Introduction to Political Science

Transcription

1 Introduction to Political Science POLS110 Mary Tuti Baker, Graduate Assistant 9:00am to 10:15am BUSAD C-103 Office Hours: Thursday 10:30-11:30am or by appointment Saunders Room 621 Learning Objectives By the end of this semester you will: 1. Become conversant with various theorizations of power and ideology. 2. Be able to identify political structures and the network of power relationships that support these structures. 3. Learn how to identify power dynamics and ideological positions in a variety of political circumstances. 4. Develop informed opinions about contemporary local, national and international political issues through critically examining state, media and grassroots discourses concerning those issues. Reading List Alfred, Taiaiake. Peace, Power, Righteousness: An Indigenous Manifesto. 2nd ed. Don Mills, Ont: Oxford University Press, Freeden, Michael Ideology: A Very Short Introduction Howes, and Osorio, eds. The Value of Hawaiʻi: Knowing the Past, Shaping the Future Shiva, V. Earth Democracy: Justice, Sustainability, and Peace Additional readings provided

2 Course Overview This course examines the interplay of two fundamental political concepts - ideology and power. We begin with the various ways that we make sense of the political environment of which we are part. We examine our personal beliefs and how they translate onto larger macro- ideological configurations such as liberalism, socialism, conservatism, totalitarianism. We then look at ideological configurations of marginalized groups and entertain questions relating to power, domination, agency and authority. What is power and who has the authority to wield it? In what ways do we govern ourselves and in what ways are we governed by others? How do we understand civic discourse, civic duty and community? In what ways do communities on the margins of society express power? In the final section of the course each student will critique a current political movement using the various theories of ideological position and relationships of power. Dialogue and Solidarity You do not have to agree with your classmates or me 100% of the time, or at any time! But you do have to be willing to engage in dialogue, while remaining open to and respectful of others beliefs and opinions. Politics can arouse deep passions and emotions, and that can be powerful. However, it requires that we are extra mindful to treat one another with aloha. 2

3 Grading Scale A+ = 100 A = 95 A- = 90 B+ = 87 B = 83 B- = 80 C+ = 77 C = 73 C- = 70 D+ = 67 D = 63 D- = 60 F = below 59 How is my grade determined? Assignment will be scored based on the following criteria: A Completes all assignments and shows strong understanding and effort. B Completes all assignments and shows effort to understand material. C Completes all assignments. D Does not complete assignments. F No attempt or absent. ASSESSMENT AND GRADING You will be assessed by the effort you put into understanding and working with the political concepts in the course. Attending class, participating in class activities, and taking the time to write or use other creative faculties to complete assignments on or before the due date will demonstrate such an effort. I encourage you to visit me during office hours to discuss questions you have relating to class material. Attendance and Participation (40%) Participation grade includes in- class written and oral exercises based on the readings and contribution to class discussion. Exams: (20%) There will an exam after Units 1 and 2 for a total of two. You may only make- up exams if you notify me ahead of time and get approval for alternate arrangements. Written Reflections (20%) At least once a week post a question or reflection about readings and class discussion to the class discussion forum. Current events report (20%) The best way to understand theoretical concepts is to apply the concepts to real- life situations. This assignment requires that you scan a range of news media looking for examples of current events that relate to the political concepts we are dealing with in class. Keep a journal of these issues to submit at end of term. You are also required to lead a class discussion on a current event. Policies ATTENDANCE AND TARDIES: Be in class, on-time. You will lose a point for each day missed. Additional points for in-class assignments and exams can only be earned if you are present. Whether tardy or absent, you may only make-up assignments or exams if you notify me ahead of time and get approval for alternate arrangements. LATE WORK: If you have special circumstances that prevent you from turning an assignment in on time PRIOR arrangements must be made. Otherwise, late work will be marked down by 10% for every day past the deadline. ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: The work you do must be your own. You will build on, react to, criticize, and analyze the ideas of others. This means you must properly cite the ideas and/or research of others when using it in your own writing, presentations, and other assignments. It is your responsibility to be in compliance with the university s policies regarding academic dishonesty. Any academic dishonesty such as plagiarism will result in failure of the course. (See: ACCOMMODATIONS: If you need reasonable accommodations because of a disability, I am happy to work with you and the KOKUA Program to meet your access needs. Please speak with me privately to discuss your specific needs. 3

4 July 7-18 SCHEDULE (subject to change) 7/7 Introductions Unit 1: Ideology and social imaginary Primary Texts: Ideology: A Very Short Introduction (ch. 3-8), The Value of Hawai i Howes and Osorio editors Opening video: The Pale Blue Dot -- Carl Sagan 7/8 The Political Compass. Mapping ideological positions. 7/9 Social Imaginaries: Making sense of social space 7/10 Ideologies the symbolic device that orders social space (Freeden ch 3) 7/11 Conceptual Structure of Ideology (Freeden ch 4) 7/14 Macro-ideologies: liberalism, socialism, conservatism, totalitarianism (Freeden ch 5-6) 7/15 Micro-ideologies: social movements (Freeden ch 7) 7/16 Why politics can t do without ideology (Freeden ch 8-10) 7/17 Review our contingent definition of ideology. Ideological dimensions of Shiva s Earth Democracy and Alfred s Peace, Power and Righteousness 7/18 Quiz 1 July Unit 2: Relationships of Power 7/21 Theorizing Power 7/22 Power and Individuals 7/23 Power and Society Primary Texts: Power by Iain Mackenzie in Contemporary Social and Political Theory an Introduction The Politics of Power: A Critical Introduction to American Government by Katznelson, Kesselman, and Draper.(Introduction and ch 1) The Value of Hawai i (selected essays) Key concepts: Domination, Authority, Legitimacy, Agency 7/24 Asymmetrical Power Relations 4

5 SCHEDULE (subject to change) 7/25 Review key concepts for Ideology and Power 7/28 Quiz 2 Jul 29-Aug 14 Unit 3: Social Movements challenging hegemonic power The Value of Hawai i Howes and Osorio editors Web resources on Occupy Movements and Idle No More 7/29 Hegemonic power and the nation state 7/30 Colonial power relations 7/31 Peoples movements to resist neoliberal globalization 8/1 REVIEW 8/4-8 Students work in small groups to practice analyzing various social movements: What is the ideological position of the group? Who has authority to speak for group? Does the group seek to reform or transform the hegemonic power structure? 8/11-14 Individual Current Events Presentations August 14 Current Events Journal due 5