Course Description
An examination of emergent and high-interest topics in politics, specific skills in political science, and novel approaches to the study of political phenomena.
Athena Title
Hot Topics Political Science
Grading System
S/U (Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory)
Student learning Outcomes
- By the end of the course, students will be able to synthesize details about the concepts in political science.
- By the end of the course, students will be able to evaluate how the characteristics of various political systems lead to different political outcomes.
- By the end of the course, students will be able to evaluate the major theoretical approaches and models used within political science.
- By the end of the course, students will be able to evaluate theoretical foundations in the study of political science when applying them to attempt to explain the causes and effects of historical and contemporary global events.
- By the end of the course, students will be able to collect and analyze original quality data relative to the causes and effects of historical and contemporary global events.
- By the end of the course, students will be able to create original, well-informed arguments about the causes and effects of historical and contemporary global events that is theoretically informed and includes quality data.
- By the end of the course, students will be able to write in a clear structured manner that provides an original theoretically informed argument presented to an intended audience that is supported with data and uses appropriate vocabulary, grammar, and syntax.
- By the end of the course, students will be able to create an original social science research project.
Topical Outline
- Defining features of the topic, problem, or controversy
- Historical dimensions of topic
- Introduction to relevant skill, methods, or mode of inquiry
- Application of skill, methods, or mode of inquiry
- Reflection on limitations of knowledge about the topic, skill, method, or mode of inquiry
Institutional Competencies Learning Outcomes
Analytical Thinking
The ability to reason, interpret, analyze, and solve problems from a wide array of authentic contexts.
Critical Thinking
The ability to pursue and comprehensively evaluate information before accepting or establishing a conclusion, decision, or action.
