This course will introduce the student to the major substantive and theoretical topics examined by political scientists and to the significant methods used by political scientists to investigate these matters.

COURSE MATERIALS

Required Readings:
Huxley Brave New World
Orwell 1984
Skinner Walden Two
Buck The Good Earth
Butler The Parable of the Sower
Voltaire Candide
Tinder Political Thinking

Recommended Readings:
Plato The Republic
Hoffer The Ordeal of Change
Mill On Liberty
Hobbes Leviathan
Butler Erewhon
Machiavelli The Prince

ASSIGNMENTS

There are ten written assignments that must be turned-in during the semester.

(a) There are six sets of papers (typed) dealing with the first six books listed on the Required Readings list. These papers will be due on the scheduled days for the class discussion of these books. Late papers will not be accepted. Two of these papers will be in essay form, two in dialogue form, and two in sonnet form. Also, a paper on the Tinder book (click here for assignment guidelines) will be due on May 5.

(b) A "Journals" assignment requiring an examination of ten of the leading research journals in political science will be due on May 5.Click here is see the description of the Journals assignment.

(c) A detailed write-up on the SimCity project will be due on May 5. Click here for details on the SimCity assignment.

(d) An INS Debriefing Questionnaire will be due on May 5.

Note: Written assignments that are found to be satisfactory will not be returned. Thus, the student is advised to make copies before turning assignments in. Unsatisfactory work will be returned to the student for rewriting.

Click here to browse the Department of History, Political Science, Economics, and Management home page.

Your final grade will be computed on the following basis:

Best Test 30%

Next Best Test 25% Poorest Test 20% Assignments 10% Simulation Exer. 10% Discretionary 5% To see some sample exam questions, click here. Note: All assignments and exercises must be satisfactorily completed to pass the course. Note: Students seeking either an A or an A- grade in the course must read one of the Recommended Readings listed above and submit a four-page paper (essay) dealing with the book. See the professor for details on the form and content of the paper. Academic Honesty: Students must do their own work. Students must respect the intellectual property of other persons. Therefore, students must cite all materials (from whatever source) that is used, quoted, or paraphrased. Failure to respect the intellectual property rights of other people will result in an automatic failing grade for the semester and in possible permanent dismissal from the University. COURSE SCHEDULE Jan 19 - 25 Introduction to Course Politics and Political Science Required Readings: Huxley, all. Jan 26 - Feb 1 Political Legitimacy. and Power Huxley discussion Required Readings: Orwell, first half; Tinder, start. Feb 2 - 8 Political Concepts Democracy Required Readings: Orwell, second half. Feb 9 - 15 Democracy continued Orwell discussion Required Readings: Skinner, first half; Tinder, cont. Feb 16 - 22 Review Test I Required Readings: Skinner, second half. Feb 22 - Mar 1 Skinner discussion Elections. Required Readings: Buck, first half; Tinder, cont. Mar 2 - 8 Political Ideologies Required Readings: Buck, second half SPRING BREAK Mar 16 - 22 Political Ideologies continued Review Test II Required Readings: Butler, all; Tinder, continue Mar 23 - 29 INS Training Required Readings: Voltaire, all Mar 30 - April 5 INS training Required Readings: Tinder, finish. April 6 - 12 Buck discussion Required Readings: none April 13 - 19 Butler discussion Required Readings: none. April 20 - 26 Voltaire discussion Required Readings: none. April 27 - May 4 Careers Review Test III -- Final Exam Note: INS scheduled for Saturday, April 4, 1998 (tentative). Go to Dr. Farley's Home Page.