POSC 110
Introduction to Politics
1. Catalog Entry
POSC 110
Introduction to Politics
Credit hours (3)
Course also may be delivered online
This course will introduce students to the concepts and methods of political by examining enduring questions and concerns of political life using political philosophy and literature. This course has been approved for Core Curriculum credit in Humanities.
2. Detailed Description of Course
This course will introduce and explore the concepts, institutional arrangements, and processes of political life by dealing with five major queries:
1) What is politics?
2) What is human nature and its relation to politics?
3) What is the nature of citizenship?
4) What is the relationship of power and justice in political life?
5) What are the different ways in which politics is studied?
The queries are set forth in a manner that allows the instructor to bring the perspective of each of the discipline's subfields (political theory, American government, comparative government, and international relations) to the examination of historical and contemporary problems of government and politics.
3. Detailed Description of Conduct of Course
POSC 110 will focus on the writings of major thinkers as they relate to the queries set forth in the detailed description of the course content. An emphasis will be placed on original texts in political philosophy and on literature. Teaching methods will include lectures, class discussion, group work, formal and informal writing projects, and various kinds of written examinations.
4. Goals and Objectives of the Course
Goals:
1) Introduce students to the perennial questions of politics
2) Explore some of the answers to those perennial questions
3) Assist students in thinking critically about the answers given by a variety
of political theorists
4) Introduce students the study of political science as a part of the Humanities
Learning Objectives:
1) Students will be able to construct an essay(s) that demonstrates the ability
to think critically.
2) Students will be able to analyze arguments concerning the place of the citizen
in political life.
3) Students will be able to explain political ideas and concepts.
4) Students will work with others in a shared process of inquiry concerning political
life, learning the
importance of civility and open-minded dialogue as a model for democratic
citizenship.
5) Students will be able to identify the personal and collective political values
that shape decisions in public,
professional, and private life, and assess the ethical implications of those
decisions.
Learning Outcomes for University Core B: Humanities and College Core B: Humanities
Students will:
1) Identify principles, concepts, or developments crucial to inquiry in a humanities
discipline.
2) Recognize how a method of inquiry in the humanities can be applied to a disciplinary
question.
5. Assessment Measures
Professors will assess attainment of the class objectives by a variety of techniques which could include quizzes, essay examinations, in-class writing activities, take-home writing projects, and a daily or weekly evaluation of class discussions.
Departmentally-developed questions will be used to evaluate assignments designed to measure student outcomes for the Core Curriculum credit in Humanities.
6. Other Course Information
None
Review and Approval
January 2000
May 2011
June 20, 2015