Introduction to Politics (Honors)

Introduction to the concepts, terminology, problems, and analytical approaches of the discipline of Political Science.

Class Time & Location

GEH A306

Monday / Wednesday 2:30 - 3:45pm

Office Hours

Tues 1:30-3:30pm

Wed 7-8pm

Thurs 1:30-3:30pm

Contact

Elliott, he/him

elliottschwebach@gmail.com

Mental Health, Accommodations, and Accessibility

Every student has the right to be treated with dignity and compassion. Also, your mental health is vital. I support and encourage anybody experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma, stress and other challenges to reach out for help. I will work with you.

Students with disabilities or special learning needs are encouraged to notify me at the beginning of the course about any assistance that may be required to support their learning. I will assist by making course modifications that will ensure a successful and inclusive learning environment.


受到尊重与体恤是每一位学生应有的权利。此外,你们的心理健康同样至关重要。对于任何正面临焦虑、抑郁、心理创伤、压力及其他挑战的同学,我都十分支持并鼓励你们主动寻求援助。我将为你提供必要的支持,并尽力配合你的需求。


若有同学存在身心障碍或特殊的学习需求,欢迎在开课之初与我沟通,说明为保障您的学习体验可能需要的任何辅助措施。我将予以配合,通过必要的课程调整来提供支持,致力于打造一个良好且具包容性的学习环境。

Reading and Assignments

You may sometimes have homework, and most often it will be reading. Reading is a really important part of this course! Sometimes I will assign in-class reading responses to see if you did the reading and/or in-class reflections to see how you are thinking through the material. These will be graded partially on accuracy and partially on completion. I will help you by identifying what information to look for if I plan on checking your understanding of reading. I am not a hard grader. 

I may also assign other in-class work to be graded on accuracy or completion.

Our big final project will be about applying what we learned in the course to better understanding generative AI. You will get to lead the debate! Most of our work for this will be in-class work, and more information will follow.

你们有时可能会有课后作业,多数情况下是阅读材料。阅读是本课程非常重要的一部分!有时我会在课堂上布置阅读回应练习,以确认你们是否完成了阅读;也可能布置课堂反思练习,以了解你们对课程内容的思考方式。这些练习的评分将部分基于准确性,部分基于完成情况。如果我打算检查你们对阅读内容的理解,我会提前提示你们应关注哪些重点信息,帮助你们做好准备。我评分并不严苛,请不必过度担心。 

此外,我也可能布置其他课堂练习,评分方式为准确性或完成情况。 

本课程的期末大项目将聚焦于运用课程所学,帮助大家更深入地理解生成式人工智能(generative AI)。你们将有机会主导一场辩论活动!该项目的大部分工作将在课堂上完成,具体安排后续会另行通知。

Attendance

Attendance is required. If you have to miss class for an emergency, please send me an email to let me know.

本课程要求必须出勤。若因紧急状况不得不缺席,请务必通过电子邮件向我请假报备。

Course Calendar

Part 1


Intro concepts and history: power, legitimacy, the nation, the state, political socialization, anatomy of political theory

  1. Mon, Aug 31
  2. Wed, Sep 2 
  3. Mon, Sep 7
  4. Wed, Sep 9

Part 2

“Isms” (including liberalism, Marxism, anarchism, fascism, environmental politics, and feminism) and basics of comparative politics and international relations

  1. Mon, Sep 14
  2. Wed, Sep 16
  3. Mon, Sep 21
  4. Wed, Sep 23
  5. Mon, Sep 28
  6. Wed, Sep 30
  7. Mon, Oct 12
  8. Wed, Oct 14
  9. Mon, Oct 19
  10. Wed, Oct 21
  11. Mon, Oct 26
  12. Wed, Oct 28 
  13. Mon, Nov 2
  14. Wed, Nov 4
  15. Mon, Nov 9
  16. Wed, Nov 11 Joint session with Dr. Kevin Spencer: class at 7-9pm instead of normal time
  17. Mon, Nov 16
  18. Wed, Nov 18
  19. Mon, Nov 23

Part 3

Applied project: politics of AI and debate

  1. Wed, Nov 25
  2. Mon, Nov 30
  3. Wed, Dec 2
  4. Mon, Dec 7
  5. Wed, Dec 9
  6. Mon, Dec 14
  7. Wed, Dec 16 TBD

Grading Breakdown

Attendance and Participation: 35%

Reading Responses and other In-Class Work: 35%

Final Project: 30%

Final Grade Scale

93-100

A

90-92.9

A-

87-89.9

B+

83-86.9

B

80-82.9

B-

77-79.9

C+

73-76.9

C

70-72.9

C-

67-69.9

D+

63-66.9

D

60-62.9

D-

Below 60

F

Art from unsplash.com

Incl. translations by Stella Wong ("Mental Health, Accommodations, and Accessibility," "Attendance")

"Reading and Assignments" translated by Claude