Syllabus

American Studies Center

Warsaw University
Introduction to Politics
Instructor:
Program:
Semester:
Time:

Prof Clifford A. Bates, Jr.

Weekday BA
Spring/Summer
Wednesday 12:30-2:00

e-mail: c.a.bates@uw.edu.pl
Academic Year:
2016
Language: English
Place:
ASC Rm 311

Objectives
From the general theories of human politics, to the various forms and institutions that give
shape to human political activity in todays world, this class will help students get an firm
introduction on the nature of politics. This is a general social science level introduction to the
study of politics. The course offers a general introduction to political science. The topics to
be introduced to the students include basic concepts such as power, authority, legitimacy;
types of political systems and approaches to the study of politics; problems common to all
political systems. Also this course will look at the state as a political phenomena and how it
emerged as the dominate framework from which human politics operates within.
Requirements
Quizzes (all totaling 40% of final grade).
Final exam (worth 60% of final grade).
Reading Materials
Various materials either scanned or copied.
Aristotles Politics Bk I, III, IV-VI
Selections from Phillip Bobbitts The Shield of Achilles
Kenneth Minogues Politics - A Very Short Introduction; (Oxford University Press, 1995)
Carnes Lords The Modern Prince.
Pierre Manent What is a nation?
Charles Tilly Regimes and Repertories.

Week Weekly topics

Readings
1.
Introduction
Types of Human political organizations
Prince Ch 1
throughout human history.
Aristotle Politics I
2.

The Household, the Tribe, and the Empire

vs. the political community.

Minogue Ch 1-4
Bobbitt

3.

The Birth of the State.

The Polis vs The State

Minogue Ch 5-7
Bobbitt

4.

The Modern State and the Political Actor

Lord Ch 1-3
Manent

5.

States and Regimes

Lord Ch 4-6,
Aristotle Politics III

6.

Founder of states

Lord Ch 7

7.

Modern Regimes

Lord Ch 8-11
Tilly Chpt 1, 2 & 3

8.

Division of Powers/Functions of Politics

Aristotle Politics IV

9.

Classical Forms of Regimes

Aristotle Politics IV & VI

10.

Change and Revolution

Aristotle Politics V.
Tilly Chpt 6 & &

11.

Tools of Politics

Lord Ch 12-16

12.

Tools of Politics cont

13.

Decision Making

Lord Ch 21-23

14.

Statecraft today

Lord Ch 24-26

Exam.

Lord Ch 17-20