North South University CMy POL 101

Spring 2023

CMy Political Science 101

Introduction to Political Science

Cynthia McKinney, Ph.D.

CMy.NorthSouth.edu@GMAIL.com

Course Outline, Page 1

North South University CMy POL 101
Spring 2023

North South University

Department of Political Science and Sociology
Office Hours Held By Appointment Only and
Wednesdays 8:00 am –11:00 am /// Thursdays 2:00 pm –5:00 pm

Course Description:

Politics is an inescapable part of life. To be a good citizen, one has to be conscious about
one’s rights and responsibilities, as well as the obligations to the people of governing systems.
However, If one wants to understand politics, the sound bites and talk-shows of the modern media
provide an incomplete picture. The purpose of this course is to introduce students to the formal
study of Political Science and the many different governance systems. It examines the many and
differing ways in which people govern themselves through political institutions, ideas, and
behavior.

Expected Learning Outcomes:

The course is designed to achieve basically ve major outcomes. First, it seeks to ignite the
political consciousness of students and enhance their understanding and appreciation of the role
of politics in human society. Second, students will be made familiar with the basic key concepts of
this discipline, such as power, politics, state, legitimacy, constitution, election; the functions of
government and the roles of its executive, legislative, and judicial branches; and civil society.
Third, the course seeks to generate critical thinking and thereby help students formulate
intelligible opinions about contemporary political issues. Fourth, an expected learning outcome is
the improvement of the student’s verbal, written, and presentation skills. Finally, the student is
expected to hone his or her group participation and leadership skills.

Each of these outcomes is associated with a speci c assignment in the Course.

Distribution of Grade:
Class Special Activities 20%

Attendance 5% Exam #1 10%

Group Presentation 15% Exam #2 15%

Individual Assignments 15% Final Exam 20%

Course Outline, Page 2

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 North South University CMy POL 101
Spring 2023

GRADING POLICY: NSU Attempts to Abide by a STRICT 20% A/A- Standard

Letter Grades Numerical Scores Letter Grades Numerical Scores

A 93–100 C+ 77–79

A- 90–92 C 73–76

B+ 87–89 C- 70–72

B 83–86 D+ 67–69

B- 80–82 D 60–66

I (Incomplete) F (Failure) Below 60

W (Withdrawal)

Student Responsibilities: Attendance

You are expected to come to class on time and prepared to participate fully in class
discussions. Your grade depends on your attendance and your participation in class discussions.

Ethical and Unethical Behavior: Plagiarism, Cheating, Lying

Ethical behavior is expected AT ALL TIMES. You have been adequately warned about
plagiarism. I WILL NOT ACCEPT PLAGIARISM AND WILL FAIL ANY ASSIGNMENT THAT IS
PLAGIARIZED. STUDENTS FOUND TO HAVE CHEATED ON ANY ASSIGNMENT WILL FAIL THAT
ASSIGNMENT. This serves as your only written warning on the effect on your grade of plagiarism
and cheating. Additionally, lying after having been caught engaging in unethical behavior is not
acceptable.

Online Teaching-Learning Strategy

To facilitate student learning through online classes, the PDF version of the textbook and
other materials will be shared through Canvas. Therefore, reading of the assigned materials, timely
attendance, active participation, and remaining in the class with camera on for the entire period is
essential. To avoid any emergency, please be prepared in advance. For example, you should buy
suf cient mobile data and address all your technical issues in advance. Feel free to raise questions
and debate their answers in a professional manner.

Course Outline, Page 3

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North South University CMy POL 101
Spring 2023
ALL EXAM DATES (ANNOUNCED IN CLASS) ARE FINAL.

POINTS ARE DEDUCTED FROM MAKE-UP EXAMS, EVEN WITH SERIOUS EMERGENCIES.

WEEKLY LAYOUT

Week 1: Module 1 - Introduction

Introduction to the Course and description of Class Rules

What is Political Science? What is its scope? Is it really a science?

Week 2: Power, Authority, and Legitimacy

What is a political system and what are its characteristics and functions

Power, Authority, and Legitimacy

Week 3: Module 2 - Governance

Forms of government

The Constitution and the state

Week 4: Separation of Powers

Theory of Separation of Powers

The Legislature

Week 5: The Executive Branch

The Executive

Review

Week 6: Exam Preparation, Exam #1

Exam Preparation

Exam #1

Course Outline, Page 4

North South University CMy POL 101
Spring 2023
Week 7: The Judiciary

The Judiciary and the Rule of Law

Political Parties

Week 8: Civil Society

Pressure Groups and Civil Society

Elections/Voting and Representation

Week 9: Module 3 - Bangladesh In the Region and World

Bangladesh in the Region

Bangladesh in the World

Week 10: Module 4 - Understanding Your Leadership Role

Transactional versus Transformational Leadership

Pedagogy of the Oppressed

Your Responsibility for a Just Society

Week 11: Exam Preparation, Exam #2

Exam Preparation

Exam #2

Week 12: Module 5 - Celebration of Learning and Group Presentations

Class Special Activities

Class Special Activities

Week 13: Module 5 - Celebration of Learning and Group Presentations

Class Special Activities

Class Special Activities

Course Outline, Page 5
North South University CMy POL 101
Spring 2023
Week 14: Module 5 - Celebration of Learning and Group Presentations

Class Special Activities

Class Special Activities

Week 15: Module 5 - Celebration of Learning and Group Presentations

Group Presentations

Group Presentations

Week 16: Module 5 - Celebration of Learning and Group Presentations

Group Presentations

Group Presentations

Week 17: Module 5 - Celebration of Learning and Group Presentations

Group Presentations

Group Presentations

Week 18: Module 5 - Course Review, Final Exam Preparation

Course Review/Questions

Exam Preparation

WEEK 19: FINAL EXAM

Course Outline, Page 6

North South University CMy POL 101
Spring 2023
Required and Recommended Readings

Heywood, Andrew. Politics (Fifth Edition) (Red Grove Press, 2019).

Recommended Readings

Bass, Gary J. The Blood Telegram: Nixon, Kissinger, and a Forgotten Genocide (New York:
Alfred A. Knopf, 2013).

Khasru, B.Z. The Bangladesh Military Coup and the CIA Link (India: Rainlight Rupa, 2015);

Raghavan, Srinath. 1971: A Global History of the Creation of Bangladesh (Cambridge,

Massachusetts: Harvard University Press, 2013).

Riaz, Ali. Inconvenient Truths About Bangladeshi Politics (Dhaka: Prothoma Prokashan, 2013).

Haq, Emdadul. Colonial Drug Trade in South Asia: From Palashi to Partition (Dhaka,
Bangladesh: Century Publications, 2017).

Bose, Sugata. His Majesty’s Opponent: Subhas Chandra Bose and India’s Struggle Against
Empire (Gurgaon, India: Penguin Random House India, 2011).

Additional study materials will be given during the classes!

Wishing You A Great Semester!!!

Course Outline, Page 7