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SS-101 Introduction to Political Science

Course Description:
This course is a general, comparative introduction to the major concepts and themes of political science.

  • Prerequisite Courses: ESL089           

A.  PROGRAM LEARNING OUTCOMES (PLOs): 
The student will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate the ability to read, speak and write critically and effectively in English about Micronesian Studies Program course content.
  2. Demonstrate proficiency in the geographical, historical, and cultural literacy of the Micronesian region.
  3. Demonstrate proficient knowledge of the structure and functions of the government and social, political, and economic issues concerning the Micronesian Studies course content.
  4. Demonstrate the ability to perform research and write papers relevant to Micronesia using different methods and technologies.
  5. Demonstrate an appreciation of the requirements of good citizenship in the FSM.

B.  STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES (SLOs) - GENERAL: 
The student will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate basic understanding of the terminologies and concepts of political science.
  2. Demonstrate knowledge of the major areas of the State and Public Policy.
  3. Know the different types of regimes and citizenships.
  4. Know the importance of non-governmental dimensions of the political   systems such as public opinion, interest groups, political parties, and social movements.
  5. Demonstrate basic understanding of the structure of modern political systems.

SLO

PLO1

PLO2

PLO3

PLO4

PLO5

1

I,D

 

I,D

 

 

2

I,D

 

I,D

 

 

3

I,D

 

I,D

 

I,D

4

I,D

 

I,D

 

I,D

5

I,D

 

I,D

 

 

I = Introduced
D = Demonstrated
M = Mastered

C.  STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES (SLOs)-SPECIFIC: 
The student will be able to: 

General SLO 1.  Demonstrate basic understanding of the terminologies and concepts of political science. 


Student Learning Outcomes

Assessment Strategies

1.1Define basic vocabularies and concepts of politics.

Quiz

1.2 Explain how politics is used in modern day FSM.

Essay scored with rubric

1.3 Explain how politics is used as a power to make collective decision.

Essay scored with rubric

1.4 Discuss political science as a field and apply that idea into a working theory; empirical vs. nominal theory.

Group discussion scored with rubric and/or quiz

1.5 Differentiate ancient and modern political philosophies.

Quiz

1.6 Discuss and apply modern political philosophies to student’s own individual political ideology.

Written assignment scored with rubric

General SLO 2. Demonstrate knowledge of the major areas of the State and Public Policy.


Student Learning Outcomes

Assessment Strategies

2.1 Discuss the concept of state and nation.

Written assignment scored with rubric and/or quiz

2.2 Explain what nationalism is and its application in the FSM.

Essay scored with rubric

2.3 Differentiate and explain the variety of policy decisions modern states face.

Written assignment scored with rubric and/or test

2.4 Discuss economic policies and issues such as economic growth, inflation, unemployment and economic inequality.

Written assignment and oral presentation scored with rubric

2.5 Define justice and how it applies to policy making in the state.

Quiz

2.6 Discuss the evaluation of policy fairness and efficiency.

Group discussion scored with rubric and/or quiz

General SLO 3. Know the different types of regimes and citizenships.


Student Learning Outcomes

Assessment Strategies

3.1 Explain how legitimacy exists with the people of the state.

Written assignment scored with rubric and/or quiz

3.2 Discuss how governments achieve legitimacy in the eyes of their citizens.

Group discussion scored with rubric

3.3 Explain the development of democracy.

Written assignment scored with rubric and/or quiz

3.4 Explain the different problems in which democracy faces.

Essay scored with rubric

3.5 Compare and contrast the existence of democracy in the FSM with other democratic states.

Essay scored with rubric and/or quiz

3.6 Differentiate democratic governments from autocratic governments.

Written assignment scored with rubric and/or quiz

3.7 List and describe non-democratic governments such as military, one-party, theocracy, and monarchial governments.

Quiz

General SLO 4. Know the importance of non-governmental dimensions of the political   systems such as public opinions, interest groups, political parties, and social movements.


Student Learning Outcomes

Assessment Strategies

4.1 Explain the differences between political parties, interest groups and social movements.

Quiz

4.2 Discuss the origin of political parties, interest groups and social movements.

Written assignment scored with rubric

4.3 Explain the functions of political parties, interest groups and social movements as vehicle to public opinions in democracy.

Written activity scored with rubric and/or class group work scored with rubric

4.4 Compare and contrast non-government organizations in the FSM with other democratic state’s non-government organizations in addressing public opinion.

Written assignment scored with rubric and/or group discussion with presentation in class scored with rubric.

General SLO 5. Demonstrate basic understanding of the structure of modern political   systems.


Student Learning Outcomes

Assessment Strategies

5.1 Discuss the concept of constitutionalism.

Group discussion scored with rubric

5.2 Explain the development of FSM’s Constitution.

Written assignment score with rubric

5.3 Explain the function served by elections; both the democratic function and universal function.

Written assignment score with rubric

5.4 Identify characteristics of federal, unitary and centralized government systems.

Quiz

5.5 Compare and contrast FSM’s federal system to the U.S. and other states with a federal system of government.

Compare and contrast essay score with rubric and/or oral presentation in class scored with rubric.

5.6 Define electoral system and list the different types of electoral systems.

Quiz

5.7 Compare and contrast parliamentary government and presidential government.

Compare and contrast essay scored with rubric

5.8 Explain what bureaucracy of public administration is and discuss issues that FSM government has in its public administration structure.

Essay assignment scored with rubric with oral presentation in class scored with rubric

5.9 Differentiate between case law and code law.

Quiz

5.10 List and discuss the different types of courts, emphasizing on the ones that exist in the FSM; national, state and municipal level.

Quiz

D.  COURSE CONTENT

  1. Political terminologies introduced
  2. Policies
  3. Citizenship
  4. Democracy
  5. Non-government organizations
  6. Government structures

E.  METHODS OF INSTRUCTION
Text reading, lectures/discussions, peer group work, brainstorming, cooperative learning, demonstrations and simulations, audiovisual presentations, and seatwork assignments. 

F.  REQURIED TEXT(S) AND COURSE MATERIALS
Shively, W. Phillips. Power and Choice; An Introduction to Political Science (12th ed.) New York, NY: McGraw-Hill, 2009. (or most recent edition).

G.  REFERENCE MATERIALS
None

H.  INSTRUCTIONAL COSTS
None

I.   EVALUATION
None

L.  CREDIT BY EXAMINATION
None

SS 101 Introduction to Political Science Approved by VPIA: 05/12/21

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