This course examines the world of politics. First, we encounter many of the basic concepts used by political scientists in understanding world events such as power, authority, and equality. Next we explore the institutions common to most governments, including legislatures, executives and courts. Finally, we deal with topics such as political participation, parties and elections that help us understand how individuals can affect the political process.
The objective of the course is to prepare students for lifelong political participation and observation. Students are encouraged during the semester to follow real-world political events through regular reading of daily newspapers. Evaluation is based on a variety of short writing assignments, three tests, and class participation.
Coe's Political Science Department offers one or more sections of Introduction to Politics each semester, taught by various professors including me. The course is required for the Political Science major or minor. It counts in the Non-Western Perspectives category to satisfy General Education requirements and may also be counted as one of the social science classes to satisfy General Education requirements.
Country Information Studies
Journals and Reference
Rod Hague and Martin Harrop, Political Science: A Comparative
Introduction (Palgrave-Macmillan, 4th ed, 2004)
Michael
K. LeRoy, Comparative
Politics: An Introduction Using ExplorIt
(Thomson-Wadsworth, 3rd ed, 2005)
COURSE OUTLINE AND READING LIST
I. CONCEPTS IN THE STUDY OF POLITICS
Political concepts: HH 1
The global context of politics: HH 2
Political power and state capacity: LeRoy 2
What determines wealth and poverty?: LeRoy 10
Democratic states: HH 3
Authoritarian states: HH 4
Post-Communist states: LeRoy 8
Democratic transition in post-Communist states: LeRoy 9
II. POLITICAL INSTITUTIONS
Constitutions and the judiciary: HH 12
National-local relations: HH 13
Legislatures: HH 14
Executives: HH 15
Bureaucracy: HH 16
Policy making: HH 17
III. LINKS BETWEEN SOCIETY AND STATE
Political culture: HH 6
Democratic political culture: LeRoy 4
Political culture in Nigeria and South Africa: LeRoy 14
Political communication: HH 7
Political participation: HH 8
Democratic political participation: LeRoy 5
Voting and elections: HH 9
Democratic electoral systems: LeRoy 6
Interest groups and social movements: HH 10
Political parties: HH 11
Parties in Europe: LeRoy 7
Last modified: 1/4/10
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