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212-346-1146 cmalone@pace.edu  

PACE UNIVERSITY
DEPARTMENT OF POLITICAL SCIENCE

POL 101
Dr. Christopher Malone
Spring 2003
Office: 55W Choate House
cmalone@pace.edu
Phone: 773-3428
http://webpage.pace.edu/cmalone
Office hours:
Tuesday 2:30pm-4:00pm Wednesday 2:30pm-5:30pm

Politics: A Comparative Introduction

This course serves as a critical introduction to the study of politics. It seeks to acquaint students with different approaches to, and different perspectives on, politics by examining the conceptual, methodological, ethical, and ideological foundations to the political world. We will engage different concepts, theories and authors as we seek answers to some of the most fundamental questions of political life, such as: What is justice? What is human nature? What is power? What is freedom? What is liberty? What constitutes a just society? What may we hope for out of a political order?

The course will be broken down roughly into three units. In the first, we will concern ourselves with what can broadly be defined as the “methodology of political science.” Research methods allow one to become a producer rather than a consumer of knowledge and, in my opinion, help students develop the skills useful to them throughout their life. In the second unit, we will focus on some of the major political theories, ideologies, and concepts from Plato to the present. In the third unit, we will turn our attention to some of the processes and institutions that inhabit the political world.

Course Requirements
The requirements for this course are demanding but manageable. First, STUDENTS WILL BE ASKED TO TURN ALL CELL PHONES OFF BEFORE CLASS AND KEEP THEM OFF FOR THE DURATION OF THE CLASS. Second, attendance will be required. Third, readings should be completed BEFORE class. Fourth, many of the readings assigned may be quite difficult because they will cover concepts and ideas that you may not be readily familiar with. But we will work through them together. I therefore ask for your careful preparation, your dutiful attendance and your willingness to participate. By the end of the semester, it is my hope that students will have an appreciation for what it means not only to think POLITICALLY, but also CONCEPTUALLY and METHODOLOGICALLY about politics. More importantly, students will have learned how to use and apply concepts that form the basis to the study of politics.

Grading
Students will be asked to complete 5 short paper assignments during the term. Each will be worth 10% of your final grade (for a total of 50%). The assignments and due dates will be given well in advance. In addition, there will a final exam in the class worth 40%. The final 10% of your grade will consist of attendance and class participation.

Required Books
One book has been ordered for purchase and can be found in the college bookstore. Reading materials will also be placed on e-reserve in the library which can be accessed from your home computer.
 Andrew Heywood, Politics, Second Edition (Palgrave Press, 2002).

Schedule of Classes
Below are approximate dates for class meetings, along with reading assignments. Because the schedule is subject to revision, you are responsible for keeping up with any announced changes.

Part I: Methods and Concepts of Political Science

January 21-23 Introduction: What is Politics? What is Political Science?
· Heywood, chapter 1

January 28-30 Methodological Foundations to the Study of Politics
· Heywood, chapter 2
· Kenneth Hoover, “The Elements of Social Scientific Thinking,” chapters 1-2
(e-reserve)

February 4-6 Conceptual Foundations to the Study of Politics: Democracy and The Role of the State
· Heywood, chapters 4 and 5

Part II: Theories and Ideologies of Politics
February 11-13 Theoretical Foundations to the Study of Politics I: Ancient Political Thought
· Heywood, chapter 3
· Plato, The Republic, excerpts (e-reserve)

February 18, 20 and 25 Theoretical Foundations to the Study of Politics II: 17th and 18th century Liberalism
· Heywood, chapter 3
· Hobbes, Leviathan (e-reserve)
· Locke, Second Treatise on Government (e-reserve)
· Rousseau, The Social Contract (e-reserve)

February 27, March 4 and 6 Theoretical Foundations III: Marxism and Fascism
· Heywood, chapter 6
· Marx, “The Communist Manifesto” and “On Alienated Labor” (e-reserve)
· Hitler, Mein Kampf (e-reserve)

MARCH 9-16 SPRING BREAK

Part III: Institutions and Processes of Politics

March 18 – 20 Globalization
· Heywood, chapter 7
· E-reserve reading, To Be Announced

March 25-27 Economy and Society
· Heywood, chapter 9
· E-reserve reading, TBA

April 1-3 Political Culture, Elections and Voting
· Heywood, chapters 10-11
· E-reserve reading, TBA

April 8-10 Political Parties and Social Movements
· Heywood, chapters 12-13
· E-reserve reading, TBA

April 15-24 Machinery of Government: Constitutions and National Institutions
· Heywood, chapters 14-16
· US Constitution (e-reserve)

May 6th: Final Exam