PELLISSIPPI STATE TECHNICAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE  MASTER SYLLABUS
INTRODUCTION TO POLITICICAL SCIENCE POL 1020
Class Hours: 3.0								Credit Hours: 3.0
Laboratory Hours: 0.0								Date Revised: Fall 2001
Catalog Course Description:
	Analysis of politics and political systems in carious countries.
Entry Level Standards:
	Students must be able to read and write at the collegel level.
Prerequisites:
	None
Textbook(s) and Other Reference Materials Basic to the Course:
	Understanding Politics, 5th edition, Magstadt & Schotten
I. Week/Unit/Topic Basis:
	Week					Topic
	1					Introduction and terminology; M & S. Chapter 1 The End of History or The Clash of Civilizations
	2					Power, legitimacy and authority; M & S. Chapter 19.
	3					History of politics.
	4					Sovereignty and the rnodem nation-state, Quiz  #1; Purpose and function of government; M & S, Ch. 2.
	5					Purpose and functions (cont'd) and class discussion. Forms of government; M & S, Chapters 1-5.
	6					Forms of gov't (cont'd). Quiz # 2; Nature of law; political structures- judiciary.
	7					Nature of law (cont'd) and class discussion. Political structures -popular assembly
	8					Political strictures - political executive; review for exam  Exam # 1
	9					Political socialization; M & S, Chapter 10. Political ideology; M & S, Chapter 14..
	10					Political ideology (cont'd) and class discussion.. Political leadership; M & S, Chapter 13. (cont'd).
	11					Quiz # 3; citizen participation in politics: M & S, Ch. 11. Political parties, interest groups and political movements; M & S, Chapter 12.
	12					Parties, etc. (cont'd); Review for exam #2 Exam # 2
	13					Introduction to comparative politics Forms of democracy: U.S. and Great Britain; M & S, Ch. 6.
	14					U.S. & GB (cont'd). and class discussion. Democracy in France, Germany and Japan; M & S, Chapter 7. Quiz # 4; People's Republic of China; M & S, Ch. 8.
	15					Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States-M & S, Chapter 8 Review for exam #3
	16					Final Exam Period
II. Course Objectives*:
	A.			Acquire a general understanding of the key concepts and ideas upon which different systems of government are based. I.5, IV.3
	B.			Demonstrate a clear understanding of how the political process works. I.5, IV.3
	C.			Develop critical skills which are necessary to the decision-making process.  III.2
*Roman numerals after course objectives reference goals of the university parallel program.
III. Instructional Processes*:
Students will:
	1.				Use teamwork to accomplish in class group activities utilizing knowledge of course concepts. Problem Solving and Decision Making Outcome, Active Learning Strategy
	2.				Complete a project (oral presentation, report, application paper), demonstrating their ability to apply course content . Communication Outcome, Information Literacy Outcome, Active Learning Strategy, Transitional Strategy
	3.				Use the World Wide Web and Pellissippi State library resources to access information for media reports, application papers, and oral presentations.   Information Literacy Outcome, Technological Literacy Outcome
	4.				Access available course software for study and review of concepts.  Technological Literacy Outcome
	5.				Practice elements of the work ethic such as professionalism, preparedness, punctuality, honesty, cooperation, dependability, contribution, effectiveness, and good manners. Personal Development Outcome, Transitional Strategy
*Strategies and outcomes listed after instructional processes reference Pellissippi State’s goals for strengthening general education knowledge and skills, connecting coursework to experiences beyond the classroom, and encouraging students to take active and responsible roles in the educational process.
IV. Expectations for Student Performance*:
Upon successful completion of this course, the student should be able to:
	1.			Understand the U.S. governmental heritage (where and our rules emerged). A-C
	2.			Understand other countries' governmental heritage (where and our rules emerged). A-C
	3.			Understand basic societal rules (the Constitution). A-C
	4.			Understand the mechanisms individuals use to influence their government (i.e. , interest groups and political parties). A-C
	5.			Understand how the electoral system operates in various political systems. A-C
	6.			Understand the balance of power in various political systems. A-C
	7.			Understand the purpose and function of political structures. A-C
*Letters after performance expectations reference the course objectives listed above.
V. Evaluation:
	A. Testing Procedures: 100% of grade
			There will be three exams worth 100 points each and four ten-point quizzes; a total of 340 points makes up the overall class grade.  The date for each exam and quiz is listed clearly on the syllabus.  Note: no make-up exams or quizzes will be allowed without express prior approval from the instructor.  Therefore, it is the responsibility of the student to contact the instructor sufficiently in advance is there is an unavoidable conflict with this schedule.
	B. Laboratory Expectations:
		N/A
	C. Field Work:
		N/A
	D. Other Evaluation Methods:
		N/A
	E. Grading Scale:
		A   =  340-306 points  B+ =  305-289  B   =  288-272  C+ =  271-255 C   =  254-238 D   =  253-204 F   =  252-0
VI. Policies:
	Attendance Policy:
		Pellissippi State Technical Community College expects students to attend all scheduled instructional activities.  As a minimum, students in all courses must be present for at least 75 percent of their scheduled class and laboratory meetings in order to receive credit for the course.