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POLS 101/INTRODUCTION TO POLITICAL SCIENCE I
Fall 2013
Instructor: Assistant Professor Dr. Umut Özkaleli
Class Time & Location: FEAS 306 Section 1 Monday: 9:00-11:50 Section 2 Tuesday: 13:00-15:50
Office and Office Hours: 404 (FEAS Building) Monday: 13:00- 15:00 pm and by Appointment.
Email: umut.ozkaleli@zirve.edu.tr
COURSE DESCRIPTION AND SYLLABUS
In this course we will learn principal concepts, theories and arguments related to political
science. This is an introductory course; therefore, we will cover wide variety of concepts such as
democracy, state, politics, representation, constitution, law and civic culture. We will also learn
meaning and importance of power, its source and agents in political life; the relationship
between state and society and political ideologies. Throughout the course we will continuously
examine, compare and contrast concepts and theories. In order to have a deeper
understanding of politics we will analyze newspapers and apply theories and concepts to real
political events. Reading materials will be supplemented by media clips relevant to the topics.
Course Objectives:
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Develop an understanding of political science;
Develop analytical thinking about relevance of concepts to real life events;
Encourage deeper examination of concepts and issues relevant to politics and political
ideologies.
Course Policy and Procedures
Classroom Etiquette
Please come to class on time and prepared. Turn off (or silence) cell phones, pagers, beepers,
etc. Remain in class unless you have an emergency. Respect yourself and others and create a
productive learning experience by refraining from by side conversations, passing notes, playing
video games, reading e- mail or news papers, listening I-pods, etc. You will be expected to keep
a balance between arguing your own position on issues, listening to others, and helping the
class function as a collectivity. Our learning experience and classroom principles involve
standing up and rejecting racism, ethnocentrism, sexism, ageism, ableism, and heterosexism.
Required Text:
Politics by Andrew Heywood (2nd edition), 2002 New Yrk: Palgrave Foundations.
POLS 101: Intro to Pol.Sci
Instructor: Dr. Umut Özkaleli
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Requirements:
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2 Mid-Term exams (25 % each)
Final Exam (40 %)
Quiz (10 %)
Course Schedule
Week 1 (23-24 September)- Introduction to the course/IcebreakerWeek 2 (30 Sept-1 October)- Locating self as a political being
Week 3 (7-8 Oct)- Chapter 1: What is Politics
Week 4 (14-15 Oct)- HOLIDAY
Week 5 (21-22 Oct)- Chapter 2: Governments, Systems and Regimes
Week 6 (28-29 Oct)- Gov’t, Systems & Regimes 29 Oct-HOLIDAY
Week 7 (4-5 November)- Chapter 3: Political Ideologies
Week 8 (11-12 Nov)- Political Ideologies
Week 9 (18-19 Nov) MID-TERM Exam WEEK
Week 10 (25-26 Nov) - Chapter 4: Democracy
Week 11 (2-3 December)- Chapter 5: The State
Week 12 (9-10 Dec)- Chapter 10: Political Culture, Communication and Legitimacy
Week 13 (16-17 Dec)- Mid-Term Exam II
Week 14 (23-24 Dec)- Chapter 6: Constitutions, the Law and Judiciaries
Week 15 (30-31 Dec)- Review and Q and A
POLS 101: Intro to Pol.Sci
Instructor: Dr. Umut Özkaleli