UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT EL PASO Political Science 2310-007 Introduction to Politics Fall 2009 TR, 9:00am-10:20am, UGLC 216 Instructor: Dr. Cigdem V. Sirin Office Hours: Thursdays 2:30-4:30pm or by appointment Office Location: Benedict Hall 302 Office Phone: (915) 747-7971 E-mail: csirinvillalobos@utep.edu COURSE OVERVIEW This course is a general introduction to the study of politics and provides a broad overview of the world s political systems. The primary goals of the course are to introduce you to several key concepts and theories within the scientific method of studying politics, increase your familiarity with different models of government, and help you develop a better understanding of U.S. and Texas political practices and institutions. We will cover topics such as political culture, ideologies, institutional structures, and political economy with comparisons and references to the U.S. COURSE OBJECTIVES I believe, with adequate effort and willingness, all of you are capable of doing well in this course. By the end of this course, you can expect to accomplish the following learning outcomes: To define, understand, and apply the concepts, principles, and practices of politics as background for the study of American and Texas political institutions. To recognize the analytical methods and approaches that political scientists use for the scientific study of politics. To apply and critique a body of factual knowledge and theories relevant to understanding different domestic and international political structures. To comprehend and evaluate the effects of and the relationships among historical, social, political, economic, cultural, and global forces on the U.S. and other political systems. To interpret and analyze factors influencing contemporary political relations within and between political systems around the world. To discern alternative explanations for different levels and types of political development among political systems around the world. To identify and understand differences and commonalities across political ideologies and cultures. To recognize and tolerate alternative points of view on historical and contemporary problems in comparative and international politics.
OBJECTIVES FOR PROFESSIONALISM As a member of the academic and global community, I expect you to adhere to the following principles of professionalism (unprofessional conduct will be dealt with swiftly through the university): interpret the consequences of one s own actions have responsible civic engagement that is to: respect different points of view and different cultures work effectively as a leader and/or member of the community articulate the value of a diverse and global perspective in the workplace and society have concern for the well-being of others REQUIRED COURSE TEXT Garner, Robert, Peter Ferdinand, and Stephanie Lawson. 2009. Introduction to Politics. New York: Oxford University Press. (ISBN13: 978-0-19-923133-1; ISBN10: 0-19-923133-8) This book is available at the UTEP Bookstore and may also be available at online bookstores, such as http://www.amazon.com, http://www.barnesandnoble.com, and http://www.half.ebay.com. If you choose to order your book via an online provider, please be mindful of the delivery time as several weeks may pass before you receive it. OTHER READINGS I will also assign several book chapters and journal articles as listed in the course schedule section of this syllabus. All these items are available on the library electronic course reserves. See http://lib.utep.edu/search/r. GRADING POLICY Your final grade in this class will be based on the following requirements: Course Requirement Due Weight Mid-term Exam 1 September 17 Mid-term Exam 2 October 15 Mid-term Exam 3 November 12 Best of two; 30 percent each. Final Examination December 8 35 percent Class Participation All meetings 5 percent All grades (including the final grade) are based on the following distribution of points: Points Letter 90-100 A 80-89 B 70-79 C 60-69 D 59 and below F 2
I will not change grades. You have the opportunity to earn extra credit in this class, so there is no reason to consider grade changes. If you are concerned about your grade, please come and see me during my office hours. This is particularly important if your grade on the first exam is not what you expected. I will not change the grade, but I can give you feedback and suggestions on how to improve your performance in the class. EXAMS There are four exams for the course: three noncumulative midterm exams and a comprehensive final. All exams are closed book/notes and in-class. Questions are based on the readings and lectures. All exams are multiple-choice and require a scantron sheet and pencil. Exam dates are September 17, October 15, and November 12 for the midterm exams and December 8 for the final. The two best midterm exams (out of three) will count toward your final grade. Everyone will be required to take the final exam. Make-up exams Make-up exams will be given only in the case of a documented medical or personal emergency (see excused absences below). To be excused, I expect you to notify me in