Syllabus
Introduction to Political Science

Introduction to Political Science

GOVT-2304

Credit Fall 2017
08/28/2017 - 12/17/2017

Course Information

Section 001
Lecture
TTh 12:00 - 13:20
NRG2 2110
Jeffrey Millstone

Office Hours

No office hours have been entered for this term

Course Requirements

INTRODUCTION TO POLITICAL SCIENCE FALL 2017

GOVT 2304, 34069 Lec 001| NRG 2110 TTh 12:00pm-1:20pm

 

Professor Jeff Millstone, M.A., J.D.

Professor of Government

Office: Northridge Campus: # 2138A

 

Phone: 512-223-4796 (least effective way to contact me)

 

Email (Preferred Method to Contact Professor. Follow instructions in syllabus to Email the Professor):  jmillsto@austincc.edu

 

Office hours: (Best Method for More Detailed Substantive Questions) :

Drop- in: Th 10:00pm -12:00 pm

By appointment only: M: 2:00 pm- 4:00 pm & F 2:00pm-4:00pm

 

Telephone Appointments: Telephone appointments may be set up M T W Th
Quickest way to schedule to speak to me personally, send me an email (at jmillsto@austincc.edu) that contains the issue you need to discuss. the phone number where I can call you, and the times you are available at that number. I will send you an email to designate a time for a telephone appointment when I will call you.

 

OFFICIAL UPDATED SYLLABUS MAINTAINED ON CLASS BLACKBOARD SITE:

A current and continually updated version of the course syllabus, plus assignments, class information, announcements and the links for web readings is found on the class blackboard (BB) site. The BB site contains online syllabus materials, corrections and updates to any printed version. All the materials on the BB site constitute the “official” syllabus for this class; always refer to the class BB site for the current and correct information. The BB site is available through ACC Blackboard. ( http://acconline.austincc.edu/)

 

MANDATORY ONLINE ORIENTATION: A requirement found on the class blackboard site that must be completed during the first week of the semester

       RECOMMENDED PREREQUISITES:  I want you to succeed and to learn in this class. If you do not have the proper preparation, achieving this goal may be difficult. This is a sophomore level course, which assumes college level competency in writing, in research and in knowledge. Ideally, college classes in Government and other social and behavioral sciences would be helpful.

 

Minimally, before enrolling in this course, the Department of Government highly recommends that you have completed one semester of college English, earning at least a “C,” and one semester of college U.S. History. If you have not yet completed these recommended requirements, you may have difficulty successfully completing this course. If you are an international student, do not consider taking this class before taking English Composition. If you have any questions, speak to the Professor before continuing with this class.

 

COURSE DESCRIPTION AND OBJECTIVES

1. Brief description: “Politics,” how do we systematically understand and explain this human phenomenon?  For most people, say the word “politics,” and they do not want to explain it, they want to escape or avoid it. It evokes an emotional and negative response. Not everyone reacts this way. Notably, political scientists have dedicated themselves to the study of politics within the discipline of political science.

 

Political Science approaches politics in a more critical, thoughtful way, with less emotion and more data and rigor. As a social and behavioral science, political science helps students to understand politics in relation to human psychology, society, and culture. This course introduces students to the scope, concepts, problems, subfields, theories, and methods of modern political science.

2. Instructor’s Goals:

To help you learn in this class and succeed in life are my main goals. Specifically, it is my desire that this course helps you be better citizens, successful in your chosen careers, and a little wiser about how things work in the political world. No matter what career you pursue, critical thinking and writing are valuable skills. In this course, students will both think and write about politics.

 

Developing critical thinking skills constitutes a centerpiece in this course. Instead of avoiding politics, this class begins with the premise that "politics" permeates all of human activity. By learning and applying the “concepts” and “tools” of political science, students will develop the ability to identify and analyze "politics" in a variety of contexts. Critical thinking also requires an awareness of alternatives. Through critical thinking, students go beyond a superficial understanding to uncover multiple and alternative points of view. Only if we can both apply analytical concepts and imagine alternative points of view can we critically form our own point of view.

 

 

 

3. Instructional Method: This course combines traditional face-to-face classroom instruction with online computer-based learning and activities. Students will attend class twice a week. Classroom time will be spent covering instructor-prepared materials in lecture and discussion, group exercises, simulations, and exploring student concerns and/or questions.

 

Since this class is a sophomore level college class, students are expected to do most of their learning outside of class: reading, studying, and writing. Written assignments will be completed online in Blackboard (BB). ACC’s Blackboard (BB) System is located online at http://acconline.austincc.edu/ This is where you will be asked to submit and complete all of your assignments. If you have any problems with or questions about BB, go to http://irt.austincc.edu/blackboard/StudentSupport.php or telephone 223-HELP (223-4357)

 

Often announcements will be posted on BB which will contain important information necessary to successfully complete the course. In addition, supplemental material may periodically be posted on Blackboard.You should check the course site on Blackboard at least once per day for such information

 

Some of the communication between instructor and class members will occur with your ACC

E-mail account. ACC’s E-mail System is located online at http://www.austincc.edu/google/ This site is where you will receive all of the e-mails that I send to you.

 

Most students will use their own personal computer. If, however, you need additional computer access, feel free to take advantage of the computer labs on each ACC campus (http://austincc.edu/tutor/students/computers.php  ).

 

In short, students taking this course should be comfortable with computers and the digital dimension of the course in order to be completely successful. Furthermore, students should be able to do independent work, manage time on their own, and have good organizational skills.

 

4. Reading materials:

 

a. Van Belle, Douglas A. A Novel Approach to Politics: Introducing Political Science through Books, Movies, and Popular Culture. FOURTH EDITION. Sage-CQ Press, 2016.

Do not purchase or rent earlier editions.

Definitely be thrifty and purchase it at the best price you can.

 

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b. There are also a substantial number of “additional required readings” that will be posted on the class website on Blackboard. They are found at the BB link “additional required readings” on the left-hand column of the class BB site. These are required readings and are "fair game" for exam questions. I will post additional readings, notes, and audio or video files with either full text or the URLs. I will notify you by email when these are posted on the BB site.

 

c. You are also required to make a habit of reading the political news in major national newspapers. More will be said about this in class.

 

5. Grading

l

Grades will be based on the total points earned, NOT YOUR AVERAGE AND NOT YOUR POSSIBLE POINTS. 

 

Requirements

NUMBER

POINTS

TOTAL POINT VALUE

Orientation

1

10

10

Activities: Attendance in class and at outside events, class participation, group work, quizzes & short essays & other miscellaneous assignments

varies

50 points for the total activities including attendance in class and at outside events, class participation, group work, quizzes & short essays and other miscellaneous assignments.

50

Discussion Forums

4

20 per discussion forum

80

Exams

4-1= 3

30 per exam

90

Report Assignment

1

50

50

 

 

GRADES ARE BASED UPON THE FOLLOWING SCALE:

A = 250 or more

D = 165 - 194

B = 220 - 249

F = 164 or less

 

C = 195 - 219

 

 

 

 

Readings

More details about the course can be found at the class Blackboard site.

Course Subjects

More details about the course can be found at the class Blackboard site.

Student Learning Outcomes/Learning Objectives

More details about the course can be found at the class Blackboard site.