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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "PL 101"
COURSE NAME: "Introduction to Political Science"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Spring 2020
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Costanza Hermanin
EMAIL: [email protected]
 HOURS: MW 11:30 AM 12:45 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES:
OFFICE HOURS:
COURSE DESCRIPTION:

The course introduces students to basic concepts, methods, and theories of the scientific study of politics. In so doing, the class provides a systematic understanding of the foundations of government, political systems, and political behavior. The course familiarizes students with the functioning of political institutions and political power, constitutional frameworks and procedures to obtain public legitimacy, and approaches to different fields, problems and issues of—domestic, comparative, and global—politics in the 21st century.
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
This course is designed to introduce students to the scientific method in the social sciences and in political science more specifically. It will touch upon a basic set of concepts and classifications, which political scientists use to analyze differences and similitudes in the present and future political life of any given political entity. From the onset students will learn how power is studied and practiced and gain analytical tools to better understand the challenges in the contemporary world, included through concrete case studies related to the nwes. The course will coverthe fundamental theoretical approaches in political science. Among many important questions the course will examine are the present evolution of democracy, electoral and party systems, public policy on environmental issues and the information society, political economy, social movements, and globalization.   
LEARNING OUTCOMES:

From the onset students will learn the key issues in the current debate. Students will enrich their knowledge and skills in a way that will help them taking part in discussions about some of the most salient topics of our times and becoming more empowered and informed citizens. 

 
TEXTBOOK:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberCommentsFormatLocal BookstoreOnline Purchase
Political Science: An Introduction, Global EditionMichael G. Roskin Robert L. Cord James A. Medeiros Walter S. JonesPearson International1292156244  Please buy the latest edition (17th). Copies can be ordered online or at the Almost Corner Bookstore. E-book version is also accepted   
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
Class attendance and participationClass Attendance and Participation: Regular attendance and active participation in class is required. Attend-ance requirements: A maximum of three absences are allowed throughout the semester. Any additional ab-sence will result in a penalization of one grade level (e.g.: from B+ to B for five absences, B+ to B- for six ab-sences, B+ to C+ for seven absences, etc.). Two latenesses count for one absence. Attendance will be taken at the beginning of each class by calling students’ names. Students not answering will be marked absent. Stu-dents arrived late will ask the instructor to be marked late at the end of the class, after which attendance rec-ords will not be modified. Use of Computers in class: The use of personal computers and technological devic-es in class is not permitted except for taking notes, or contributing to class activity during designated times. Students not respecting the rule will be penalized by getting no points in the Class Participation requirement (worth 10% of the final grade). Recording and filming in class is not allowed.10
Class presentationsIn-class Presentation(s): Students are required to give a short individual presentation on a topic approved by the instructor and related to the class program, and an individual press review of daily news relevant to the topics addressed in the course. The 10' presentation related to the class programme will be well-organized, concise, and include audiovisual and electronic materials. The student and the professor will agree on a title for the presentation. A draft outline of the presentation must be submitted to the instructor before presenting in class. An electronic version of the presentation must be sent to the instructor on the day of the relevant class, distributed to the class and/or uploaded in a shared drive. No materials will be accepted past the deadline.15
Mid Term ExamThe exam consist of ten questions concerning the part of the programme covered in the first part of the course and news related to the course15
Final ProjectFinal Project: The final paper (3,000 words) will be on any topic of the student’s choice related to the class program. The topic should be precisely defined and worthy of investigation. An electronic version of the paper must be sent to the instructor two weeks before the end of the course. No materials will be accepted past the deadline. To produce the paper, students will receive further instructions in class. During the semester, students will show the instructor their work in progress and receive checks. Reference: In order to produce their final papers, students will keep a portfolio of research materials during the semester. The portfolio will be shared with, and evaluated by the instructor. The production of the final paper is a work in progress during the semester. The portfolio and the paper project are progressive steps toward completion of the final paper. A portfolio containing samples of reference materials must be attached to the final project.30
Final examThe exam consists of two parts of equal value. The first part is an essay related to a book selected in agreement with the instructor. The second part of the exam consists of ten short questions concerning concepts, news and case studies addressed in the course.30

