Note:
Course content may be changed, term to term, without
notice. The information below is provided as a guide
for course selection and is not binding in any form,
and should not be used to purchase course materials.
GOVT 492 Course Syllabus
COURSE SYLLABUS
GOVT 492
SENIOR SEMINAR
COURSE DESCRIPTION
The capstone course in Government provides—in the context of a biblical Christian
worldview—an overview, discussion, and evaluation of leading figures, theories, subfields, and
schools of thought within the broad field of political science.
RATIONALE
Throughout his or her undergraduate career, the Government student is required to complete a
series of thematic courses that provide detailed accounts of very specific aspects of the discipline
of political science. As the Senior Seminar which culminates that undergraduate experience,
GOVT 492 serves as a capstone course specifically designed to grant the student a panoramic
view of all of the major concepts to which he or she has been exposed. This course delivers the
opportunity to see how each topic fits into the grand scheme of governance as articulated by
authorities within the discipline, thus allowing the student to process those ideas into a cohesive
understanding and to do so from a biblically informed frame of reference.
I.
PREREQUISITE
For information regarding prerequisites for this course, please refer to the Academic
Course Catalog.
II.
REQUIRED RESOURCE PURCHASE
Click on the following link to view the required resource(s) for the term in which you are
registered: http://bookstore.mbsdirect.net/liberty.htm
III.
IV.
ADDITIONAL MATERIALS FOR LEARNING
A.
Computer with basic audio/video output equipment
B.
Internet access (broadband recommended)
C.
Microsoft Office
D.
Computer microphone or other digital audio recording device
MEASURABLE LEARNING OUTCOMES
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
A.
Evaluate a variety of concepts and approaches to the study of political science, its
various subfields, and such related fields as history, geography, and economics.
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GOVT 492 Course Syllabus
V.
B.
Integrate an understanding of the forces, institutions, and individuals, both
domestic and international, which help shape the political environment and the
development of public policy.
C.
Identify the role that a biblical, Christian worldview perspective plays in the
analyzing of various competing political ideologies and programs that vie for
political influence and public support.
D.
Synthesize biblical, philosophical, and practical principles of government and
politics.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND ASSIGNMENTS
A.
Textbook readings and lecture presentations
B.
Course Requirements Checklist
After reading the Course Syllabus and Student Expectations, the student will
complete the related checklist found in Module/Week 1.
C.
Discussion Board Forums (2)
Discussion boards are collaborative learning experiences. Therefore, the student is
required to submit a thread in response to the provided prompt for each forum.
Each thread must be at least 500 words, demonstrate course-related knowledge,
and include at least 5 citations in current Turabian format. In addition to the
thread, the student is required to reply to 2 classmates’ threads. Each reply must
be at least 250 words and include at least 2 citations in current Turabian format.
Acceptable sources include the course textbooks and other scholarly publications
in addition to the Bible.
D.
Terminology Recognition
The student will complete a 2-part crossword puzzle that allows him or her to
demonstrate recognition of concepts associated with the various subfields of
political science.
E.
Self-Identification Assessment
The student will complete an interactive activity that will assist him or her in
identifying his or her political subfield leanings.
F.
Podcasts (3)
The student will prepare 10-minute podcasts on political science topics in his or
her subfield of interest. For each podcast, the student must submit the audio file
along with an outline and a podcast script.
G.
Systematic Literature Review
The student will write a research-based paper in current Turabian format that
focuses on a systematic review of key questions confronting his or her subfield of
interest. This assignment will be completed in the following stages:
Topic Proposal
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GOVT 492 Course Syllabus
The student will submit a research question on a topic related to the
political science subfield identified during his or her Self-Identification
Assessment.
Initial List of References
The student will compile at least 25 prospective sources other than the
course textbooks and the Bible that discuss the pertinent aspects of his or
her research question. Citations must follow current Turabian format.
Annotated Bibliography
The student will develop an annotated bibliography that provides a
narrative account of the following for each source identified in the Initial
List of References: the nature of the studies assessed, the type of data
used, the methodology, and the findings that were generated. Citations
must follow current Turabian format.
