University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
Curriculum Proposal Form #3
New Course
Effective Term:
2103 (Summer 2010)
Subject Area - Course Number: POLISCI 101
Cross-listing:
(See Note #1 below)
Course Title: (Limited to 65 characters)
Introduction to Political Science
25-Character Abbreviation:
IntroPoliticalScience
Sponsor(s):
Susan Johnson
Department(s):
Political Science
College(s):
Letters and Sciences
Consultation took place:
NA
Programs Affected:
Yes (list departments and attach consultation sheet)
Departments:
Political Science
Is paperwork complete for those programs? (Use "Form 2" for Catalog & Academic Report updates)
NA
Yes
Prerequisites:
will be at future meeting
None
Grade Basis:
Conventional Letter
S/NC or Pass/Fail
Course will be offered:
Part of Load
On Campus
Above Load
Off Campus - Location
College:
Letters and Sciences
Instructor:
Susan Johnson
Dept/Area(s): Political Science
Note: If the course is dual-listed, instructor must be a member of Grad Faculty.
Check if the Course is to Meet Any of the Following:
Technological Literacy Requirement
Diversity
Writing Requirement
General Education Option: Select one:
Note: For the Gen Ed option, the proposal should address how this course relates to specific core courses, meets the goals of General Education
in providing breadth, and incorporates scholarship in the appropriate field relating to women and gender.
Credit/Contact Hours: (per semester)
Total lab hours:
Number of credits:
0
1
Total lecture hours:
Total contact hours:
16
16
Can course be taken more than once for credit? (Repeatability)
No
Yes
If "Yes", answer the following questions:
No of times in major:
No of times in degree:
No of credits in major:
No of credits in degree:
1
Proposal Information: (Procedures for form #3)
Course justification:
The College of Letters and Sciences has encouraged departments to develop courses that introduce
students to their major. This course is modeled on the very successful course offered by the Geography
Department. In surveys of alumni we have found that many of them indicate that an introduction to the
major – early in their academic career – would have provided a richer overall experience as Political
Science majors. Further, alumni that we have invited to speak at career night have stressed that providing
information to students sooner rather than later will better prepare them for careers in politics,
government and law as well as other related fields.
Relationship to program assessment objectives:
This course addresses key assessment objectives in the Political Science Department:
Subject Matter Objectives: This course is linked to the subject matter objective that all majors
will have an understanding of the breadth of knowledge of the discipline of political science.
While the substantive courses provide the depth of knowledge, this course will introduce
students to the breadth of the discipline.
Cognitive Development Objectives: This course is linked to the cognitive development objective
that all majors will have acquired the analytical skills needed for the analysis of political
phenomena. The course will introduce students to the major fields in the discipline as well as the
different approaches to research in the discipline.
Skills Objectives: This course is linked to the skill objective that all majors will be prepared for
employment, graduate school, and/or professional school. This early introduction to internship,
professional school, and employment information will help students better plan their course of
study.
Budgetary impact:
The course will be taught as a one credit overload (Dean Mary Pinkerton indicated a willingness to
support this course as an overload.) or faculty will be able to ‘bank’ the credits toward a course release
after teaching it three times.
Course description: (50 word limit)
Introduction to Political Science introduces students to the specialties within political science,
outlines the academic emphases within the major and associated requirements, and explores
public and private sector opportunities in the field of political science.
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Course objectives (listed in syllabus below) and tentative course syllabus:
Political Science 101: Introduction to Political Science
INSTRUCTOR:
OFFICE HOURS:
PREREQUISITE:
None
DESCRIPTION:
Introduction to Political Science introduces students to the specialties within political
science, outlines the academic emphases within the major and associated requirements,
and explores public and private sector opportunities in the field of political science.
Required of all majors at earliest opportunity. The course meets for one and one-half
hours per week for 8 weeks and is worth one credit.
ATTENDANCE:
Attendance is required and will be taken at each class. Late work will not be accepted
and there will not be an opportunity to make up missed work.
GRADING:
The final grade will be determined from the cumulative points achieved on class
exercises. Grade Scale:
A = 93 and above
A- = 90-92
B+ = 87-89
B = 83-86
B- = 80-82
C+ = 77-79
C = 73-76
C- = 70-72
D+ = 67-69
D = 63-66
D- = 60-62
F = 59 and below
GRADE BREAKDOWN: Participation/Attendance
Homework assignments (4)
20%
80%
Course Objectives:
1) Students will meet all political science faculty and learn about their research and teaching areas of
expertise.
2) Students will learn about the five major areas within political science
(e.g., American government, political philosophy, comparative politics, international relations, and public
policy and administration)
3) Students will learn about academic tracks within the major and associated requirements and opportunities,
such as honors, advising, internships, scholarships, and job opportunities
4) Students will develop an initial program plan for their degree including discussion of complementary
minors
5) Students will meet other political science majors
COURSE OUTLINE
Sept 16:
Department tour, Academic requirements, meeting with faculty
Sept 23:
Political Science Student Association presentation/interaction; meeting with faculty
Sept 30:
Undergraduate Catalog, honors program, specializations within the major, possible
minors, certificates
Assignment: short paper identifying and explaining choice of major
and career goals associated with major
Oct 7:
Advising requirements
Oct 14:
Research and writing expectations, digital library tour
Assignment: library search for journal titles
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Oct 21:
Scholarships, non-traditional study opportunities, Study Abroad, and undergraduate
research opportunities
Assignment: select one ‘additional opportunity’ (i.e. study abroad, undergraduate
research, etc.) and write a short paper on UWW’s programs in that area
Oct 28:
Panel of recent interns
Nov 4:
Internships, portfolios, job opportunities –
Assignment: electronic and paper search for possible job or internship
opportunities
The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater is dedicated to a safe, supportive, and nondiscriminatory learning environment. It is the responsibility of all undergraduate and
graduate students to familiarize themselves with University policies regarding Special
Accommodations, Misconduct, Religious Beliefs Accommodation, Discrimination, and
Absence for University Sponsored Events. (For details please refer to the Undergraduate
and Graduate Timetables; the “Rights and Responsibilities” section of the
Undergraduate Bulletin; the Academic Requirements and Policies and the Facilities and
Services sections of the Graduate Bulletin; and the “Student Academic Disciplinary
Procedures” [UWS Chapter 14]; and the “Student Nonacademic Disciplinary
Procedures” [UWS Chapter 17]).
Bibliography: (Key or essential references only. Normally the bibliography should be no more than one or two
pages in length.)
Babbie, Earl. 2007. The Practice of Social Research, 12th ed. Belmont: Wadsworth.
Banks, Arthur S. ed. Political Handbook of the World. Binghamton: CSA Publications.
Barone, Michael, and Grant Ujifusa. The Almanac of American Politics. Washington,
Annual.
D.C.: National Journal.
Congressional Quarterly Almanac. Washington, D.C.: Congressional Quarterly. (Andersen Library has two CQ
databases that are constantly updated with a
Variety of materials).
hooks, bell. Feminism Is for Everybody: Passionate Politics. South End Press.
Lim, Timothy C. 2006. Doing Comparative Politics: An Introduction to Approaches and Issues.
Lynne Reinner.
Boulder, CO:
McKenna, George and Stanley, Feingold. 2009. Taking Sides: Clashing Views on Controversial Political Issues. 16th
ed. New York: McGraw-Hill.
Rourke, John T. 2008. Taking Sides: Clashing Views in World Politics, 14th ed. New
Shively, Phillips W. 2008. Power and Choice. 11th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill.
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York: McGraw-Hill.