writing (e-mail is acceptable) prior to the date of absence if such notification is feasible. In cases where advance notification is not feasible (e.g. unanticipated illness, accident, or emergency), I expect you to provide notification as soon as possible after the absence. This notification should include an explanation of why notice could not be sent prior to the class. You must also provide documentation substantiating the reason for the absence that is satisfactory. For illness, documentation should include a note from a doctor or clinic. Note that make-up exams may be in a different format than the original exam and may require more intensive preparation. If you miss a test and your absence is not considered excused, you will receive a zero on the test. This policy will be strictly enforced. CLASS PARTICIPATION (ATTENDANCE AND ENGAGEMENT) Students will be asked to sign an attendance sheet at the beginning of each class meeting. I expect everyone to attend class on the scheduled dates and times. This means coming to class alert, willing to ask and answer questions, and to contribute intellectually to class discussions. Remember that you are expected to have completed the assigned readings before the class meeting. Coming to class prepared is important particularly because when calculating your final grade, I will consider your class participation. In addition, exams will cover material from the readings and the lectures, so doing just one or the other will leave you at a disadvantage. If I consistently detect a pattern of only a few students reading, there will be graded pop-quizzes, which will account for 10% of the final grade. Note that the class participation portion of each student s grade is non-negotiable and left solely to the discretion of the instructor. 3
EXCUSED ABSENCES POLS 2310 Fall 09 I will excuse absences only when a student participates in an official university-recognized activity, observes a recognized religious holiday of her/his faith that happens to coincide with a class meeting, is called to and participates in active military service for a reasonably brief period, or confronts extraordinary circumstances, such as a prolonged illness, extended jury duty, or a major personal crisis. Any excused absences must be documented. Please do not ask me to excuse absences for minor illnesses or scheduling conflicts (e.g. sports practices or games, play rehearsals, meetings, conferences, appointments with other professors or advisors, student teaching, doctor's appointments, court dates, jobs, job interviews, having your cable installed, etc.). I am aware that students have other interests and obligations, but you should nevertheless make this class a priority. If you are likely to have recurring conflicts, please take another course. See academic regulations in UTEP Undergraduate Catalogue for a list of excused absences: http://academics.utep.edu/default.aspx?tabid=54418. According to UTEP Curriculum and Classroom Policies, When, in the judgment of the instructor, a student has been absent to such a degree as to impair his or her status relative to credit for the course, the instructor may drop the student from the class with a grade of W before the course drop deadline and with a grade of F after the course drop deadline. EXTRA CREDIT If, during the semester you have zero absences, three bonus points will be added to your final grade. Having only one absence will earn you two extra points and if you have only two absences, you will get one extra point. If you have more than two absences, you will not receive extra credit points. University-excused absences will not be counted against you, so long as you provide documentation the day you return to class. Again, it is your responsibility to document excused absences in a timely fashion. CLASSROOM AND E-MAIL PROTOCOL Pagers and cell phones must be off during class hours. They are allowed under emergency circumstances, but please notify the professor ahead of time. Chatting, e-mailing, internet browsing, or any activity not related to official class activity is prohibited. Beginning in the second week of class, all students will sit in permanently assigned seats to facilitate the checking of attendance and so that I can learn your names. When e-mailing me, please put the course number in the subject line. In the body of your e-mail clearly state your question. At the end of your e-mail, be sure to put your first and last name, and your university identification number. Please do not email me about information you can obtain from the syllabus. I do not answer substantive material from lectures or readings via e-mail as it is not an effective means of communicating. If there is class material you are confused about, please come and see me during my office hours. 4
