POLS& 101 - Introduction to Political Science

Credits: 5
Students explore and analyze political philosophies, ideologies, the historical development of political thought, democracy, authoritarianism, and major “isms” (liberalism, conservatism, capitalism, socialism, communism, fascism, political-religious fundamentalism, etc.). Students assess how well each ideology has dealt with social, economic, and political problems. Students explore and analyze why people choose any ideology over others.

Prerequisite: Eligible for ENGL 099 or instructor’s permission.

Satisfies Requirement: Social Science

Course Outcomes:
Students who successfully complete this class will be able to:

Understand and identify the principal political ideologies.
Understand the power of ideologies.
Understand how ideologies shape, and are shaped by, history, economics, and political cultures.
Understand how ideologies affect political and power relationships within and between countries around the globe.

Program Outcomes

Demonstrate knowledge of politics and government in the United States and/or across the world.

College-wide Outcomes

Critical Thinking - Critical thinking finds expression in all disciplines and everyday life. It is characterized by an ability to reflect upon thinking patterns, including the role of emotions on thoughts, and to rigorously assess the quality of thought through its work products. Critical thinkers routinely evaluate thinking processes and alter them, as necessary, to facilitate an improvement in their thinking and potentially foster certain dispositions or intellectual traits over time.
Responsibility - Responsibility encompasses those behaviors and dispositions necessary for students to be effective members of a community. This outcome is designed to help students recognize the value of a commitment to those responsibilities which will enable them to work successfully individually and with others.
Written Communication - Written Communication encompasses all the abilities necessary for effective expression of thoughts, feelings, and ideas in written form.