MCCCD Program Description

Introduction to Political Science

Course: POS100

First Term: 1993 Fall

Lecture 3 Credit(s) 3 Period(s) 3 Load
Subject Type: Academic
Load Formula: S

Description: Introduction to the discipline of political science and its relation to other disciplines with emphasis on the major philosophies and institutions of government

MCCCD Official Course Competencies
1. Explain the nature of political science and political analysis. (I) 2. Distinguish among the four major fields in political science. (I) 3. Describe social and behavioral science methods regarding the study of political behavior, political socialization, and political beliefs and attitudes. (I) 4. Trace the origins of western classical liberalism and classical conservatism through to contemporary American liberalism and conservatism. (II) 5. Trace the origins of socialism including Marxism, Marxism-Leninism, Maoism, and democratic socialism. (II) 6. Trace the origins of fascism through to its contemporary influences. (II) 7. Compare the Articles of Confederation with the federalism of the U.S. Constitution. (III) 8. Describe the role of political parties, pressure groups, and public opinion in the American political system. (III) 9. Distinguish between democratic and non-democratic governments. (IV) 10. Compare left-wing with right-wing dictatorships. (IV) 11. Compare presidential and parliamentary government using the American and British systems as models. (III, IV) 12. Describe the structure, functions, accomplishments, limitations, and ever changing alignments of the major international organizations. (V)
MCCCD Official Course Competencies must be coordinated with the content outline so that each major point in the outline serves one or more competencies. MCCCD faculty retains authority in determining the pedagogical approach, methodology, content sequencing, and assessment metrics for student work. Please see individual course syllabi for additional information, including specific course requirements.

MCCCD Official Course Outline
I. Political Science Overview A. Political Science and Political Analysis B. Major Political Science Fields 1. American Government 2. Political Theory 3. Comparative Governments 4. International Relations C. Traditional versus Behavioral Methodology D. The Individual and Politics 1. Political Behavior 2. Political Socialization 3. Political Beliefs and Attitudes II. Political Theory A. Classical Liberalism versus Classical Conservatism B. American Liberalism versus American Conservatism C. Marxism D. Leninism E. Maoism F. Democratic Socialism G. Fascism III. American Government A. Articles of Confederation versus the Constitution B. Functions, Checks, and Balances of the Three Branches C. State and National Elections D. Role of Political Parties E. Role of Pressure Groups F. Public Opinion and Voting Behavior IV. Comparative Governments A. Democratic Imparatives B. Parliamentary Government 1. Functions of Parliament, Prime Minister and Cabinet 2. Elections 3. Role of Political Parties C. Characteristics of Non-democratic Governments D. Left-wing versus Right-wing Dictatorships E. Analysis of World-Wide Trend Toward Democratic Institutions V. International Relations A. The Modern State 1. Development 2. State versus Ethnic Nationalism B. Political Organizations Beyond the State 1. International Alliances 2. United Nations C. International Politics: Diplomacy versus the Use of Force D. Economics in a Political World E. The International Environment

MCCCD Governing Board Approval Date: 2/23/1993

All information published is subject to change without notice. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information presented, but based on the dynamic nature of the curricular process, course and program information is subject to change in order to reflect the most current information available.