Final
The student will submit a final paper. The paper must be at least 10 pages,
include at least 25 sources in addition to the course textbooks and the
Bible, and follow current Turabian format. The page count does not
include the title page or reference list.
H.
Political Research Literacy Exam
This exam will cover the Reading & Study material for the assigned
module/week. The exam will be open-book/open-notes and contain 30 short
answer questions and 2 essay questions. The time limit will be 2 hours and 30
minutes.
VI.
COURSE GRADING AND POLICIES
A.
Points
Course Requirements Checklist
Discussion Board Forums (2 at 75 pts ea)
Terminology Recognition
Self-Identification Assessment
Podcasts (3 at 95 pts ea)
Systematic Literature Review
Topic Proposal
Initial List of References
Annotated Bibliography
Final
Political Research Literacy Exam
10
150
20
20
285
Total
B.
25
50
100
250
100
1010
Scale
A = 900–1010 B = 800–899 C = 700–799 D = 600–699 F = 0–599
C.
Late Assignment Policy
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GOVT 492 Course Syllabus
If the student is unable to complete an assignment on time, then he or she must
contact the instructor immediately by email.
Assignments that are submitted after the due date without prior approval from the
instructor will receive the following deductions:
1.
Late assignments submitted within one week of the due date will
receive a 10% deduction.
2.
Assignments submitted more than one week late will receive a 20%
deduction.
3.
Assignments submitted two weeks late or after the final date of the
course will not be accepted.
4.
Late Discussion Board threads or replies will not be accepted.
Special circumstances (e.g. death in the family, personal health issues) will be
reviewed by the instructor on a case-by-case basis.
D.
Disability Assistance
Students with a documented disability may contact Liberty University Online’s
Office of Disability Academic Support (ODAS) at LUOODAS@liberty.edu to
make arrangements for academic accommodations. Further information can be
found at www.liberty.edu/disabilitysupport.
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GOVT 492 Course Schedule
COURSE SCHEDULE
GOVT 492
Textbooks: Goodin, The Oxford Handbook of Political Science (2009).
McDonald, Acknowledging God in the Decisions of State (2015).
Reimer et al., The Challenge of Politics: An Introduction to Political Science (2014).
MODULE/
WEEK
READING & STUDY
1
Goodin: ch. 1
McDonald: ch. 1
Reimer et al.: chs. 1–4
1 presentation
Course Requirements Checklist
Class Introductions
Terminology Recognition
Self-Identification Assessment
Podcast 1
10
0
20
20
95
2
Goodin: chs. 2–6
McDonald: ch. 2
Reimer et al.: chs. 5–8
1 presentation
SLR – Topic Proposal
25
3
Goodin: chs. 7–16
McDonald: ch. 3
Reimer et al.: chs. 9–10
1 presentation
DB Forum 1
75
4
Goodin: chs. 17–26
McDonald: ch. 4
Reimer et al.: chs. 11–12
1 presentation
DB Forum 2
SLR – Initial List of References
75
50
5
Goodin: chs. 27–37
McDonald: ch. 5
Reimer et al.: chs. 13–14
1 presentation
Podcast 2
95
6
Goodin: chs. 38–47
McDonald: ch. 6
Reimer et al.: chs. 15–16
1 presentation
SLR – Annotated Bibliography
100
ASSIGNMENTS
POINTS
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GOVT 492 Course Schedule
MODULE/
WEEK
READING & STUDY
7
Goodin: chs. 48–51
McDonald: chs. 7–8
1 presentation
8
Goodin: ch. 52, Appendices
McDonald: Conclusion
1 presentation
ASSIGNMENTS
POINTS
Podcast 3
Political Research Literacy Exam
95
100
SLR – Final
250
TOTAL
1010
DB = Discussion Board
SLR = Systematic Literature Review
NOTE: Each course module/week (except Module/Week 1) begins on Tuesday morning at 12:00
a.m. (ET) and ends on Monday night at 11:59 p.m. (ET). The final module/week ends at
11:59 p.m. (ET) on Friday.
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