PAD 120: INTRODUCTION TO POLITICAL SCIENCE
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This Course is an introduction to some basic political concepts and theories. It will cover concepts such as political science; authority; power; legitimacy; The State; government; law; constitution; constitutionalism; separation of powers; sovereignty and forms of government (democracy; autocracy; monarchy; republic; parliamentary government; presidential government; federal government and unitary government).
Learning Outcomes
After completing the Course, the student should be able to:
define political science
explain political science and its relation to Economics; History; Geography; Sociology and Psychology
explain whether or not political science is a scientific study
outline the methods used in the study of political science
explain the scope of political science
define "power" and explain the sources of power; describe how a leader can obtain authority
define "legitimacy" and explain how a government can gain legitimacy
define "the State" ; explain the four characteristice of the State; and outline the purposes of the State.
explain the various theories concerning the origin of the State
define "Law" and describe the sources and types of law
define the term "Constitution" and explain the types of constitution; explain the characteristics of a good constitution and the concept of "Constitutionalism."
explain the Theory of the Separation of Powers and the rationale of the theory and criticisms against it.
define the term "Sovereignty" and explain its characteristics and types
define the term "Government" and explain the various forms of government (presidential vs parliamentary government; federal vs unitary government; republic vs monarchy; democracy; autocracy)
Course Delivery
Lecture
Seminar Discussion
Question & Answer Session
Quiz
Group Discussion
References
Abdul Rashid Morten & Syed Sirajul Islam (2006). Introduction to Political Science, 2nd edition, Malaysia: Thomson.
Roskin, Cord, Medeiros & Jones (2005). Political Science: An Introduction, 8th edition, New Jersey:Prentice Hall.
Kapoor,A.C. (2001). Principles of Political Science, New Delhi: S.Chand & Co.