Kevin L. and Patten, Joseph N. 2020.

The Essential of Political Analysis. 6th ed. Pollock, Philip H. and Edward, Clayton. CQ Press. 2019.

Print PDF