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University of Ottawa
Political Science 1101 A
Introduction to Political Science
Professor: Wolfgang Koerner
Session: Spring 2014
May 1 – June 14
Course Schedule: Tuesday 9:00 – 12:00; Thursday 9:00 – 12:00
Course Location: STE H0104
Office Hours: Before and After Class or by Appointment
Telephone: 613-220-2583; Home: 613-822-3341
E-mail: wkoerner@uottawa.ca
Protocol for Deadline Extensions, Absence from Examinations due to illness, or Personal
Issues: A medical certificate validated by University of Ottawa Health Services is required for
any exemption, extension, make-up test, etc. – or else in the case of a personal crisis, a letter
from the University’s counseling service. Give your professor the official University of Ottawa
medical certificate or counselor’s letter. Do not bring notes from your family doctor to the
professor; please take them to the University Health Service. This way your personal details
remain confidential, and your professor can treat all students equally by accepting all official
University of Ottawa certificates.
Electronic Devices: Please keep cell phones turned off and no “texting” during class.
Otherwise lap-tops and recording devices may be used.
Student Services: There are a variety of student services available to help students with writing skills
and personal issues. Students are encouraged to familiarize with these resources. The Student
Resources Centers aim to fulfill all sorts of student needs; http://www.community. Students are also
expected to familiarize themselves with the rules regarding plagiarism. For more information, refer to:
http//www.uottawa.ca/academic/info/newsletter/fraud_e.html.
E-Mails: These will be answered as quickly as possible – normally within a day or two of receipt.
However, nuisance e-mails will not be entertained. For example: could you send me a copy of the
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course outline or study questions; where is the exam being held; could you review my essay or exam,
etc. E-mails should be of a relatively serious nature. Questions concerning course content should be
asked in class but will be responded to if e-mailed. All relevant documentation pertaining to the course,
such as study questions will be distributed in class and not by e-mail. Should you not be able to be in
class to pick them up have one of your fellow students do it for you.
Official Course Description: Comparative study of the ideas, concepts and issues leading to an
understanding of political phenomena and of their impact on the lives of individuals and societies.
Examined will be concepts such as power, citizenship and political participation. Introduction to
research tasks (e.g. bibliographic research, writing a research paper or report).
Specific Course Objectives: To provide students with enough of an introduction to the discipline to
enable them to comfortably continue their studies in more specialized courses.
Evaluation: Course requirements will consist of two examinations worth 50% each of the final grade.
The first will be a take home examination. Students will be expected to answer 2 questions,
approximately 4 to 5 pages each (double spaced). The questions will be distributed in class on May 22nd
and are due May 27th Late submissions will not be accepted. The second will be a final exam during the
final examination period. For the final exam students will be expected to answer 2 questions to be
drawn from a list distributed ahead of time. Students will also be permitted to bring a “cheat sheet” to
the examination. These sheets are to be one page, single sided and 12 pt. font. The study list will
consist of 3 to 4 questions and two of these same questions will appear on the exam. Study questions
for the final exam will be distributed June 12th
Grade components: Mid-term exam: 50% (25% for each question). Final: 50% (25% for each
question). The overall evaluation will then consist of four components worth 25% each of the overall
grade.
It is the responsibility of students to familiarize themselves with rules governing plagiarism and the
standards for writing papers and examinations. With respect to the latter, the expectation is that
examinations will be written according to the norms of proper grammar, sentence and paragraph
structure, and spelling. Course requirements will be discussed in detail in class.
Attendance Sheet: Students must sign an attendance sheet at each of the examinations.
Required Text:
George A. Maclean and Duncan R. Wood, Politics, An Introduction.
(The text may be purchased at Benjamin Books, 122 Osgoode St. 613-232-7495)
General Reading and Organization:
1. Origins of Political Thought: Chapter 3
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2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
 The Ancient Greeks
 The unique nature of political thinking
 Participation
 Authority
The State and Politics: Chapters 4 and 9
 Legitimacy
 Obedience
 The nation state and sovereignty
Political Ideology and Mass Society: Chapter 3
 Liberalism
 Conservatism
 Socialism/Marxism
 Mass Society and Totalitarianism
International Politics: Chapters 10, 11, 12
 War and Political Violence
 Terrorism
 Failed States
 The Responsibility to Protect
Citizenship and Political Culture: Chapter 8
 Citizenship
 Canadian Political Culture
Government Institutions: Chapters 5, 6
 The nature of constitutions
 Parliament and Congress
 The legislative process
Political Parties and Interest Groups: Chapter 7
 Types of Parties
 Interest Groups
Given the nature of the examinations it is important that students keep abreast of their
readings and class lectures. There are no “make-up” exams in this course.
Students are also encouraged to avail themselves of the various Student Resource Centers:
Mentoring Centre, and the Academic Writing Help Centre.
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