Political Science
Political Science 498: Senior Seminar
Winter, 2009
Paul Pavlich
Office:
Hours: M 10-12, W 11-12, TuTh 12-1
Phone: 552-6130
e-mail: pavlich@.sou.edu
Web page: http://www.sou.edu/polisci/pavlich.html
SYLLABUS
OBJECTIVES: Students should demonstrate their capacity to think systematically about a political problem, by showing their understanding of political phenomena and institutions.
All students will work on the same project: one that requires them to examine, analyze and propose potential
ASSESSMENT: Students will be evaluated on the basis of four “short” papers, an annotated bibliography, and Abstract and participation in simulations.
Papers. Each paper drawn from the above referenced topic, are to be submitted every two or three weeks throughout the term, per the schedule set forth in the Daily Schedule below. The core element will be a short (3-6 page) response to a problem posed and discussed in class for the prior two or three weeks. Each paper will be different, but each will require the student to undertake some research and draft a short analysis of a problem based upon the research. (10 points)
Simulations. At different times during the term, students will participate in simulations which attempt to illuminate some political phenomenon or institution. The simulations are competitive games and students will be awarded points depending how well they succeed in the simulations. (Simulations will reward only the highest 3 finishers with points 5-3-2)
Annotated Bibliography At the end of the term students synthesize and integrate the work completed in the four short papers into a larger work via an “Annotated Bibliography” and an Abstract. No separate comprehensive research paper is required. An annotated bibliography is nothing more than a bibliography which includes a one to four sentence summary of the methods, insights, conclusions or highlights of each source cited. This information in essence justifies the presence of the source in the bibliography. No formal style of bibliography is required as long as students achieve the basic objectives of the assignment: identify the important sources on their subject and explain why the source is important to the subject being studied. The Annotated Bibliography is due at the end of the term (10 points)
Abstract. As a complement to the Annotated Bibliography, students will submit a short essay which summarizes and ties together the previous four papers. This paper will be 2-3 pages long. It is based on the (almost certainly incorrect) assumption that the earlier papers are the elements of a larger work that are tied together in a single coherent research paper. The Abstract is a brief summary of the methods, data and conclusions of the imaginary paper. In effect if you were to integrate your four short papers into a larger work, the abstract would summarize that larger project. (10 points)
Attendance, Scheduling & Miscellaneous: There are no exams for the course. Roll is not taken and attendance does not formally figure into the grading. Late assignments are not accepted. However, the daily schedule is subject to change, based upon the demonstrated capacity of the class to absorb the material. Thus the entire class may be granted an extension because some subject seems to take more time to master than I anticipated. Thus, pay attention in class or check the web site regularly to see if the Daily Schedule has been modified. Further, each week will have an updated introduction to the subject for the day, to facilitate and coordinate discussions and simulations.
I expect to meet individually with each student to discuss their project at least once during this term and those meetings will likely as not take place outside of the normal class period..
Here are some cautionary notes regarding grading for this class:
(A) Students should keep a copy of all written exercises. The burden of loss of any missing written work will rest entirely on the student.
(B) Class grades will be assigned based upon a rough curve comparing point totals accumulated by students over the entire term. No individual exam will be assigned a letter grade. Rather you will be given a point total. After each exam, students will be shown two "curves" enabling them (1) to compare their point totals with others for the discrete exam and (2) compare their cumulative point totals for all exams given by that point in the term.
(C) Students should recognize that class meetings also serve as a medium for communicating to them about the class. Information concerning the class, not contained in the syllabus, is generally communicated at one class meeting and noted on the class website, but not repeated elsewhere. This may include additional reading assignments, handouts, exercise information, modifications of the syllabus etc. Students bear the entire responsibility to ensure that they understand the requirements for the class by either attending regularly or making other arrangements to ascertain how the course is moving.
(D) The principles espoused in the SOU policy on academic dishonesty are applicable to this class.
If you are in need of academic support because of a documented disability (whether it is psychiatric, learning, mobility, health-related, or sensory), you may be eligible for academic accommodations through disability services for students. Contact Disability Services for Students; Director, DSS; 552-6213; or schedule an appointment in person at the
TENTATIVE DAILY SCHEDULE
JANUARY 9 Overview of Class. Charlie Wilson’s War
JANUARY: 16 First Paper Due (2-3 Pages) Develop a Proposal for US Policy in the NWFP and FATA. What should the
Groups, Coalitions and Strategy in Politics After the research tutorial we will discuss the significance of associations in politics. The essence of the undertaking is to review the centrality of membership in a group and the reconciliation of estrangement to political phenomena. Second Assignment distributed January 16, due January 30 (Identify the relevant groups and explain why they are relevant)
READ: Insurgency-Counterinsurgency, An American in Baghdad, United States and Kenya
JANUARY 23. Identify and discuss relevant groups in NWFP and FATA. What is the nature of the relationship among these groups? What is the relationship between those groups and the formal organs of government? What kinds of institutions or government entities link, mediate or engage these groups?
JANUARY 30- February 6. The International Milieu. What are the interests of nation-states other than the
Third Assignment distributed January 30th, due February 13.
FEBRUARY 13-27 . Government, law and institutions. Formal institutions of government become significant means for achieving political objectives. Sometimes control over those institutions becomes an objective in itself. What
February 13 game: Coalections
READING: Challenging the Generals, Bowls, BCS and a Playoff
Assignment #4 distributed February 13, due March 13 (note change)
FEBRUARY 27 Class meetings will be short (if at all) only to discuss and develop ideas for the Abstract, Annotated Bibliography and Fourth Assignment. Class meetings may be replace by individual meetings or tutorials with students.
March 16 Annotated Bibliography and final interpretive essay (Abstract) due. Note change
