POLS110: Intro to
Political science
Monday January 10th
Introduction to the course and discussion of the syllabus.
Assignment Due Jan 12th: Write a definition of politics in no more than 200 words. The most concise answer wins.
Wednesday Jan 12th
Politics: Who Gets What, When and How?
Read Laswell, Preface and First Chapter (pgs. 295-310).
MONDAY Jan 17th
NO CLASS. MLK DAY. If you want some reading for the day, take a look at his speech ‘Beyond Vietnam: A Time to Break Silence’ and a more recent discussion of the speech on NPR.
Wednesday Jan 19th
Politics: Who Gets What, When and How? continued…
Read Laswell, last chapter titled ‘Resume’ (pgs. 443-454). This is included in the original downloaded from last Wednesday, Jan 12th.
Monday January 24th
Read Weber, “Politics as a Vocation”, first 15 pages only.
Assignment due Jan 26th: Answer Discussion Questions in Laulima for Week 3 before class on Wednesday.
Wednesday Jan 26th
Weber, “Politics as a Vocation”, finish second half of text.
Monday Jan 31st
Politics: Revolutionary, Reactionary, and Routine
Read the introduction and first chapter of Lippman’s Preface to Politics
WEDnesday Feb 2nd
In class viewing: Watch the full episode (55 minutes) of Jacob Hacker on his book “Winner Take All Politics”.
In class assignment: Fill out active listening exercise worksheet during episode viewing. Submit answers via email at the end of the class period.
monday Feb 7th
Inequality and Influence
Read this short MIC essay on a Princeton Univ. study on American government. Then skim the actual study the article is based on here. You do not have to read the whole thing, just skim for main ideas.
Think about the following questions for class discussion: What kind of government does the US have? What do you think of this study?
Wednesday Feb 9th
Colonialism/Settler Colonialism
Please read the Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous People.
Monday Feb 14th
Sexism
Please read “Sexism - A Problem with a Name” by Sara Ahmed
And
”The Manifesto” by Nadya Tolokonikovoy
Wednesday Feb 16th
Two Reflections on Reparations
Please read The Case for Reparations by Ta-Nehisi Coates
and
How to Repair the Planet, An Interview with Olúfẹ́mi O. Táíwò
MONDAY FEB 21ST
NO CLASS - PRESIDENTS’ DAY
WEDNESDAY FEB 23RD
Heterosexism and Classism
Please read the following:
Stonewall Riots
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/lgbt-rights-45-years-after-the-stonewall-riots/
Class Politics
http://newleftreview.org/II/13/david-graeber-the-new-anarchists
MONDAY FEB 28TH
Speciesism
Please read the Animal Rights / Animal Liberation Front Manifesto http://animalliberationfront.com/Philosophy/ALF_Manifesto.htm
WEDNESDAY MARCH 2ND
How to Design a Government
Read Terrance Ball’s Introduction to the Federalist Papers
MONDAY MARCH 7TH
Voting
Read Monther Jones’ “The Indefensible Electoral College”
WEDNESDAY MARCH 9TH
Community Organizing
Read Rebecca Solit’s ‘When the Hero is the Problem.’
Watch and discuss: What is mutual aid?
MARCH 14-18
SPRING RECESS
NO CLASS
MONDAY MARCH 21ST
Direct Action
Watch and discuss in class: James Scott, ‘The Art of Not Being Governed’
Wednesday March 23rd
Protest
Read Ta-Nehisi Coates, ‘The Great Fire’ in Vanity Fair. Watch and discuss the Vanity Fair BLM documentary in class (Trigger/Content Warning)
MARCH 28th and 30th
INDEPENDENT PROJECT WEEK- NO CLASS
Monday April 4th
Revolution
Watch and discuss in class: Battle of Algiers. Read Slavoj Žižek, Debate over the future of revolution.
Wednesday April 6th
Finish Battle of Algiers.
WEDNESDAY APRIL 20th
NGOs and International Civil Society
Read Joseph Nye, Globalization and the Democracy Deficit
MONDAY APRIL 25th
Local Politics
Read Sentinel Landscapes, on the convergence of conservation and the military in Hawai’i.
WEDNESDAY APRIL 27th
National Politics
Why Are Militias So Hard to Stop?
Watch in class: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7rJstUseKg
Monday May 2nd
Overview of course content in context of subfields.
WEDNESDAY May 4th
Student Led Discussion