PS 1010 INTRODUCTION TO POLITICS I
Instructor: Dr. Charles Boateng
Office: J-105D
Fall 2009
Phone: 908-737-3997
908-737-3990 e-mail : cboateng@kean.edu
Office Hours: T, 5:45 – 6:45 PM
W, 2:00 – 4:00 PM, Th., 5:45 – 7:45 PM
COURSE OBJECTIVES
This course is designed to introduce students to the field of Political Science. Specifically, the course will emphasize the concepts, problems, theory, terminology, practice, analysis, approaches, and methodology utilized in the Political Science field.
A thorough familiarity with these basic elements of the field of Political Science will provide the basic level of understanding and preparation necessary to pursue advanced Political Science curriculum.
Furthermore, this course will enable the student to understand what politics and government are all about (and what they are not).
REQUIRED TEXTBOOKS
POLITICAL ISSUES DEBATED: AN INTRODUCTION TO POLITICAL
SCIENCE, by Herbert Levine, 4th edition. Prentice-Hall, 1993.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
I expect each student to do the assigned readings and come prepared to participate in class discussion. Also, it is important if you wish to get the most out of this course to be in attendance.
It is my experience that students who skip classes generally perform poorly. My recommendation then is that it is in your own best interest to attend lectures regularly, and also on time.
There will be TWO mid-term tests and a final exam. Each mid-term test will count 30% and the comprehensive final exam will also count 30% towards the final grade. Make-up tests will not be allowed except in verified cases of illness and other unforeseeable circumstances beyond the student's control. While the mid-term tests and the final exam will be a combination of multiple choice, matching, true or false, and several short essay questions, make-up tests will be essay in format and much more difficult. The remaining 10% will be earned through class attendance and participation.

GRADE DISTRIBUTION
To follow is the approximate distribution of grades. However, in formulating the final grade, consideration will be given to significant progress where appropriate.
Mid-term test #1............. 30% 92-100...A 76-79...B-
Mid-term test #2............. 30% 88-91....A- 72-75...C+
Final exam................... 30% 84-87....B+ 67-71...C
Attendance/Participation.....10% 80-83....B 60-66...D
Below 60..F
Dates to Remember:
Sept. 9 - Last day to WD with 100% refund.
Sept. 16 - Last day to WD with 75% refund
Sept. 23 - Last day to declare course as an audit, P/F option.
Sept. 23 - Last day to WD with 50% refund, declare course as PF/Audit
Oct. 30 - Last day to withdraw with WD grade.
Students are responsible for becoming familiar with, and will be held accountable for, the Kean
University Academic Integrity Policy and the Student Code of Conduct. The Academic Integrity
Policy is available at www.kean.edu/forms/AcademicIntegrity,pdf or the Web site for The guide at www.kean.edu/publications/TheGuide2007.pdf
., and the Student Code of Conduct is available at www.kean.edu/~conduct or the Web site for The Guide at www.kean.edu/publications/Theguide2007.pdf
.

MAJOR TOPICS AND READING ASSIGNMENTS
TOPIC READING ASSIGNMENT
I. Politics, Government, and Nations
Politics and Government
Nations
Ch. 1
Ch. 2
II. Forms of Government
Democracy and Dictatorship
III. Ideology
Capitalism, Socialism, and Communism
Liberalism, Conservatism, and Fascism
IV. State and Citizen
Ch. 3
Ch. 5
Ch. 4
Political Culture, Political
Socialization & Public Opinion
Civil Liberties
Political Parties and Elections
Interest Groups
V. Government Institutions
Federalism
Parliamentary and Presidential
Systems
VI. International Politics
International Politics: Motivations
International Politics: Instruments
and Constraints
Ch. 6
Ch. 7
Ch. 8
Ch. 9
Ch. 10
Ch. 11
Ch. 13
Ch. 14