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This is the complete lecture note for POL 101 Introduction to Political Science. You can read it online below, open it in the full viewer, or download the PDF for offline study. It pairs with the course's video lectures, so you can read and watch together.
LA-NET | ONLINE LEARNING VIDEO PLATFORM FOR POST-SECONDARY & HIGHER INSTITUTION STUDENTS
LA-NET | ONLINE LEARNING VIDEO PLATFORM FOR POST-SECONDARY & HIGHER INSTITUTION STUDENTS Series 1: Foundations of Political Science Series outline • Part 1.1 The Nature and Scope of Political Science o 1.1.1 Meaning and definition of Political Science o 1.1.2 Scope and boundaries of the discipline o 1.1.3 Political Science as science or art • Part 1.2 Politics and Political Discourse o 1.2.1 Meaning of politics o 1.2.2 Politics as activity and practice o 1.2.3 Political discourse and its role in society • Part 1.3 Evolution and Development of Political Science o 1.3.1 Historical background of the discipline o 1.3.2 Contributions of founding scholars o 1.3.3 Contemporary relevance of Political Science • Part 1.4 Relationship of Political Science with Other Fields o 1.4.1 Political Science and other social sciences o 1.4.2 Political Science and humanities o 1.4.3 Political Science and natural sciences Introduction Politics is part of everyday life, shaping the way societies are organised and decisions are made. Whether in the family, community, or government, questions of power, authority, and influence are constantly at play. This Series introduces you to the foundations of Political Science, helping you to see how the discipline provides tools for analysing these interactions and for understanding the structures that govern human behaviour. By beginning here, you will be better prepared to engage with the more advanced themes that follow in the course. The aim of this Series is to equip you with a clear grasp of the basic meaning, scope, and development of Political Science, and to enable you to situate the discipline within the wider family of social sciences and related fields. We shall commence this Series by examining the nature and scope of Political Science, including its definitions and whether it is best considered a science or an art. Next, we will explore politics as activity and discourse, highlighting how it operates in practice. Subsequently, we will trace the historical development of Political Science and the contributions of its founding scholars. Finally, we will wrap up by considering the relationship of Political Science with other disciplines such as sociology, economics, history, and the natural sciences, thereby rounding off the foundations upon which the rest of the course will build.
LA-NET | ONLINE LEARNING VIDEO PLATFORM FOR POST-SECONDARY & HIGHER INSTITUTION STUDENTS Series Learning Outcomes Upon completing this Series, you should be able to: • SLO 1.1 define Political Science and explain its scope, • SLO 1.2 analyse the nature of politics and describe its role in discourse and practice, • SLO 1.3 evaluate the historical development of Political Science and the contributions of founding scholars, • SLO 1.4 explain the relationship between Political Science and other disciplines in the social sciences, humanities, and natural sciences. 1.1 The Nature And Scope Of Political Science 1.1.1 Meaning and definition of Political Science Political Science is the systematic study of politics, government, and the behaviour of individuals and groups within political systems. The term combines politics, which refers to the processes of decision-making and power relations, and science, which implies the use of structured methods to study these processes. Political Science seeks to explain how societies organise authority, allocate resources, and resolve conflicts. Fill in the blank: Political Science is the systematic study of ______, government, and behaviour within political systems.
LA-NET | ONLINE LEARNING VIDEO PLATFORM FOR POST-SECONDARY & HIGHER INSTITUTION STUDENTS Diagram showing the relationship between politics, government, and society Caption: Figure 1.1 Relationship between politics, government, and society 1.1.2 Scope and boundaries of the discipline The scope of Political Science refers to the range of issues, concepts, and phenomena that the discipline examines. It includes the study of political institutions such as legislatures and courts, political behaviour such as voting and protest, and political theories that explain authority and
LA-NET | ONLINE LEARNING VIDEO PLATFORM FOR POST-SECONDARY & HIGHER INSTITUTION STUDENTS justice. Boundaries are defined by what is considered political, distinguishing Political Science from other fields such as economics or sociology. Fill in the blank: The scope of Political Science includes institutions, behaviour, and ______ that explain authority and justice.
LA-NET | ONLINE LEARNING VIDEO PLATFORM FOR POST-SECONDARY & HIGHER INSTITUTION STUDENTS 1.1.3 Political Science as science or art There has long been debate about whether Political Science is a science or an art. As a science, it applies systematic methods, collects data, and seeks generalisable explanations of political behaviour. As an art, it involves judgement, interpretation, and the practical application of knowledge to real-world governance. In reality, Political Science combines both dimensions, balancing empirical analysis with normative reflection.
LA-NET | ONLINE LEARNING VIDEO PLATFORM FOR POST-SECONDARY & HIGHER INSTITUTION STUDENTS Fill in the blank: Political Science is both a science, which applies systematic methods, and an ______, which involves judgement and interpretation. Pilot questions 1.1 1. Which term refers to the systematic study of politics, government, and behaviour? 2. What are the three main areas included in the scope of Political Science? 3. Which dimension of Political Science involves empirical analysis and data collection?
LA-NET | ONLINE LEARNING VIDEO PLATFORM FOR POST-SECONDARY & HIGHER INSTITUTION STUDENTS 4. Which dimension of Political Science involves judgement and practical application? 5. Fill in the blank: Political Science combines both ______ and art. 1.2 Politics And Political Discourse 1.2.1 Meaning of politics Politics refers to the processes through which individuals and groups make collective decisions, exercise power, and resolve conflicts within society. It is concerned with who gets what, when, and how, and it shapes the distribution of resources and opportunities. Politics is not limited to government institutions; it occurs in families, communities, and organisations wherever decisions and authority are contested. Fill in the blank: Politics is concerned with who gets what, ______, and how.
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