PS 134-01, Spring 2014Introduction to Political Science

Dr. Ray Mikell, 11:00 pm-11:50 pm, MWFLIB 257, Jackson State University

at: raymikell.com/jsu & JSU Blackboard Texts:

Grigsby, Ellen (2011). Analyzing Politics: An Introduction to Political Science (Fifth Edition). Boston: Cengage.

Introduction:

Why does America, or any other country, have the government it does? What are the purposes of governing institutions and politics, anywhere in the world? Who should lead peoples and nations? And what should they lead citizens to do, exactly? Can government and civic organization help us to lead the best lives we can, or are they best when they do the least? These are big questions addressed throughout human history, from Plato and Aristotle in Ancient Greece, to Madison and Hamilton in early America.

There are no simple answers here. There is, however, much to study about how humans organize and run governmental institutions. This field of study is known as political science.

In this course, we will take a look at this discipline in a historical, as well as contemporary context. More particularly, we will closely examine the major fields of study in Political Science, including Political Theory, American Politics (and its sub-fields of American Politics and State and Local Government, among others), Comparative Politics and International Relations, as well as public policy and administration (often considered separately in graduate work, but closely tied to political science). The course will consequently help prepare students who have selected political science as a major, or who are considering majoring in it, to select coursework appropriate to their interests and, perhaps, their future graduate studies or careers.

At the same time, students in this course should begin to develop the analytical tools needed to further their studies in this discipline. As the semester goes by, you will learn to identify and evaluate arguments, as well as the evidence undergirding them, in academic journals and other editorial content. Finally, the course aims to assist students in developing media literacy and citizenship skills.

Learning and Course Objectives:

By the end of this course you should be able to do the following:• Identify the major fields of study in political science, and what their study involves• Discuss the structure and nature of political issues and political relationships.• Analyze contemporary political issues and political theory within a historical context and

via the concepts and some of the methods of political science• Explain and relate how media and technology, political culture and life experiences help

shape one's political positions and political relationships.

Readings, Lecture Schedule Monday, Jan. 13Welcome, Syllabus Discussion

Jan. 15-17 and 22-24Introduction: What is Political Science?Discussion of Major Fields, Sub-Fields and Methods

Jan. 20 - MLK Holiday

Jan. 27-31Political TheoryTextbook Chapter Aristotle, Book 1, Parts I and II, Politics * ; Rousseau, Book 2, Part 8, On the Social Contract * ; Madison, The Federalist Papers No. 51 * .

Feb. 3-5Ideologies, Part 1Locke, Chapter 8-10, Two Treatises of Government * ; Marx, "Part III: Socialist and Communist Literature," The Communist Manifesto *.

Feb. 5-10Ideologies, Part 2Excerpt from Benedict Anderson, "Imagined Communities," Hannah Arendt, Chapter 4, Book 3, "The Origins of Totalitarianism," Guillermo O'Donnell, "Chapter Ten: A Curious End to a Sad Story," Bureaucratic-Authoritarianism.)

Feb. 12-19Democracy, Civil Society and ElectionsSamuel Huntington, "The Third Wave," Robert Dahl, "Chapter 28, Stability, Change and the Democratic Creed," Who Governs? Democracy and Power in an American City).

Feb. 21-24Political CulturePolitical Participation. (Robert Putnam, "Chapter 6: Social Capital and Institutional Success," Making Democracy Work; Chapter 10, "Parties in the United States," and Chapter 12, "Political Associations in the United States," Alexis d'Tocqueville, Democracy in America * ; Phillip Converse and Georges Dupeux, "Politicization of the Electorate in France and the United States.")

Feb. 26, 28 - Review and Discussion

March 3 - Mid-Term Exam

March 5- 7Exam Discussion, Research Discussion

March 10-14 - Spring Break

March 17-19Interest Groups, Research Discussion

March 21-26Institutions (Executives, Legislatures, Judiciary)

March 26-28Media Politics"Media Framing," from the Working Psychology website, Excerpt from Daniel J. Boorstin, "Chapter 1: A Flood of Pseudo-Events," The Image. Also: Behavioral Theory and Socialization, Polling.

March 28-31Bureaucracies Max Weber, "Characteristics of Bureaucracy" *; Robert K. Morton, "Bureaucratic Structure and Personality;" Jack Nagel, "The MOVE Disaster."

April 2-4Federalism & Local Government Daniel Elazar, "Introduction," Constitutionalizing Globalization; James Madison, Federalist Papers No. 39 * ; Dahl, "Chapter 16, Leaders in Urban Development" Who Governs?; Jane Jacobs, Introduction, The Death and Life of Great American Cities.

April 7-9Public Policy John Kingdon, "Chapter 4: Processes: Origins, Rationality, Incrementalism and Garbage Cans," Agendas, Alternatives and Public Policies; Sven Steinmo, "Chapter 7: Taxes, Democracy and the Welfare State," Taxation and Democracy.

April 11-14International PoliticsHans Morgenthau, "Chapter 1, A Realist Theory of International Politics," Politics Among Nations.

April 18-21 - Holiday Break

April 16-25Political Economy/Economic PolicyDouglass North, Chapter 12 Institutions, Institutional Change and Economic Performance; Joseph Stiglitz, "The Insider: What I Learned at the World Economic Crisis" *.

April 25, Review and Discussion

Final Exam: Date TBA

Course Policies

Grading• Participation and Attendance: 10 percent • Two Exams: 30 percent each

• Essays/Out-of-Class Research: 30 percent

Make-Up Policy Exams will only be given or handed out on particular dates, and it is up to you to know what those particular dates are. Exams will be handed out at other times, in make-up fashion, only under the most extreme circumstances. Academic Integrity Students must demonstrate a high standard of individual honor in academic work. Understanding and avoiding plagiarism is particularly important in a class where writing, on essays and a final paper, will be so important. Please note that students will be given a zero on assignments in which plagiarism is identified. You can read more about the ins and outs of this problem, and how it is defined and can be identified, at plagiarism.org. Link: http://tinyurl.com/n5n4vuk

Assistance I will be happy to meet with you after hours, although my time at JSU will be normally limited to course times. It would be best to catch me before or after class if you must talk to me face-to-face. Feel free to write me via e-mail at any time. I will be busy, so you should not expect an immediate response, but I will get back to you within 48 hours, typically. Controversial Material Please note that you can expect to hear about many controversial matters in this class, the discussion of which may make you uncomfortable. This cannot be avoided in discussions of politics and policy. The subject matter should not be taken to reflect the opinions orpriorities of the instructor or anyone at Jackson State University. Subjects chosen for discussion are ones carefully selected–or covered in your text–to reflect ongoing debates in government and politics worldwide, including major policy debates in America and other nations. Talking, Mobile Devices Talking in class will not normally be tolerated, although it will be encouraged during organized discussions. Please remember to at least silence your mobile device notification or ringing before classes begin. You may certainly bring your mobile devices into class. However, surfing the Internet at length will not be allowed. Disabilities policy It is University policy to provide, on a flexible and individualized basis, reasonable accommodations to students who have disabilities that may affect their ability to participate in course activities or to meet course requirements.Students with disabilities are encouraged to contact their instructors and/or JSU Disability Services to discuss their individual needs for

accommodations.Link: http://tinyurl.com/lqu7lgf