University of the Philippines Visayas

College of Arts and Sciences

DIVISION OF SOCIAL SCIENCES
Miag-ao, Iloilo

Course Outline for Political Science 11 (Introduction to Political Science)

Instructor: Hanibal Eguico Camua Term: 1st Semester, AY 2013-2014

Class Meetings: TF 1:00 – 2:30 Room: R102
Section: 1 Credits: 3 Units
Consultation Hours: Office: DSS Faculty Room, CAS
MTh 10:00 – 11:30am and
1:00 – 2:30pm (City Campus)
TF 10:00 – 11:00am and
3:00 – 4:00pm (Miag-ao Campus)

General Course Description: This course is an introductory course to the field of Political Science,
being one of the oldest and most studied subjects in the area of social sciences. The course provides and
general and introductory discussions to the different subfields of the discipline including political
philosophy and theory, comparative government and politics, international relations and global politics,
public administration and public policy, political dynamics and political processes. The course is
categorically divided into five (5) areas of study and further enriched by case studies and readings to
facilitate further appreciation and maximize learning.

Course Objectives: The course is designed to introduce students to the field of political science as a
academic discipline. It seeks to familiarize students with the basic concepts and theories in political
science and to develop the faculty of analytical reflection of the application of these concepts and
theories in the real world scenario. By the end of the semester, it is expected that students are able:

1. to identify, analyze and understand the key concepts, theories, frameworks and paradigms in
Political Science in general and its subfields in particular;

2. to understand and analyze the dynamics and interrelationships among the different subfields
and areas of study of the discipline;

3. to familiarize themselves with the different approaches and methods utilized in the study of
Political Science and develop the necessary analytical and critical skills (reading, thinking, speaking and
writing) required of the course, and;

4. to be abreast and updated with the current issues, events and challenges in Political Science,
and to be able to dissect, analyze and offer possible solutions to these.

Course Assessment and Grade Components

Quizzes and Assignments (10%): To check if students are prepared and have read about the assigned
topic, there will be surprise quizzes from time to time. Assignments will be given either individual
or group output. Details and specifics about this will be discussed by the instructor before giving
assignments or outputs.

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 Class Participation (10%): It is the responsibility of every student to be prepared when coming to
class. This requires that you have read, understood and analyzed the assigned topic/s for the
meeting. Names will be called based on random picking of index cards. Once called, it is expected
that you contribute to the class discussion, be it an argument, question or rebuttal about the topic.

Examinations (40%) – There will be two (2) examinations for this course with equal grade
percentages. Coverage of the midterm exam will be topics and discussion made from the first day of
class to until the end of Part IV of the course outline. The final exam, on the other hand shall be a
comprehensive examination covering all topics and discussions undertaken throughout the course.
These examinations may be written, oral, or both.

Case Study Oral Presentation (20%) – Students (in pairs) will be assigned to case studies to be orally
presented in class. Topics and assigned presenters will be randomly selected. Assigned presenters
should compose a detailed outline for the case study presentation and should be consulted to the
instructor for approval. The oral presentation should not exceed 15 minutes. Visual aids are
required to facilitate better analytic understanding thus triggering an academic exchange of ideas.

Case Study Report Paper (20%) - Pairs assigned to case studies are required to submit a 15-page
report paper at least 1 meeting before their scheduled oral presentation. Failure to have the outline
approved before the required date of submission of the report paper will mean forfeiture of oral
presentation and the report paper as well.

Grading Policy and Conversion of Grades: No grade of “INC” will be given to this class for the reason
that submission dates and deadlines are final and non- negotiable. Students/ groups who failed to pass
a certain requirement on time will incur “0%” for that specific requirement. Table for conversion of
grades is as follows:

PERCENTAGE FINAL GRADE

100% 1.0
95-99% 1.25
90-94% 1.5
85-89% 1.75
80-84% 2.0
75-79% 2.25
70-74% 2.5
65-69% 2.75
60-64% 3.0
55-59% 4.0
54% and below 5.0

Class Rules and Regulations

1. Since this is a lecture course, attendance is mandatory. Students with more than six (6)
unexcused absences will automatically incur a grade of “5.0” unless he/she formally drops the course.
Coming to class 15 minutes after the bell/buzzer sounded is considered late. Three (3) late marks is
equivalent to one (1) absent mark.

2. Submission dates and deadlines for this class are final and non-negotiable. Late submission of
papers/output will NOT be accepted. The entire course will be guided by a schedule of activities and
submission dates / deadlines to be determined by consensus of the class with approval of the

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instructor. If there would be unavoidable interruptions on our pre-scheduled activities, a make-up class
will be scheduled with the time and place convenient to all. When in doubt, ask.

3. Mobile phones and other gadgets must be set in silent mode or better be turned off while
inside the class so as not to disrupt the classroom activity/discussion. In case you need to make or take
a very important call, kindly excuse yourself from the class and conduct your business outside.

