COURSE SYLLABUS - PS 104 (40) - Fall 2000
The World's Political Systems
First Year Experience section
Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays
2:00-2:50 PM
INSTRUCTOR: Prof.
Paul Petterson
OFFICE: 015
Diloreto Hall
OFFICE PHONE: 832-2969
E-MAIL: PETTERSONP@CCSU.EDU
OFFICE HOURS: Monday
9-10 AM
Wednesday 9-10 AM, 11 AM-12 PM
Friday 9-10 AM, 11 AM-12 PM
And by appointment
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course has two major learning objectives: to enable you to understand and use the major concepts and ideas of political science as a way of analyzing the world of politics, and to familiarize you with the political systems of a number of representative nations by comparing their political institutions, functions, behaviors, and policies. In essence, when you finish the course, you should know how to analyze and explain the nature of politics in a country or countries, using the concepts you will have learned.
During the semester we will study the political systems of seven different nations, as well as a regional governmental system, the European Union. In addition to political behavior and governmental institutions, we will examine and compare how each nation has dealt with six broad "policy" issues: globalization; internal conflict; democratization; economic liberalization; challenges to state authority; and environmental protection.
If this course has one bias, it is the idea that POLITICS MATTERS. Even if you feel that politics and government are partially (or totally) corrupt, you ignore it at your peril. Beyond this, my approach to teaching this class will be one that emphasizes questions, presenting both facts and arguments, and an openness to variant points of view.
The central question of the course is this: how have various nations answered the challenge of constituting and preserving a political community, and why have they made their particular choices? It is a foundational concept course for those of you who will go on to further courses or a major or minor in political science.
This course also meets one of
your General Education requirements for Social Scientific study. The purpose
of this "general education" is to give you an understanding of the major
areas of human knowledge, including the nature and behavior of human societies,
to enable you to be better citizens and persons.
As an FYE (First Year Experience)
offering, this course will also have an ongoing focus on learning skills
and adjustment to college life. In practical terms, this will include the
following:
1. One on
one meeting with the instructor
2. Ongoing
attention to important college skills:
-textbook reading
-taking notes from readings and lectures
-writing academic essays
-taking essay exams
-presenting your views in oral discussions
-library and computer resource usage
-time management
It is my hope that you will find
this course enlightening, empowering, and enjoyable. Politics, both at
home or abroad, will impact on your life no matter what career or community
you choose - this course should provide tools for understanding the nature
of political systems and public policies.
TEXTS (Available at The Other Bookstore and Campus Bookstore)
Charles Hauss. Comparative
Politics: Domestic Responses To Global
Challenges
(Wadsworth, 2000).
The major
overview text for the semester, with case examinations of a
variety of
national political systems.
Rebecca Davis, editor. Stand!
Comparative Politics (Coursewise, 1999).
A collection
of thematic articles on policy issues and normative
debates about
politics. The text also has connections to a variety
of Internet
sites for articles and information on politics.
You will be expected to stay current with the assigned readings, as they will be discussed in class and covered by quizzes and exams. The "critical thinking" questions in Hauss are helpful study aids.
Since a healthy polity depends
on an informed citizenry, I also expect you to keep up with the news by
reading the front page stories in the New York Times, The Hartford Courant,
or the TV or radio news most accessible to you. I will be using current
events in lectures, so the more informed you stay, the better.
COURSE GRADING AND REQUIREMENTS
Periodic Quizzes on readings
10% of grade
In Class Exam - October 6
20% of grade
Library Research Essay (5 pp.)
20% of grade
Due November 17
In Class Exam - November 6
20% of grade
Final Exam -December 18, 2 PM
20% of grade
Class Participation
10% of grade
Quizzes will cover an assigned
reading for the week, and will be a combination of short answer, identification,
and multiple choice. Exams will be essay style, supplemented by short answer
identifications, and will cover both lecture material and assigned readings.
