I. General Information

1. Course Title:
Introduction to Political Science

2. Course Prefix & Number:
POLS 1430

3. Course Credits and Contact Hours:

Credits: 3

Lecture Hours: 3

Lab Hours: 0

4. Course Description:

This course is an introduction to the basic concepts, philosophies, institutions and processes of government and politics.  Topics of study include key concepts and facts, including the significant ideologies that influence modern governments.  Study will also include comparative governmental systems with special emphasis placed on political leadership, terrorism, and types of warfare between nations.  An examination of citizen participation in politics, political behavior, and political ideologies will also be included.

5. Placement Tests Required:

Accuplacer (specify test):

Reading College Level CLC or Reading College Level

Score:

6. Prerequisite Courses:

There are no prerequisites for this course.

9. Co-requisite Courses:

There are no corequisites for this course.

II. Transfer and Articulation

1. Course Equivalency - similar course from other regional institutions:

Ridgewater College, POLS 131 Introduction to Political Science, 3 credits
Minnesota State University Moorhead, POL 210 Introduction to Political Science, 3 credits
Inver Grove Community College, POLS 1101 Introduction to Political Science, 3 credits

III. Course Purpose

2. MN Transfer Curriculum (General Education) Courses - This course fulfills the following goal area(s) of the MN Transfer Curriculum:

• Goal 5 – History and the Social and Behavioral Sciences
• Goal 9 – Ethical and Civic Responsibility

IV. Learning Outcomes

1. College-Wide Outcomes

College-Wide Outcomes/Competencies	Students will be able to:
Demonstrate oral communication skills	Debate and discuss current political issues in society.
Demonstrate written communication skills	Write various chapter assignments and persuasive essays on current political issues in society.

2. Course Specific Outcomes - Students will be able to achieve the following measurable goals upon completion of the course:

• Identify ways to exercise the rights and responsibilities of citizenship. MnTC Goal 9
• Examine social and political institutions and processes across a range of historical periods and cultures. MnTC Goal 5
• Use and critique current and alternative political issues, systems and theories. MnTC Goal 5
• Develop and communicate alternative explanations for contemporary social and political issues. MnTC Goal 5
• Examine, articulate and apply their own ethical views. MnTC Goal 9
• Understand and apply core concepts of politics, rights and obligations, justice and liberty to specific issues. MnTC Goal 9
• Recognize the diversity of political motivations and interests of others. MnTC Goal 9
• Analyze and reflect on the ethical dimensions of legal, social, and scientific issues. MnTC Goal 9
• Employ the methods and data that historians and social and behavioral scientists use to investigate the human condition. MnTC Goal 5

V. Topical Outline

Listed below are major areas of content typically covered in this course.

1. Lecture Sessions

1. Introduction of the Study of Politics:Examine the basic concepts of politics which include power, order and justice.
• Develop a clear understanding of why we study politics, the purposes and methods thereof, and the motive for self-interest and the public interest in that study.
• Study comparative political systems, models and theories.
• Know and understand the differences among political systems: constitutional and representative democracy, authoritarian and totalitarian systems.
• Know and understand the meaning of parliamentary democracy with special study of the governments of Great Britain, France, Germany and Japan.
2. Politics by Civil Means:Examine the role of Citizenship, Leaders and Policies in the formulation of good and civil societies.
• Examine and define good citizenship among political cultures.
• Know and understand the influences of family, religion, schools and media on political socialization.
• Examine and define political participation and the political forces that influence citizen input in government, i.e. polls, elections and public opinion.
• Examine the role of political parties in influencing governmental policy.
• Examine the role of interest groups in influencing governmental policy.
• Political Leadership:Examine the qualities that make for the ideal leader and the exercise of strong leadership in nations.
• Examine Exemplary Leader Models, i.e. Lincoln, Churchill, Sadat and Betancourt.
• Examine American Demagogues Models, i.e. Aaron Burr, Theodore Bilbo, Huey Long, Joseph McCarthy and Tom DeLay.
• Examine the Principles, Priorities and Practices of Public Policy.
• Know and understand the fundamental issues that drive public policy, i.e. security, economics, equality and justice.
3. Examine politics in the modern world by violent means, i.e. War, Terrorism and Revolution.
• Know and understand the causes of modern Revolution.
• Know the differences between the American and French Revolutions.
• Know and understand the definition and origins of Terrorism in the modern world.
• Examine the role of governments in combating terrorism.
• Identify and describe acts of terrorism versus acts of war.
• Examine and define the types of warfare in the modern world, i.e. accidental war, nuclear war, total war and just wars.
• Examine the causes of war in the modern world.