4. The standard format for ALL outputs/papers in this course is formal format following the
APA style. These should be printed in A4 sized paper, Book Atiqua size 12 font. Plagiarism and cheating
are serious academic offenses and is punishable by a grade of “5.0” and expulsion from the university.
To avoid this, students are advised to observe proper citation at all times.

5. Students are advised to utilize the consultation hours to consult with the instructor on the
case studies, outline of the report paper and in other matters related to the course. If you are not
available during the consultation hours, you may arrange a separate schedule for consultation at least 3
days before your intended date for consultation. In case you see me during my free time, feel free to
approach me for a SHORT consultation.

Course Outline

I. Course Orientation and Briefing

II. Introductory Discussion

A. The Nature of Politics

1. Defining Politics
i. as an Art
ii. as Public Affairs
iii. as Compromise and Consensus
iv. as Power
- Implicit and manifest power
- Politics and power
- Power and choice
2. The Study of Politics
i. The Problem of Boundaries
ii. Approaches to the Study of Politics
- Philosophical Approach
- Empirical Approach
- Scientific Tradition
- Recent Developments

B. Political Science: Nature and Scope

1. The Science of Politics: Can the study of Politics be scientific?
2. Concepts, Theories and Models
3. The Development of Political Science
4. Areas of Specialization / Subfields

III. Political Philosophy: concepts and theories and ideologies

A. The Concept of the State

1. Plato vs. Aristotle on the State
2. Theories of the State
3. The Role of the State

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 4. The State in a Globalized World
CASE #1: “The End of the Nation State”, by Kenichi Ohmae

B. The Concept of Law and Constitution

1. Constitutions
i. Classifications of Constitutions
ii. Purpose of Constitutions
2. Law and the Judiciary
i. Law, morality and politics
ii. Politics and the judiciary

C. Political Ideologies
1. What is political ideology?
i. Liberalism
ii. Conservatism
iii. Socialism
iv. Other ideological traditions
v. The political spectrum
CASE #2: “The End of Ideology? On the Exhaustion of Political Ideas in the 1950’s”, by Daniel Bell
(and/or) “The End of History?” by Francis Fukuyama

D. Democracy
1. Defining democracy
2. Models of democracy
3. Democracy in practice: rival views
CASE #3: “What Democracy is… and Is Not”, by Philippe C. Schmitter and Terry Lynn Karl (1991)
CASE #4: “Capitalism and Democracy” by Gabriel A. Almond (1991)
CASE #5: “Advanced Democracies and the New Politics”, by Russell J. Dalton, Susan E. Scarrow, and
Bruce E. Cain (2004)

IV. Comparative Government and International / Global Politics

A. Governments, Systems and Regimes

1. Typology of Governments
i. as to distribution of political power: one, few, many
ii. as to system of government: Presidential vs. Parliamentary
iii. as to form of government: Unitary vs. Federal
2. Traditional System of Classification of Political Systems
3. The Regimes of the Modern World
i. Western polyarchies
ii. New democracies
iii. East Asian regimes
iv. Islamic regimes
v. Military regimes
CASE #6: “Facing the Challenge of Semi-Authoritarian States”, by Marina Ottaway (2003)

B. Global Politics and Globalization

1. Understanding world politics
2. The twenty-first-century world order
3. The dynamics of globalization
CASE #7: “Has Globalization Gone Too Far?” by Dani Rodrik
4. Regionalization
5. Global Governance
CASE #8: “The European Union (EU) and Its “Constitution”, by Alberta Sbragia (2006)

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V. Public Administration and Public Policy
A. What is Public Administration?
1. Public Administration vs. Public Management
2. Administration vs. Governance
CASE #9: “The Study of Administration” by Woodrow Wilson
3. Public Administration vs. Private Administration
4. Public Administration and Political Science
CASE #10: “The Publicness of Public Administration” by Udo Pesch
5. Public Policy and the Policy Process
6. Theories of decision-making
CASE #11: “The Science of Muddling Through”, by Charles Lindbloom

VI. Political Dynamics

A. Political Culture, Identity and Legitimacy
1. Political Culture
2. Identity Politics and Multiculturalism
3. Legitimacy and Political Stability
CASE #12: “Cultural Explanations”, in The Economist, November 9, 1996
CASE #13: “The Clash of Civilizations?”, by Samuel Huntington (1993) and “The True Clash of
Civilizations” Ronald Inglehart and Pippa Norris (2003)

B. Political Representation, Elections and Voting

1. Representation and Theories of Representation
2. The Electoral Process
i. Functions of Elections
ii. Electoral Systems
3. Voting Behavior and Theories of voting
4. Political Parties and Party Systems
CASE #14: “Political Parties: Empty Vessels?” in The Economist, July 24, 1999

C. Group Politics, Interest Groups and Social Movements

1. Group Politics and Interest groups
i. Types of groups
ii. Models and patterns of group politics
CASE #15: “ Interest Groups: Ex Uno, Plures” in The Economist, August 21, 1999
2. Social Movements
i. What is a social movement?
ii. New social movements

VII. Concluding Discussions / Review Sessions / Course Debriefing

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