ROANOKE COLLEGE
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS
INTRODUCTION TO POLITICAL SCIENCE (POLI 101 A)
SPRING 2015
TuTh 8:30-10:00 a.m.
West 210
Office Hours: Tu, 2:40-3:40, W, 1-2,
Th, 10-11, and by appointment
Dr. Justin D. Garrison
West 121
540-375-5265
[email protected]
COURSE DESCRIPTION
POLI 101 enhances the ability of each student to think analytically about politics. The course
introduces students to the scientific study of politics and prevalent research methods. The course
introduces students to subfields of political science such as American politics, comparative politics,
international relations, and political theory.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
The course objectives for POLI 101 are the following:



Provide students with a general understanding of political science and its major subfields.
Introduce students to empirical research methods associated with political science.
Improve each student’s ability to think critically about politics.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
Upon completing POLI 101, each student should have:



Articulated the basic principles of the scientific study of politics on an exam.
Expressed an understanding of the major subfields of political science on exams.
Improved writing and critical thinking skills on exam essay questions.
COURSE GRADING
Your final grade will be determined on the following basis:



Current Events Pres.: 10%
Exam 1: 15%
Exam 2: 15%



Exam 3: 20%
Final Exam: 25%
Participation: 15%
GRADING SCALE
The course has a total of 100 points. The final grade scale is as follows: Below 60 = F, 60-62 =
D-, 63-67 = D, 68-69 = D+, 70-72 = C-, 73-77 = C, 78-79 = C+, 80-82 = B-, 83-87 = B, 88-89 =
B+, 90-92 = A-, 93-100 = A.
REQUIRED TEXTS*
Dooley, Kevin, and Joseph Patten, Why Politics Matters: An Introduction to Political Science
* All readings listed as “(Inquire)” will be available on Inquire in PDF format.
* All in-class references to course readings will be from the required editions of these texts.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
Current Events Presentation:
Each student will give a PowerPoint presentation about a current event. The event can be on a
topic related to local, state, national, or international politics and policies. During the
presentation, each student must give an overview of his or her selected topic, explain how the
topic is connected to the readings due for the day of the presentation, and provide a question to
the class for discussion. More information about the current events presentation will be
distributed to the class via Inquire.
Examinations:
This course will have a total of four examinations. The first exam will be on Thursday, 29
January 2015. The second exam will be on Tuesday, 24 February 2015. The third exam will
be on Tuesday, 31 March 2015. The final exam will be on Friday, 24 April 2015. Exams may
consist of objective, short answer questions and/or an essay question.
Exams may be taken on a date other than that which is stipulated on the syllabus only with the
prior approval of the instructor under circumstances he determines to be compelling. The College
has established the final exam date, and the exam must be taken on that date.
Attendance and Participation
Substantive class participation, expressing both familiarity with and contemplation of course
readings, will be considered in the evaluation of final grades.
Attendance of all classes is mandatory and will be taken at the beginning of each class. If you are
late to class, it is your responsibility to inform the instructor at the end of class. Otherwise, you
will be considered absent. You are expected to be both mentally and physically present for every
class. Distracting behavior will generate an absence for that class. 3 absences from class, excused
or unexcused, are permitted during the semester. A 4th absence will incur a 3-percentage point
deduction from the final grade. 5 absences will result in dismissal from the course with a failing
grade (DF). A DF has a negative impact upon a student’s cumulative GPA. A formal written
warning will precede such dismissal. With this in mind, please reserve your quantity of permitted
absences for true emergencies.
Quizzes
Should it become necessary, the instructor reserves the right to give unannounced quizzes. Quiz
grades will be incorporated into the participation grade for each student.
ELECTRONIC DEVICES POLICY
Students must turn off cell phones before the beginning of class. Electronic devices, including
but not limited to laptops, iPads, and e-readers, are prohibited in the classroom. The use of any
electronic devices on exams or in class is strictly prohibited. The use of such devices during
lectures and class discussions will generate an absence on the grounds that the student is not
mentally present in class.
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY
All Roanoke College students are expected to adhere to the highest standards of academic
integrity in all classes and on all exams and assignments. Violations of the College’s Academic
Integrity (AI) policy include but are not limited to plagiarism, cheating, lying, and unauthorized
use of an electronic device.
As stated in the Academic Integrity Handbook: “Barring unusual circumstances, an F in the
