POLI 278 is the second half of Athabasca University’s two introduction to politics courses. It can be taken alone for students requiring 3 credits in political science, but not wishing to take both introductory courses. For students desiring a thorough introduction to political science and those intending to take other political science courses, both introductory courses are recommended. Together with POLI 277, the first of the two introductory courses, POLI 278 is designed to provide students with a solid foundation in politics and government to enable them to go on to other courses in political science.
In this course students will be introduced to some of the fundamental concepts and processes of political science, including political culture and political participation; electoral systems; political parties and elections; interest groups and social movements; political conflict; the role of the media in politics; political regimes; globalizing justice; and international relations.
Outline
Unit 1: Introduction
Unit 2: Ideas of Politics
Unit 3: Political Culture, Political Participation, and Political Socialization
Unit 4: Representation and Electoral Systems
Unit 5: Political Parties and Elections
Unit 6: Interest Groups and Social Movements
Unit 7: Political Conflict and Violence
Unit 8: Media
Unit 9: Regimes—Democratic, Non-Democratic, and Hybrid
Unit 10: Globalizing Justice
Unit 11: Governing the World Community
Evaluation
To receive credit for POLI 278, you must complete the following assignments and achieve a course composite grade of at least D (50 percent) and a grade of 50 percent or more on the final examination. The weighting for the assignments is as follows:
Activity
Weight
Assignment 1: Telephone Quizzes (2)
10%
Assignment 2: Short Essays
10%
Assignment 3: Annotated Bibliography
15%
Assignment 4: Research Essay
30%
Final Exam
35%
Total
100%
Activity
Weight
Assignment 1: Telephone Quizzes (2)
10%
Assignment 2: Short Essays
10%
Assignment 3: Annotated Bibliography
15%
Assignment 4: Research Essay
30%
Final Exam
35%
Total
100%
The final examination for this course must be requested in advance and written under the supervision of an AU-approved exam invigilator. Invigilators include either ProctorU or an approved in-person invigilation centre that can accommodate online exams. Students are responsible for payment of any invigilation fees. Information on exam request deadlines, invigilators, and other exam-related questions, can be found at the Exams and grades section of the Calendar.
To learn more about assignments and examinations, please refer to Athabasca University’s online Calendar.
Materials
Mintz, E., D. Close, and O. Croci. 2021. Politics, Power, and the Common Good: An Introduction to Political Science, 6th ed. Don Mills, ON: Pearson. (eText)
Brodie, J., S. Rein, and M. Smith, eds. 2023. Critical Concepts: An Introduction to Politics, 6th ed. Oxford University Press. (eText)
The challenge for credit process allows you to demonstrate that you have acquired a command of the general subject matter, knowledge, intellectual and/or other skills that would normally be found in a university-level course.
Full information about challenge for credit can be found in the Undergraduate Calendar.
Evaluation
To receive credit for the POLI 278 challenge registration, you must achieve a grade of at least D (50 percent) on the examination.
Athabasca University reserves the right to amend course outlines occasionally and without notice. Courses offered by other delivery methods may vary from their individualized study counterparts.