Introduction to Political Science

Course Coordinator: Dr Percy Lui, BSocSc (CUHK); MPA, PhD (Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University)

Course Developer: Prof. Richard Y Chuang, Northern State University

Advisory prerequisite(s)
You are advised to have already studied SOSC A101.

Aims
This course aims to provide students with a comprehensive and up-to-date introduction to the study of politics. As an introductory course, it is designed to be of use to students taking courses in any field of the discipline. It will introduce various political concepts and ideologies, explore the theoretical frameworks that underpin the study of politics, examine the institutional structures of major political systems, and, finally, study the politics occurring among sovereign states. At a later stage the students will be able to apply the above to analyse some of the pressing political issues of the day. This course also helps students to equip themselves with the tools to analyse the political development of Hong Kong and China.

Contents
The course covers the following topics:

• Foundations of political science
• Political ideologies and culture
• Public opinion and political communication
• Interest groups, political parties and voting
• Structure and power of government
• Legislatures
• The executives
• Legal systems and the judiciary
• Public policy and administration
• Political development
• International relations

Learning support
There will be 12 two-hour tutorials and two two-hour supplementary lectures.

Assessment
There will be five assignments and a final examination. Students are required to submit assignments via the Online Learning Environment (OLE).

Set book(s)
Roskin, M G et al. (2016) Political Science: An Introduction, 14th edn, Upper Saddle River, NJ: Longman (or the latest edition).