course is the minimum penalty for a student found to be in violation of academic integrity.”
More severe penalties may also apply to violations of the AI policy. Ignorance of the AI policy is
no defense against violations. Students are strongly encouraged to familiarize themselves with
the AI Handbook, which can be found at http://roanoke.edu/AZ_Index/Academic_Affairs/Academic_Integrity/The_AI_Handbook.htm
DISABILITY SUPPORT SERVICES
The Office of Disability Support Services, located in the Goode-Pasfield Center for Learning and
Teaching in Fintel Library, provides reasonable accommodations to students with identified
disabilities. Reasonable accommodations are provided based on the diagnosed disability and the
recommendations of the professional evaluator. In order to be considered for disability services,
students must identify themselves to the Office of Disability Support Services. Students are
required to provide specific current documentation of their disabilities. Please contact Richard
Robers, M.A. Ed., Coordinator of Disability Support Services, at 540-375-2247 or e-mail
[email protected].
Students on record with the Disability Support Services are strongly encouraged to discuss
accommodations with the instructor during the first two weeks of class. Please note that students
with approved accommodations in need of testing accommodations must make arrangements
with the instructor at least one week in advance of any exam.
SUBJECT TUTORING
Subject Tutoring is an internationally certified tutor training program through CRLA ITTPC
(College Reading & Learning Association International Tutor Training Program Certification)
and is coordinated by Shannon McNeal at The Center for Learning & Teaching. Tutoring
sessions are held Sunday through Thursday, 4-9 p.m. For a list of tutorials or to make an
appointment, go to www.roanoke.edu/tutoring.
WRITING CENTER
The Writing Center @ Roanoke College, located in Room 15 on the Lower Level of Fintel
Library, offers writing tutorials for students working on writing assignments/projects in any
field. Writers at all levels of competence may visit the Writing Center at any point in their
process, from brainstorming to drafting to editing, and talk with trained peer writing tutors in
informal, one-on-one sessions. The Writing Center is open Sunday through Thursday from 4 to 9
pm. We open for Spring Semester on Sunday, January 19th. Simply stop in, or schedule an
appointment by going to www.roanoke.edu/writingcenter, where our schedule of writing
workshops and creative writing playshops is also posted. Questions? Email
[email protected] or call 375-4949.
SCHEDULE OF CLASSES
Week 1: Introduction to Course
January 13: Introduction to the Course; Introduction to Subfields of Political Science
January 15: Careers in Political Science
Week 2: Empirical Social Science Research and Political Science
January 20: Theories and Hypotheses
Readings: Babbie, Chapter 1 (Inquire)
January 22: Research Design and Variables
Readings: Babbie, Chapters 4 and 5 (Inquire)
Exam Tutorial
Week 3: Empirical Social Science Research and Political Science
January 27: Surveys and Analysis
Readings: Babbie, Chapter 9 (Inquire)
January 29: Exam 1
Week 4: Ancient Political Theory
February 3: Plato and Political Theory
Reading: Dooley, pp. 23-43
February 5: Aristotle and Political Theory
Reading: Dooley, pp. 44-50
Week 5: Modern Political Theory
February 10: Machiavelli and Political Theory
Reading: Dooley, pp. 52-65
February 12: Locke and Political Theory
Reading: Dooley, pp. 73-81
Week 6: American Political Theory
February 17: Origins of the American System
Reading: Dooley, pp. 83-100
February 19: The U.S. Constitution and The Federalist
Reading: Dooley, pp. 101-118, “Federalist No. 10” (Inquire)
Week 7: American Government
February 24: Exam 2
February 26: Creation of U.S. Congress
Reading: Dooley, pp. 120-134
Week 8: Spring Break
March 3, 5—Spring Break—No Classes
Week 9: American Government
March 10: Congressional Decision Making
Reading: Dooley, pp. 135-144
March 12: The United States Presidency
Reading: Dooley, pp. 162-170
Week 10: American Government
March 17: The United States Presidency
Reading: Dooley, pp. 162-170; “Presidential Character” (Inquire)
March 19: The United States Judiciary
Reading: Dooley, pp. 186-199
Week 11: Parliamentary Systems: The United Kingdom and Japan
March 24: Parliamentary Systems: United Kingdom
Reading: Dooley, pp. 145-151, 170-177; Burke “Thoughts” (Inquire)
March 26: Parliamentary Systems: Japan
Reading: Dooley, pp. 145-151, 170-177
Week 12: International Relations: Theory and Practice
March 31: Exam 3
April 2: Realism, Liberalism, Marxism-Leninism, and International Relations
Reading: Dooley, pp. 250-274; “Theories International Relations” (Inquire)
Week 13: International Relations: Theory and Practice
April 7: International Relations and Democratic Government
Reading: “The Ethical Problem of Democratic Statecraft” (Inquire)
April 9: Applying International Relations Theories (In-Class Exercise)
Week 14: International Relations: Theory and Practice
April 14: Nation States, Balance of Power, and the Concert of Europe
Reading: Dooley, pp. 286-299
April 16: Real Politick, World Wars, and Collective Security
Reading: Dooley, pp. 300-310
Week 15: Final Exam Week
April 24: Final Exam—Block 9—Friday, 8:30-11:30 a.m.