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POLS102 INTRODUCTION TO POLITICAL SCIENCES
Full Course Title:
Introduction to Political Sciences
Uvod u političke nauke
Course Code:
Course Level/BiH cycle:
ECTS credit value:
POLS102
I cycle; 1st or 2nd year
6
Student work-load:
For the whole semester:
Length:
Faculty/School/Department:
Lectures
Tutorial /
Practical training
Project
Individual
learning
TOTAL
45
15
15
75
150
Fall 2013
FASS; Social and Political Sciences
Course leader:
Prof.Dr. Mesut Idriz
Contact details:
Office:
F2.23
e-mail:
imesut@ius.edu.ba
Any time
Office hours:
Site:
Phone:
Lectures: IUS main campus building – F2.14
Tutorial: F2.14
Host Study Program:
Social and Political Sciences
Course status:
Program required course
Pre-requisites:
None
Access restrictions:
I cycle students only
Assessment:
Quizzes, Project paper, presentations, exams.
Date validated:
September, 2013
Course aims:
The aims of this course are:

To give students an understanding of the recent history of political sciences

To enable students to compare and contrast the major Political sciences theories and
to be able to apply them to explain events and developments

To help students understand how these seemingly abstract debates actually deal
with experiences in our everyday lives
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

Learning outcomes:
Indicative syllabus content:
Learning delivery:
Assessment Rationale:
Assessment Weighting:
To give students and understanding of major institutions and issues in political
sciences
To cultivate students’ ability to think critically
On successful completion of this course IUS student will be able:

To analyze basic concepts and approaches to the study of political science.

To apply them towards the analysis of current political issues, disputes and trends.

To comprehend functioning of institutions, the state and government and its
branches, political parties and party systems.
Introduction to the study of politics, its methodology and boundaries. This is a foundational course
in political science. Its purpose is to familiarize students with the basic concepts and approaches to
the study of political science. The course will focus on political institutions, the state, its nature
and characteristics, forms of government and its branches, political parties and party systems. A
significant emphasize will be placed on the ability to apply these concept towards the analysis of
current political issues, disputes and trends.
This course employs a range of teaching and learning methods (lecturing, written assignments,
presentations, peer presentation analyses, essays, group discussions, article,
presentation/analysis). Students have three hours lectures and one hour practical training a week.
Students are also expected to realise two different projects (to be arranged with professor).
Learning will consist of knowledge acquisition and practical knowledge gained from the class
discussions and debates. Consultations and regular homework assignments will guide students’
individual learning and students’ progression in acquiring required knowledge and practice will be
additionally checked through midterm and final exams.
In order to provide solid graduate foundation for IUS students and to enable them to develop a
critical and evaluative understanding of complexity of politics and issues and dilemmas, students
are expected to demonstrate commitment and diligence at any time whichever module they take,
therefore appropriate assessment methods to help students to stay focused and active, and fully
benefit from the Program include presentations, project paper writing, homeworks, quizzes,
exams. Those methods will check their historical, analytical and comparative skills and acquisition
of above mentioned terms and concepts, as well as their ability to apply them to other scientific
fields.
Participation:
10%
Movie Analysis:
20%
Midterm:
30%
Final exam:
40%
•
Essential Reading:
Michael Roskin, Robert Cord, James Medeiros and Walter Jones,
Political Science: An Introduction (10th ed.), New Jersey: Pearson
Prentice Hill, 2008.
Recommended readings:
Intranet web reference:
N/A
Important notes:
Expected knowledge of:
1. Writing and communication ability
2. Basic knowledge related to terminology used in political sciences
Course policies:
Assignments: Each student should complete their assignment on time.
Lateness in Assignments: The due date and time for each homework will be specified on
the assignment handout itself. Late submissions will be penalized by decreasing
homework grades accordingly.
Academic Integrity: Any cheating on examinations or quizzes or offering the work of
another as one's own in an assignment is regarded as a serious offence to the academic
integrity.
Important dates:
Midterm exam: 20/11/13
Research Projects: 30/12/13
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Final exam: 15th week
Quality Assurance:
Student surveys, discussion on course, student appeals, e-mails, direct (formal) feedback at the
end of the semester by students, assistants and other colleagues
Course schedule:
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Week
Lesson
/ Date
Topics to be covered
Class activities
Lab
Problems/
Readings
activities Assignments
(Homework)
Learning objectives
(After this lesson
student will be able to:)
1
07/10/13 Introduction to the Course
Lecturing
No lab
activities
1. Identify key terms and
concepts.
2. Explain the conception
of politics.
3. Describe and discuss
main features of
politics
4. Explain how to study
politics
2
14/10/13
A Science of Politics
Lecturing
No lab
activities
3
21/10/13
Nations, States and Governments
Lecturing
No lab
activities
4
28/10/13
Lecturing
No lab
activities
5
04/11/13
Political Ideologies
Lecturing
No lab
activities
6
11/11/13
Political Culture and Public Opinion
Lecturing
No lab
activities
Democracy, Totalitarianism, and
Authoritarianism
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7
18/11/13
Midterm Exam
8
25/11/13
Political parties and Party Systems
Lecturing
No lab
activities
9
02/12/13
Basic Institutions of Government
Lecturing
No lab
activities
10
09/12/13
Legislatures
Lecturing
No lab
activities
11
16/12/13
Administration and Bureaucracy
Lecturing
No lab
activities
12
23/12/13
International Relations
Lecturing
No lab
activities
13
30/12/13
Movie Analysis
Lecturing
No lab
activities
14
06/01/14
Review
Presentations
No lab
activities
15
13/01/13
15/01/13
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