Author: doug west
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LAKEHEAD UNIVERSITY

DEPARTMENT OF POLITICAL SCIENCE

Political Science 1100 YB

Introduction to Political Science

Dr. D. West									      2003-2004
Office:  RB 2033				         Tuesday & Thursday:  1:00-2:30 p.m.
Telephone:  343-8304							                     RC 0005
E-Mail:  doug.west@lakeheadu.ca

Office Hours
Tuesday - 2:30-3:30

	This course is designed as a general introduction to a wide variety of themes and subjects which are the fundamental components of Political Science.  As such, the course offers a survey of the basic concepts which animate discussion about the nature of society, government and politics.  For example, the regular course material will include subjects such as Ideology, Forms of Government, and the Political Process. In addition, we will try to focus on the application of these subjects in a Canadian context. The primary objective of this course is to prepare students for more rigorous treatment of these themes and subjects in more advanced Political Science courses.   

GRADING:      Participation                         = 10%*   
		 Written Assignments x 4      = 50%**
		 Mid-Year Examination         = 20%
		 Final Examination                 = 20%

*Each student is expected to participate at least 5 times each term in organized Chat Rooms and Discussions using WebCT

**Each student is required to submit one(1) Precis and Commentary  assignment and one (1) Short Research paper IN EACH TERM. Students must consult with the Instructor before proceeding.

1-Precis and Commentary (#1 due October 30, #2 due February 26)
	Students are expected to choose articles from the Reader which accompanies the textbook and to present in 5 typed, double-spaced pages:
	a)a concise summary of the main arguments of the article
	b)a commentary on the value of the article for the study of Political Science
	c)three (3) questions that may be shared with the class

. . . / 2
Political Science 1100 YB			2				    Dr. D. West
COURSE OUTLINE							                  2003-2004

2-Research papers (#1 due November 27, #2 due April 1)
	Students will choose a newspaper, magazine or journal article as a catalyst for developing a short research paper (5-6 typed pages) that will require 7 additional sources from the Library.

**** LATE ASSIGNMENTS WILL BE GRADED DOWN BY 2% FOR EACH DAY LATE 	UNLESS ACCOMPANIED BY A LEGITIMATE DOCTOR'S CERTIFICATE

 Any form of “Academic Fraud” as outlined in the Code of Student Behaviour and Disciplinary Procedures (see also University Calendar Regulation IX) will not be tolerated.

REQUIRED TEXTBOOKS

Dickerson, Mark and T. Flanagan  An Introduction to Government and Politics   6th                                    Edition  (Toronto: Nelson, 2002)

Dyck, Rand, editor.  Studying Politics:An Introduction to Political Science (Toronto: Nelson, 2003)

Available at the Lakehead Alumni Bookstore.

CLASS SCHEDULE
FIRST TERM

TOPIC #1  WHAT IS POLITICAL SCIENCE ?
        Reading: Dickerson and Flanagan -Preface and pp.1-29
            	Reader - 1

TOPIC #2 WHAT IS POWER AND AUTHORITY?
        Reading:  Dickerson and Flanagan - pp. 30-43
			  
TOPIC #3 WHAT IS A STATE?
        Reading:  Dickerson and Flanagan - pp. 44-55
			   Reader - 2

TOPIC #4 WHAT IS A NATION? 
        Reading:  Dickerson and Flanagan - pp. 56-65
			   Reader -17

TOPIC #5 POLITICAL CULTURE
	   Reading:  Dickerson and Flanagan - pp.66-72
			   Reader - 4
. . . / 3
Political Science 1100 YB			3				    Dr. D. West
COURSE OUTLINE							                  2003-2004

TOPIC #6 LAW AND THE CONSTITUTION
	   Reading: Dickerson and Flanagan - pp.73-101

TOPIC #7 INTERNATIONAL LAW AND ORDER
	   Reading: Dickerson and Flanagan - pp.102-124
			  Reader - 16	

TOPIC #8 IDEOLOGY
	   Reading:  Dickerson and Flanagan - pp. 125-139
			   Reader - 5

TOPIC #9 LIBERALISM         
        Reading:  Dickerson and Flanagan - pp.140-162
	
TOPIC #10 CONSERVATISM
	   Reading:  Dickerson and Flanagan - pp. 163-177 
	   
TOPIC #11 SOCIALISM AND COMMUNISM
	   Reading:  Dickerson and Flanagan pp.178-200
			   Reader - 14

TOPIC #12 NATIONALISM
	   Reading: Dickerson and Flanagan pp. 201-218
			  Reader - 3
	
TOPIC #13 NEW IDEOLOGIES
        Reading: Dickerson and Flanagan  pp. 219-244
                 		Reader - 6		      

SECOND TERM
   
TOPIC #1 CLASSIFICATION OF POLITICAL SYSTEMS
	   Reading: Dickerson and Flanagan pp. 261-266
			 
TOPIC #2 LIBERAL DEMOCRACY
	   Reading: Dickerson and Flanagan pp. 267-293

TOPIC #3 MAKING TRANSITIONS
	   Reading: Dickerson and Flanagan pp. 294-307
	            	Reader -15

TOPIC #4 TOTALITARIANISM AND AUTHORITARIANISM 
	   Reading: Dickerson and Flanagan pp. 308-326
			  
TOPIC #5 PARLIAMENTARY AND PRESIDENTIAL SYSTEMS
	   Reading: Dickerson and Flanagan pp. 327-358
. . . / 4
Political Science 1100 YB			4				    Dr. D. West
COURSE OUTLINE							                  2003-2004

TOPIC #6 UNITARY AND FEDERAL SYSTEMS
	   Reading: Dickerson and Flanagan pp. 359-375
	
TOPIC #7 THE POLITICAL PROCESS
	   Reading: Dickerson and Flanagan pp. 379-386
			  Reader - 8
  
TOPIC #8 INTEREST GROUPS AND POLITICAL PARTIES
	   Reading: Dickerson and Flanagan pp. 387-415
			  Reader - 13

TOPIC #9 POLITICAL PARTIES AND COMMUNICATIONS MEDIA 
	   Reading: Flanagan and Dickerson pp. 416-429
		       	Reader - 11

TOPIC #10 ELECTIONS AND ELECTORAL SYSTEMS
	   Reading: Dickerson and Flanagan pp. 430-454
			  Reader - 12

TOPIC #11 REPRESENTATIVE ASSEMBLIES
	   Reading: Dickerson and Flanagan pp.455-469
                 		Reader - 9

TOPIC #12 THE POLITICAL EXECUTIVE
	   Reading: Dickerson and Flanagan pp. 470-481
			Reader - 7

TOPIC #13 THE ADMINISTRATION
	   Reading: Dickerson and Flanagan pp. 482-491
			 
TOPIC #14 THE JUDICIARY 
	   Reading: Dickerson and Flanagan pp. 492-516
			  Reader - 10

Students are expected to meet with the Instructor at least once per term.

TOP TEN REASONS PEOPLE DO WELL IN MY CLASS

  1. 	They come to the lectures - all the lectures.
  2. 	They take notes and review them each evening after class.
  3. 	They ask questions and enter into the discussions in class.
  4. 	They hand their assignments in on time.
  5. 	They ask the Instructor for advice and use the Library.
  6. 	They prepare at least two drafts of all written work.
  7. 	They document all of their sources for assignments.
  8. 	They prepare study notes for examinations.
  9. 	They read all the materials assigned for the course.
10.	They participate in extra-curricular activities like the Lakehead University Forum.