ACADEMIC DISHONESTY POLS 2310 Fall 09 Academic dishonesty is prohibited and is considered a violation of the UTEP Handbook of Operating Procedures. It includes, but is not limited to cheating, collusion, and plagiarism. Cheating may involve copying from or providing information to another student, possessing unauthorized materials during a test. Collusion involves collaborating with another person to commit any academically dishonest act. Plagiarism is commonly defined as passing off the ideas, works, writing, etc., of another person as your own without giving credit to that person. In accordance with this definition, you are committing plagiarism if you copy the work of another person and turn it in as your own work, even if you have the permission of that person. I encourage students to study together and work collectively; however, working together to write any part of a written assignment, research paper, and/or exam is plagiarism. Be aware, just as the Internet has made it easier to find material, it has also made it easier to trace the source of any written work. If you are unsure whether a citation is required, err on the side of caution and provide one. You may also not submit work for this class that you did for another class without my expressed consent. Any act of academic dishonesty attempted by a UTEP student is unacceptable and will not be tolerated. Violations will be taken seriously and will be subject to disciplinary action. Students may be suspended or expelled from UTEP for such actions. Refer to http://studentaffairs.utep.edu/default.aspx?tabid=4386 for further information. COPYRIGHT STATEMENT FOR COURSE MATERIALS The course materials used in this course are copyrighted. By course materials, I mean all materials generated for this class, which include but are not limited to syllabi, quizzes, exams, lecture notes and PowerPoint slides, in-class materials, review sheets, and additional problem sets. This also includes any information posted on the course webpage. Because these are copyrighted, you do not have the right to distribute the course materials, unless I expressly grant permission. AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (ADA) The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please see me personally within the first two weeks, to discuss any special needs you might have. If you have a documented disability and require specific accommodations, contact the Disabled Student Services Office in the East Union Bldg., Room 106 within the first two weeks of classes. The Disabled Student Services Office can also be reached in the following ways: web: http://www.utep.edu/dsso; phone: (915) 747-5148; fax: (915) 747-8712; e-mail: dss@utep.edu 5
CLASS SCHEDULE AND READING ASSIGNMENTS* SECTION I: POLITICS AND POLITICAL SCIENCE 08/25 Introduction; Course Overview Reading: Garner, Ferdinand, and Lawson (GFL) Introduction 08/27 Politics & Political Science Reading: Eagles, M. 2008. Politics: An Introduction to Democratic Government. (3 rd ed.) Canada: Broadview Press. Chapter 2. 09/01 States & Nations Reading: GFL Chapter 1 & Chapter 2 09/03 Documentary Session 09/08 Political Culture, Beliefs, and Actions Reading: GFL Chapter 13 09/10 Political Violence Reading: Danziger, J. N. 2005. Understanding the Political World. (7 th ed.) New York: Pearson Longman. Chapter 12. 09/15 Review of Exam 1 09/17 EXAM 1 SECTION II: IDEOLOGIES AND POLITICAL REGIMES 09/22 Traditional Ideologies Reading: GFL Chapter 5 09/24 Challenges to the Dominant Ideologies Reading: GFL Chapter 6 09/29 Democracies: General Overview Reading: GFL Chapter 3 10/01 Types of Democracies I: Parliamentary versus Presidential Democracies Reading: Eagles, Munroe. 2008. Politics: An Introduction to Democratic Government. (3 rd ed.) Canada: Broadview Press. Chapter 7. 10/06 Types of Democracies II: Majoritarian versus Power-Sharing Democracies Reading: Reynolds, A. 2000. Majoritarian or Power-Sharing Government. In Democracy and Institutions: The Life Work of Arend Lijphart, ed. M. L. Crepaz, T. A. Koeble, and D. Wilsford. Ann Arbor, MI: University of Michigan Press. 10/08 Authoritarian Regimes, Reading: Hague, R., and M. Harrop. 2004. Political Science: A Comparative Introduction. (5 th ed.). New York: Palgrave Macmillan. Chapter 3. 10/13 Review of Exam 2 10/15 EXAM 2 6
SECTION III: COMPARATIVE POLITICS 10/20 Domestic Political Structures: General Overview Reading: GFL Chapter 7 10/22 Domestic Political Institutions: Law, Constitutions, the Judiciary Reading: GFL Chapter 8 10/27 Domestic Political Institutions: The Legislature Reading: GFL Chapter 9 10/29 Domestic Political Institutions: The Executive and the Administration Reading: GFL Chapter 10 11/03 Elections and Political Parties Reading: GFL Chapter 11 11/05 Civil Society, Interest Groups, and the Media Reading: GFL Chapter 12 11/10 Review of Exam 3 11/12 EXAM 3 SECTION IV: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS 11/17 International Politics: General Overview International Order, Security, and Foreign Policy Reading: GFL Chapter 17 & Chapter 18 11/19 Theories of International Relations Reading: GFL Chapter 15 & Chapter 16 11/24 International Organizations Reading: GFL Chapter 19 11/26 Thanksgiving Holiday 12/01 International Political Economy Reading: GFL Chapter 20 12/03 Review of Final Exam FINAL EXAM: Tuesday, December 8 th, 2009 between 10:00am-12:45pm *Note: This is a provisional schedule of our course. With advanced notice, I may introduce specific changes based on progress in class. 7