PSPA 100-02: INTRODUCTION TO POLITICAL SCIENCE

Fall 2005

Instructor: Dr. Kevin S. Freeman                                                                                                                               Class Hours: TR 9:30 – 10:45 AM

Office: Dial 247                                                                                                                                                   Office Hours: MWF 10:00 -11:30 AM

Phone: 521-6447                                                                                                                                                       Email: kevin.freeman@uncp.edu

Course Description: This course is designed to provide students with an overview and basic understanding of the modern academic discipline of political science.  The course reviews different scholarly methods and the major intellectual controversies among scholars of political science.  Students will develop a practical working knowledge of facts and ideas that can be applied to political problems in our time.  For instance, we will explore the concept of democracy and review and compare the various approaches to representation used in the democratic nations of the world.  This is an ideal course for students wanting a general overview of the various specialties in political science.

The format for class meetings will consist of lectures and opportunities for discussion and debate. The instructor will make every effort to relate course concepts to the developments taking place in current events.

Course Objectives:

1.       To define the boundaries of the field of Political Science

2.       To describe the four main subfields of the discipline

3.       To describe the central questions that political scientists investigate related to these fields

4.       To define the basic vocabulary and concepts used by political scientists

Text:  There is one required text for this course: Understanding Politics: Ideas, Institutions, and Issues (7^th ed) by Thomas M. Magstadt.  I reserve the right to assign additional readings as necessary.  This course will be much more enjoyable (and informative) for both you and your instructor if you are prepared for class discussion. (Remember: a happy instructor is a nice instructor!) 

Attendance: Attendance is expected in this class.  I will be passing a sign-in sheet around that each of you will sign each day.  If you do not sign the sheet, I will count you as absent for the day.  It will be very difficult to make a decent grade in this class without regular attendance--many of the test questions will be directly from lecture material and may not necessarily be found in your text.  Legitimate unexcused absences will be handled on a case-by-case basis.

Students with Disabilities: Any student with a documented disability needing academic adjustments is requested to speak directly to Disability Support Services and the instructor, as early in the semester as possible.  All discussions will remain confidential.  Please contact DSS at 5421-6695.  This syllabus is also available in alternative formats upon request.  Please call the aforementioned number if you desire this.

Grading: There will be three tests—two midterms and a final exam—during the semester.  The tests will be a combination of multiple choice questions and short-answer essays.  The final exam (scheduled for Tuesday, December 6  at 8:00 AM) will NOT be comprehensive. 

Midterm 1 …………….………………………………………………....................................................................……….………………………………100 points

Midterm 2 …………….……………………………………………………….……....................................................................…………………………100 points

Final Exam………...…………………………………………………………..…………...................................................................……………………100 points

Attendance……………..………………………………………………..…………...................................................................…………………………...20 points

TOTAL ……………………………………………………………………………....................................................................………………..…………320 points

Grading Scale: 298-320=A; 288-297=A-; 278-287=B+; 265-277=B; 256-264=B-; 246-255=C+; 233-245=C; 224-232=C-; 212-223=D+; 201-211=D; 192-202=D-; < 191=F.

Make-up Policy: There will be no make-ups in this course.  If, for whatever reason, you should miss a midterm examination, the final exam will be counted at 85% in replacing that missing score.  If you miss both midterms, one will be given the grade of ZERO.  No replacement grade will be given for the final exam.  The only exception to this will be for students with OFFICIAL scheduled university activities, and arrangements must be made to do such graded work BEFORE the scheduled date.

Academic Dishonesty: Academic dishonesty of any variety will not be tolerated.  Any instance coming to the attention of the instructor will result in the assignment of an “F” grade for the course, and notification of appropriate Deans.

Disclaimer: We all know how boring long, droning lectures can be.  Teachers can learn a few things from class discussion, too.  But above all, I want this class to be both FUN and INTERESTING for all of us!

The Final Examination for this Class is scheduled for, Tuesday, December at 8:00 AM!  Don’t be late!