Class Notes for Political Science - Introduction to Political Theory | POLS 2300, Exams of Political Theory

Download Class Notes for Political Science - Introduction to Political Theory | POLS 2300 and more Exams Political Theory in PDF only on Docsity! Political Science 2300 Syllabus Last Updated November 20, 2006 Course Title: Political Theory Instructor: Joe A. Green; Mr. Green’s website http://cactus.dixie.edu/green Mr. Green’s Office Phone: 652-7820 Ms. Crowley, the McDonald Building secretary: 652-7815 e-mail: [email protected] Testing Center Phone #: 652-7696 Office Hours: 11:00 to 11:50 am on MWF; 9:00 am to 1:00 pm and 5:00 to 6:00 pm on TH Required Texts: Michael Morgan, ed., Classics of Ethical and Political Theory, Fourth Edition Dixie State College’s Liberal Education Objectives 1 Students will demonstrate knowledge of human development and the human condition. 2. Students will understand the ideas, people, and events in the past that are generally thought to be important. Gifts Gift from students to the teacher can be misinterpreted. While the thought will be appreciated, Mr. Green cannot accept gifts under any circumstances. I would be better for all concerned if they were not offered. 3. Students will develop informed points of view based on knowledge in psychological, social, economic, and/or political theory which can be expressed orally or in writing. POLS 2300 Course Objectives 1. Students will master and appreciate the original ideas and the current relevance of Political Thought. 2. Students will understand the major themes of Political Theory including: · ideas about the nature of politics · ideas about the origin the state · ideas that justify the state · ideas about who should rule · ideas about liberty · ideas about justice 3.Students will demonstrate their mastery of the story and the themes of American Civilization through their: Class Interruptions Please turn off your cell phones, radios, walkmen, and alarms such as watches and palm pilots during class. Electronic disturbances of this class will not be allowed. · performance on exams · written work · attendance and participation in class activities · completion of library assignments 4. Students will relate the concepts, ideas and facts that they acquire in their study of Political Theory to their present life through a deeper understanding of themselves, public issues, and current events. An eminent mathematician once remarked that he was never satisfied with his knowledge of a mathematical theory until he could explain it to the next (person) he met in the street. This is hardly exaggerated; however, we must remember that a satisfactory explanation entails duties on both sides. Student Duties You must commit to a fifteen week program of rigorous study. For the average C+ to B-) Dixie College student, this course will demand two hours out-of-class study for every hour we meet in class or 6 hours a week. This means careful reading: in order to perform well on exams and class assignments you will have to work with your textbook, as opposed to just reading it. It also means you will do college level writing. Finally, you must be willing to consider viewpoints different from your own and to express your opinion in class. Attendance Missing class will involve costs. There will is no such thing as an excused absence even for athletics, forensics, field trips, or other college sponsored activities. As a matter of policy, I will not to go over or in any other way make up lectures or other activities for students who miss class. I will make no adjustments nor will I allow exceptions to policies regarding missing quizzes or exams when the reason is discretionary such as a vacation, the deer hunt, or a visit home. This said, consideration will be given for rescheduling some class activities in the event of school sponsored activities, illness, or accident and if consultation if done privately (in Mr. Green’s office) before the scheduled time of the activity. Special Needs If you are a student with a physical or mental impairment and would like to request accommodations, please contact the Disability Resource Center (652-7516) in Room 201 of the Student Services Center. The Disability Resource Center will determine your eligibility for services based upon complete professional documentation. If you are deemed eligible, the Disability Resource Center will further evaluate the effectiveness of your accommodation requests and will authorize reasonable accommodations that are appropriate for your disability. Grading At the end of the quarter, I must make a judgement concerning how much of the content of the class you have learned. I will use the following formula to make this assessment: $ exams (grade times 40%) $ micro papers (average grade time 30%) $ quizzes (grade times 30%) You must take both exams and turn in all the papers to pass the class. Grade Creation All grades in all the textbook and document quiz categories (above) will be determined using one of the following two methods. First, your score on your will be divided by the high score in the class. If your score is within 95% o f the high, you will receive an A. The breakdown will then descend by percentages of the high until the a score that is 60% of the high earns a D-. However, if the average grade for the class, calculated using the first method, is less than a C, a second method will replace the first. Instead of dividing by the high score, the denominator will be manipulated until the average grade for the class is set near C. Further adjustments will be made if there are several sections of the class and significantly differentiated denominators between the classes. If there are multiple sections of the class that use the same measuring instrument, as when all section take the same exam, the average will calculated from all sections rather than from just your class. Exams Two major exams will be given during the semester accounting for 40% of your grade – the midterm is worth 20% and the final is worth 20%. Exam Schedule Each exam will be administered in the classroom. The Midterm will cover lecture and discussion material for the first half of the semester. It is tentatively scheduled for October 18. The Final will cover lecture and