-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
AWork of this quality directly addresses the question or problem raised and provides a coherent argument displaying an extensive knowledge of relevant information or content. This type of work demonstrates the ability to critically evaluate concepts and theory and has an element of novelty and originality. There is clear evidence of a significant amount of reading beyond that required for the course.
BThis is highly competent level of performance and directly addresses the question or problem raised.There is a demonstration of some ability to critically evaluatetheory and concepts and relate them to practice. Discussions reflect the student’s own arguments and are not simply a repetition of standard lecture andreference material. The work does not suffer from any major errors or omissions and provides evidence of reading beyond the required assignments.
CThis is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings.
DThis level of performances demonstrates that the student lacks a coherent grasp of the material.Important information is omitted and irrelevant points included.In effect, the student has barely done enough to persuade the instructor that s/he should not fail.
FThis work fails to show any knowledge or understanding of the issues raised in the question. Most of the material in the answer is irrelevant.
-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:
ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS AND EXAMINATION POLICY 
You cannot make-up a major exam (midterm or final) without the permission of the Dean’s Office. The Dean’s Office will grant such permission only when the absence was caused by a serious impediment, such as a documented illness, hospitalization or death in the immediate family (in which you must attend the funeral) or other situations of similar gravity. Absences due to other meaningful conflicts, such as job interviews, family celebrations, travel difficulties, student misunderstandings or personal convenience, will not be excused. Students who will be absent from a major exam must notify the Dean’s Office prior to that exam. Absences from class due to the observance of a religious holiday will normally be excused. Individual students who will have to miss class to observe a religious holiday should notify the instructor by the end of the Add/Drop period to make prior arrangements for making up any work that will be missed. The final exam period runs until ____________
ACADEMIC HONESTY
As stated in the university catalog, any student who commits an act of academic dishonesty will receive a failing grade on the work in which the dishonesty occurred. In addition, acts of academic dishonesty, irrespective of the weight of the assignment, may result in the student receiving a failing grade in the course. Instances of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Academic Affairs. A student who is reported twice for academic dishonesty is subject to summary dismissal from the University. In such a case, the Academic Council will then make a recommendation to the President, who will make the final decision.
STUDENTS WITH LEARNING OR OTHER DISABILITIES
John Cabot University does not discriminate on the basis of disability or handicap. Students with approved accommodations must inform their professors at the beginning of the term. Please see the website for the complete policy.
SCHEDULE

* readings may be changed or added according to class interest and progress

 

WEEK 1 Introducing Political Science

Session 1  The scientific method in the social sciences

Session 2 The main theory approaches in political science

 

WEEK 2 State institutions

Session 3  The concepts of nation and government

Session 4 Constitutions and rights 

 

WEEK 3 Democracy and its evolution

Session 5  The basic elements of democracy

Session 6 Democratic decay and populism

WEEK 4 Political cultures and ideology

Session 7 Liberalism, Conservatorism, Socialism, Communism, Nationalism and Fascism

Session 8 Political culture


WEEK 5 Public Opinion and the Media

Session 9 Polling and shaping public opinion

Session 10 Political communication

 

WEEK 6 Civil Society

Session 11 (October 7) Interest groups and other stakeholders

Session 12 (October 9) Social Movements

 

WEEK 7 Political Competition

Session 13 Political parties

Session 14 Electoral systems

WEEK 8 Governments and their Functions

Session 15 Institutions of forms of State

Session 16 The legislative power


WEEK 9 Governments and their Functions (2)

Session 17 The executive power

Session 18 The administration


WEEK 10 Governments and their Functions (3)

Session 19    The judicial power

Session 20   Balancing Freedom and Equality


WEEK 11 Political Economy

Session 21 The basic elements of political economy

Session 22 Political-economic systems


WEEK 12 Violence, Revolution, Nationalism

Session 23 Challenges to State sovereignty 

Session 24 Nationalism and Ethnonationalism

 

WEEK 13 World Politics

Session 25 International Relations

Session 26 Globalisation

WEEK 14 Contemporary Public Policy

Session 27 Public Policy and the Environment

Session 28 Public Policy and the Internet