Goal: This course is a survey introduction to the broad topics and sub-fields of contemporary academic political science. It is designed to give you a general familiarity with the field and sub-fields, such that as you move into advanced classes, you will have a clearer idea of how specific topics and subjects “fit into” a larger, more comprehensive understanding of “politics” as a generic human phenomenon. Our goal is to begin your process of learning how societies deal with fundamental problems of social life through politics.

“Politics” is NOT an option: The underlying assumption of this course is that while human societies differ and evolve, they face – again and again – similar kinds of problems. We can usefully label the nature of the problems and the manners in which societies cope – whatever the differences in detail –as “human politics”.

“Political Science,” not “Politics”: We are not really concerned with specific events, policies or controversies, as such! For example, we will not be discussing whether the War in Iraq was lawful; or, whether it was a good foreign policy choice; or, whether Senator Kerry could have run a better campaign in 2004; or, whether President Clinton’s national health insurance program should have passed; or, whether the U.S. really needs Social Security. These are “questions of politics,” and as such they are grist for our mill: the things to be studied closely and explained convincingly.

Instead, “questions of political science” are concerned with:

a)      Question Number One: What makes something “a political phenomenon” and therefore appropriately studied by academic political science?

b)      Question Number Two: What theories exist to explain this political phenomenon? What have political scientists articulated as the theoretical concepts and categories with which to explain a political phenomenon? Do these theories offer (1) empirical explanations, and thereby (2) a means to empirically test the usefulness of any proffered theory?

c)      Question Number Three: What research techniques – “political science methodology” – have been or might be effectively applied trying to “test” whether any particular theoretical explanation is useful or accurate?

d)      Question Number Four: What does the political phenomenon look like in the day-to-day behavior of men and women?

ASSIGNED TEXTBOOKS:

·  Thomas M. Magstadt, Understanding Politics: Ideas, Institutions & Issues (Seventh Edition, 2006).

·  W. Phillips Shively, Power and Choice: An Introduction to Political Science (Tenth Edition, 2007)

Any other material will be distributed in class, or be made available on the Course Web Page; see at:

http://www.uwlax.edu/faculty/mcdougal

Any student who feels that he or she needs an accommodation for any sort of special need, please make an appointment as soon as possible to see me during my office hours.

CRITICAL THINKING IS ABSOLUTELY CRUCIAL IN THIS COURSE!!

Read Þ "Criteria for Critical Thinking"

READING ASSIGNMENTS:

I. THE “NATURE” OF POLITICS:

Shively, chapter 1 “The Idea of Politics”     

Magstadt, chapter 1, “Introduction to the Study of Politics”

Shively, chapter 3, “The Modern State”

II. FORMS OF GOVERNMENT:

Shively, chapter 7, “Authority and Legitimacy: The State and the Citizen”

Magstadt, chapter 3, “Utopias: Model States”

Shively, chapter 8, “Democracy and Autocracy”

Magstadt, chapter 5, “The Authoritarian Model: Myth and Reality”

Magstadt, chapter 6, “The Totalitarian Model: False Utopias”

Magstadt, chapter 4, “Constitutional Democracies: Models of Representation”

Shively, chapter 9, “Constitutions and the Design of Government”

Shively, chapter 14, “Parliamentary Government”

Magstadt, chapter 7, “Parliamentary Democracy”

Shively, chapter 15, “Presidential Government”

III. AREA STUDIES

PLEASE NOTE – All enrolled students are required to read the material listed below.

Each Area Study Group will each have additional readings as part of their assignments.

Magstadt, chapter 8, “States in Transition: Between Democracy and Yesterday”

Magstadt, chapter 9, “Developing Countries: Democracy or Dictatorship?”

Magstadt, chapter 14, “Revolution”

IV. POLITICAL SCIENCE SUB-FIELDS

PLEASE NOTE – All enrolled students are required to read the material listed below.

Each Sub-Field Group will each have additional readings as part of their assignments.

(a) International Relations:        

Magstadt, chapter 15, “Terrorism”

Magstadt, chapter 16, “War: Politics by Other Means”

Magstadt, chapter 17, “International Relations”

Magstadt, chapter 18, “International Organizations”

Shively, chapter 18, “Global Politics: Politics among States (and Others)”         

(b) Government Institutions:      

Magstadt, chapter 12, “Political Leadership”

Shively, chapter 17, “Law and the Courts”

Shively, chapter 16, “Bureaucracy and the Public Sector”

(c) Public Policy:  

Shively, chapter 4, “Policies of the State”

Shively, chapter 5, “Economic Policy and the Political Economy of the State”

Magstadt, chapter 13, “Issues in Public Policy: Principles, Priorities and Practices”

(d) Political Organizations:         

Shively, chapter 10, “Elections”

Shively, chapter 11, “Parties: A Linking and Leading Mechanism in Politics”

Shively, chapter 12, “Structured Conflict: Interest Groups in Politics”

(e) Mass Political Behavior:

Magstadt, chapter 10, “Political Socialization”

Magstadt, chapter 11, “Political Participation”

Shively, chapter 10, “Elections”

(f) Race, Ethnicity & Gender:    

Shively, chapter 13, “Social Movements and Contentious Politics”

V. POLITICAL IDEOLOGY

Magstadt, chapter 2, “The Idea of the Public Good: Ideologies and Isms”

Shively, chapter 2, “Modern Ideologies and Political Philosophy”

Shively, chapter 6, “Political Choices: The Problems of Justice and Efficiency”

GRADED ASSIGNMENTS:

Class Attendance: A record of your attendance will be kept. Attending this class regularly is very important if you are to keep up. Remember, we will be moving between topics more quickly than is usual.

Class Participation: It is my hope to lecture as little as possible, and rather keep the in-class activities far more conversational. To encourage this, your participation in the class’s discussions will be evaluated. Other class activities will also contribute to your participation grade, such as informal writing in and outside of class, grouped discussions of course topics and issues, and a self-evaluation by each Subfield Group.

Examinations: Three (3) examinations must be taken to complete this course. Each exam will be partly in-class objective questions, and partly take-home essay. The objective portion of each exam will test your knowledge of the key terms and concepts from the relevant readings. You will be asked to demonstrate mastery of these terms and concepts, and their application, through identification and multiple-choice questions. The essay portion of each exam will test your ability to analyze and apply the theoretical course material, in the form of short and long essay answers. As we move through the course, the examinations will be weighted more toward the essays. I will discuss this in more detail as we progress through the semester. These exams will be given as follows:

Group Research and Reports:

1. Area Studies: CONCLUDED
2. Political Science Subfields: Each student is required to participate in a group-based study of one of the major sub-fields of academic political science: (a) International Relations, (b) Government Institutions, (c) Public Policy; (d) Political Organizations, (e) Political Behavior, (f) Race, Ethnicity & Gender in Politics. Specific guidelines will be provided, but in general, this requirement will involve reading a textbook in the subfield, reviewing the predominant research journals within the subfield and summarizing its current theoretical questions. Each group will develop and Outline of its activities, present an Oral Report to the class, and create a Formal Written Report for submission. The goal of this work is to demonstrate that you can apply the theoretical concepts of academic political science in learning about the working of a functioning political system.