Political Science: State of the Art

After completing this course students are able to:

1. Understand and apply concepts, approaches and methods that political scientists utilize to answer questions about politics;
2. Use critical thinking and evidence to understand and evaluate rival political theories and interpretations;
3. Demonstrate knowledge of fundamental political processes, institutions, actors, and relationships;
4. Comprehend and critically evaluate readings in political science, demonstrated through the ability to formulate clear oral and written arguments;
5. Conduct research in political science, using materials such as primary, secondary, and online sources or databases, in support of an original argument or research question

Relationship between assessment and learning goals:

Course Goals 1 to 4

• Debate leadership      
• Content analysis of an academic article    
• Evaluation voting advice application
• Peer review, attendance & class participation
• Exams

Course Goal 5

• Research design

Content
This course provides a comprehensive overview of the issues, concepts and approaches in contemporary political science.  In the first part of the course, it offers insights into conceptual and methodological issues that underpin the study of politics. The second part of the course discusses fundamental political processes, institutions, actors, and relationships, and the theoretical concepts and ideas that move them.

Format
The course employs a variety of activities: lectures, literature study, video illustration, discussion, review of key political science publications, content analysis of scientific journals, country reports based on internet sources, and exams.
Students and professor meet twice a week for two hour periods.