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SYLLABUS: P Sci. 100 [Introduction to Political Science)

1. David E. Ingersoll (2001). “The Philosophical Roots of Modern Ideology.” 3/E., Prentice Hall, Inc. New Jersey. ISBN # 0-13-109075-5

POLITICAL SCIENCE DEPARTMENT LEARNING OUTCPMES:

The learning outcomes of this course is that, at the end of the class, “successful students will be able to: identify and understand the principal political ideologies; understand the power of ideologies; understand how ideologies shape, and are shaped by, history, economics, and political cultures; understand how ideologies affect political and power relationships within and between countries around the globe.”

CAMPUS-WIDE LEARNING OUTCOMES:

“Critical Thinking: to recognize and use essential components of effective reasoning to evaluate information and to improve the quality of one’s own thinking.” “Upon completion of this course, the students should be able to: analyze historical, cultural, economic, and political factors that lead humans to develop and/or follow different ideologies; explain the conditions and reasons for the success and failures of political ideologies; articulate the differences between political ideologies; analyze real and hypothetical political ideologies; evaluate the political analyses of political commentators and political actors; conceive of and present theoretical solutions to contemporary political and economic problems; analyze and articulate how well ideologies fit in popular political ideology spectrums; articulate the ways basic political terminology (freedom, democracy, legitimacy, etc.), are defined differently in different cultural, historical, and political contexts.”

HOW TO MEASURE LEARNING OUTCOMES:

During the course of this quarter, the learning outcomes outlined above would be measured through the following methods:

TEACHING METHODOLODIES:

This class would be taught by using a variety of methodologies: lectures, videos, PowerPoint slide lecture materials, Internet, class discussions and debates. The reason for these conventional and unconventional methodologies is because every student is different and does, in fact, learn by a variety of teaching styles and methods. Many students prefer lectures; others may prefer debate, discussions, etc. Thus, this is the rationale for employing all the styles explained here. It is my sincere hope that you would be satisfied and happy at the end of this winter quarter with P. Sci. 100 course –I am aware that it is impossible to please all of you, but my goal is to please over 90% of the entire students taking this class.

IMPORTANT CLASS CONDUCT INFORMATION:

College environment is a place of learning and the classroom is a place where students and teachers intellectually rob minds, discuss, debate and it is where lectures are given. In a nutshell, the ultimate purpose of being in a classroom is to learn. In this sense, learning environment must be devoid of any form of distraction, such as the mundane things like the chewing of gum that makes noise and distracts others from learning. I hereby seek your cooperation and ask that you do not talk with your friends and/or other students while lectures are going on, or answer questions when you’re not asked or even suggest answers to anyone during quizzes and/or tests –these would be considered unwarranted and unacceptable behavior that could lead to your being asked to withdraw from the class, but this would be done after you have been warned to desists from such acts and/or behavior. Note also that the use of profanity words, foul and insensitive languages in the classroom would not be tolerated under any circumstances. Please be sure to put off your cell-phone as soon as you get into the classroom, or you may opt to leave it at vibration position in so far as the sound that comes from such vibration would not be heard by anyone. Frequently going in and out of the classroom for whatever reasons should be curtailed to the minimum, strictly limited to physiological needs, otherwise, it would be considered a distraction. The use of cell phones, such as allowing your cell to ring while lectures are going on would not be tolerated. Please consider putting your cell-phone in vibration mode in so far as the sound/noise coming from the vibration would not be heard by anyone. Please refer to “student’s handbook,” to understand behaviors that are not acceptable here at GRCC.

                P Sci: Introduction to Political Science 100 course would focus its attention to the study of the concepts and characteristics of contemporary and modern political ideologies that have shaped history, politics, government, economics and political cultures. Some of the topics that would be taught would include, the power of ideas, how people have been coerced by ideas, beliefs, symbols, and doctrines to the extent that they do not even realize the power of coercion. Other questions that this class would definitely answer would but, but not limited to why societies, and individual rationalize and evaluate “rightness” and “wrongness” and such impulses and emotions to certain actions, such as September 11, 2001 attack on America in the name of ideology –how can ideology in itself become a source of control and indoctrination over people and why has this survived over so long a period of time?

            We would also evaluate and analyze why communism collapsed, and why, in the first place, communism was established, and why communist had such condemnation for capitalism and vice versa? We would analyze and explain why modern conservatism, for example, does not incorporate much of classical liberalism, preferring instead to establish a distinct ideological tradition of its own, especially in the U.S.? We would ask such questions like: can modern capitalism ever be reformed?

ATTENDANCE: Please be aware that attendance is mandatory. Any student who misses 20% of the class attendance would be penalized by 20% of the grade.

STUDENT’S RESPONSIBILITY: Every student is responsible to read the textbook and the chapters covered in class. As you are aware, the instructor teaches the basic concepts and application of the topics as contained in each reading/chapters, and the students are required to independently complete the study of each topics/chapter discussed in class as contained in the syllabus.

                It is equally your responsibility to note the days and dates the tests have been set. If for your any reasons that is of your own making, you miss a test, a makeup test may be arranged, and it would be different from the test that was initially taken by your fellow students in class. All tests would be in class tests, taken during the normal class period.

TESTS & ASSIGNMENTS:

1. The first test would be on the topics, including discussions we have had in class for the period preceding the test date.
2. All subsequent tests would be cumulative, that is, starting from day one till the day of the second test and subsequent tests. Please be sure to take notes while lectures are going on. Try to read your notes in conjunction with your textbook
3. There would be a test review that would be posted in the website designed specifically for this class. It is your responsibility to check the website for vital information. Relevant information, including notices, test review, etc. would be posted on the Internet, at the website three to four days before the test is to be taken
4. The pattern of the tests would be in multiple-choice format. Every test would have a maximum of 100%. There may be group projects, which may involve grouping the students for the project(s). You would be informed of the project(s) as soon as possible
5. Please make sure you record down the dates for the tests and submission of research projects. The reason is because no further notice(s) will be given to remind you of these important dates. Make-up tests would not be considered, except in very extenuating circumstances, such as illness, or doctor’s appointment for which verifiable documentation would be provided to the instructor.
6. A research topic must be chosen from the topics herein below stated. They are: (1) “Alexis De Tocqueville, Why the Federal System is not Practicable for All Nations.” (2) Montesquieu: Laws Establishing Political Liberty in a Constitution.” (3) “The Republican revolution & Welfare Reform.” (4) James Madison: “The Effects of “Federalist Paper” N.10 on the American Government.” (5) “Edmund Burke: The Theory of Representation.” (6) “Term Limits & The Concept of Representation.” (7) “In Whose Interest NAFTA?” (8) “Frederick Douglas: What to a Slave Is The Fourth of July?” (9) “Ronald Reagan: The Case Against Big Government.”  (10)  “McCullough v. Maryland: A Case About Separation of Power.” (11) Newt Gingrich: Report on the Contract With America.”

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