Foundations of Political Science

Catalog description

This course introduces students to contemporary political problems and how political scientists think about those problems. Students will learn the language of political science including the big themes, concepts, and models that span centuries of political science literature and provide insight into global and domestic political conflict. Students will use the lens of political science to explore concepts such as liberty, equality, justice, rights, individual autonomy, democracy and representation, identity and tolerance, the appropriate role and limits of government, and sovereignty of states in the international system. Although non-democratic forms of governance will be examined, this course will focus on democratic governance - why we chose it, what political practices and reforms can improve it, and how citizens through engagement and dialogue can help to strengthen it. This course will emphasize the relevance of the core concepts of political science in relation to important contested political issues in the US and the global community today. Thematic Thread(s): Citizenship & Social Problems, Transfer Thread Completion Course