The library research essay will involve basic research to familiarize you
with the resources of the Burritt Library at Central. I encourage you to
share an outline of your research essay with me before the final draft
so I can give you helpful advice. More information will follow on this
assignment.
NOTE the following CAREFULLY:
1.ALL WORK MUST BE TURNED IN
ON TIME. Late work will be penalized. For UNAVOIDABLE emergencies or conflicts,
please notify me IN ADVANCE;ALL exceptions are at the instructor's discretion.
Future employers will hold you to the same standards.
2. I expect and encourage class participation. Students should complete assigned readings on time and be prepared to discuss them and respond to questions from the instructor. All questions and opinions are welcomed; please be courteous to all viewpoints presented. Don't hesitate to ask questions if something is unclear.
3. ATTENDANCE: Regular attendance is expected and will be taken. Please arrive for class on time, as a courtesy to the instructor and your fellow students. Consistently late attendance or frequent absences WILL be noted and WILL impact your grade. In addition, the classroom is not the place to conduct private conversations - your attention in class should be on the class.
4. SPECIAL NEEDS: Students who need course adaptations or accommodations because of documented disability, or who have emergency medical needs, or who need special arrangements in case the building must be evacuated should see me as soon as possible.
5. PLAGIARISM: The University
specifically prohibits copying another person's work and claiming that
it is yours. This includes copying on an exam and copying someone else's
work in a research paper. See your Student Handbook for more information.
Such behavior can have severe consequences for your status at the University.
| OUTLINE OF LECTURES AND READING ASSIGNMENTS | |
| 9/6,8,11 | Introduction
and Overview of Course
Studying Politics: Why? How? Issues In Comparing Political Systems Adjusting To College Studying With a Textbook: Reading and Note-Taking Readings: Hauss, Chapter 1 Davis, Section 1 |
| 9/13,15,18 | The American
Political System
Time Management in College Taking Lecture Notes Readings: Hauss, Chapter 2 |
| 9/20, 22, 25,27 | European
Democracy: The Politics of Germany
Readings: Hauss, Chapters 3, 6 Davis, Reading 7 (in Section 2) QUIZ: 9/20 on Hauss, Chapter 6 |
| 9/29;10/2,4 | Regional
Government: The European Union
Taking An Essay Exam: A How-To Readings: Hauss, Chapter 7 Davis, Readings 15-16 (in Section 3) |
| 10/6 | IN CLASS EXAM |
| 10/9, 11, 13,16 | The Politics
of Russia
Communism And Transition To - Democracy? Writing A Research Essay Readings: Hauss, Chapters 9-10 Davis, Reading 14 (in Section 2) |
| 10/18,20,23,25 | Politics
In China: Capitalist Communism
Speaking Out: Oral Communications Skills Readings:Hauss,Chapter11 Davis, Readings 20-24, 33 QUIZ: 10/20 on Davis 33 |
| 10/27,30;11/1,3 | Politics
In India: Developing Democracy
Readings:Hauss, Chapters 12-13 Davis, Readings 10, 12 (Section 2) |
| 11/6 | IN CLASS EXAM |
| 11/8,10,13,15 ,17 | The Politics
Of South Africa
The Challenge of Reconstituting A Nation African Political Divisions Readings: Hauss, Chapter 15 Davis, Readings 25-27 QUIZ: 11/13 on Hauss, Chapter 15 LIBRARY RESEARCH ESSAY DUE 11/17 |
| 11/20, 27, 29;12/1,4 | Politics
In Mexico
Indigeneous Peoples In The Americas Readings: Hauss, Chapter 16 Davis, Readings 8, 9 |
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| 12/6,8,11,13,15 | Conclusion:
Democracy And Globalization:
The Future of Politics in the 21st Century Readings: Hauss, Chapter 17 Davis, Section 4 QUIZ: 12/6 on Hauss, Chapter 17 |
| 12/18, 2 PM | FINAL EXAM |
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