POLS& 101 - Introduction to Political Science

Credits: 5
Explores politics as systems of ideologies, processes, and institutions. Offers an overview of basic political science concepts, theories, and methods and introduces central political issues and debates. As a survey course, it provides a broad overview of the discipline and key political science approaches to studying politics.

Enrollment Requirement: Eligible for ENGL 99 or instructor consent.

Satisfies Requirement: Social Science
Course Fee: $2.00

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

Identify and apply key political science concepts to contemporary political events and institutions.
Identify and apply key political science approaches and theories.
Identify, analyze and critique key political ideologies.
Understand the differences between normative and positive political analysis.

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.