Master Course Outlines | Bucks County Community College

POLI130 Introduction to Political Science Course No Longer Offered

3 credits

2250

None

An introduction to what we know about government and politics, emphasizing the techniques by which we have come to know what we know. Intended for students planning to major in social science and other serious students of government and politics.

Course Learning Goals
1. An understanding of the functioning of political institutions and processes;
2. An elementary understanding of the perennial normative issues of politics;
3. An understanding of the more basic techniques of political analysis;
4. An understanding of current political events on national an global scale;
5. Ability to read critically about political subjects at the level of the educated layman;
6. Ability to think analytically about politics;
7. Ability to communicate orally and in writing about political analysis;
8. Ability to employ selected basis tools of political analysis; and
9. An understanding of the interrelations between government and society, political ideologies, techniques of political analysis, and the political science discipline itself.
Planned Sequence of Topics and/or Learning Activities
1. Politics in Human Life
2. Governments and Governing: An Overview
3. Political Psychology, Socialization, and Culture
4. Modern Political Ideologies
5. Democracy and Authoritarianism: Principles and Models
6. Public Opinion in Democratic Systems
7. Political Communication and Noncommunication
8. The Electoral Process
9. Voting Behavior
10. Political Parties and Party Systems
11. The Legislative Process
12. The Executive Process
13. The Administrative Process
14. Law and the Judicial Process
15. Human Rights: Principles and Problems
16. Politics Among Nations
17. Peacemaking and Peacekeeping
Assessment Methods for Course Learning Goals
Reference, Resource, or Learning Materials to be used by Student:
Austin Ranney, Governing: An Introduction to Political Science (Upper Saddle River, NJ: latest edition) or similar text The New York Times (daily edition).

Courses + Programs

POLI130 Introduction to Political Science

Department of Social & Behavioral Science: Political Science

Course Learning Goals

Planned Sequence of Topics and/or Learning Activities

Assessment Methods for Course Learning Goals

Reference, Resource, or Learning Materials to be used by Student: