This course provides a broad critical introduction to politics and political science. It attempts a broad exploration of the processes and practices that shape political life, the institutional contexts and social framework of political activity, and the role of ideas, institutions, and values in influencing political behavior. The course examines the relationship between power and politics, provides a broad overview of the scope, methods, and concerns of political studies, and examines the institutional contexts within which politics is produced. What is power and politics? How is the ‘political’ conceived and organized, and in what ways does this impact social relations? How are governments organized, and what the role of ideas, institutions, culture, on political behavior? Why do people obey governmental authority and why does government authority collapse? Why does politics turn violent? These are some of the questions that the course attempts to grapple with.  

Learning Objectives:

This course is designed to provide students with the critical conceptual and analytical tools that enable them to engage with broader questions about the nature, practice and exercise of power. It is also intended to help students develop critical skills for understanding the dynamics of political life, as well as engaging with questions of power and politics they confront on a day to day basis. By the end of the course, students should: 

> Have a broad critical understanding of power and politics.

> Be familiar with the fundamentals of, and key debates in, political science; the major theoretical approaches to the discipline and the scope, concepts, methods that frame analysis of political life. 

> Appreciate the role of ideas, institutions and values in politics, the institutional contexts within which governments function and the challenges and uncertainties they face within the context of an ever-changing world.

> Be able to place political events in their proper analytical contexts and understand the power/knowledge regimes that shape discourses of power
Appreciated the contested nature of politics and the social relations it makes possible. 

Assessment Criteria;

• Attendance and Class Participation 10%

75% of attendance would be mandatory to take the final term exams. Students are encouraged to participate in class discussions and ask questions. Students are expected to come to class prepared, having read the assigned reading for each class. Please come to class on time. Habitually coming to class late will be penalized. Cell phones must be turned off. If your phone rings in class on more than one occasion, I will ask you to leave class.

• Short Term Paper 4%

Every student is required to submit a short-term paper of 5 to 7 pages on the assigned titles. Similarity Index would be evaluated by using Turnitin Software.

• Presentation 4%
• Map Quiz 2%
• Mid Term 30%
• Final Exam 50%

Recommended Books:

> Analyzing Politics, An Introduction to Political Science, FIFTH EDITION by ELLEN GRIGSBY

> Introduction to Political Science, How to Think for Yourself about Politics by Craig Parsons