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Canyon College

COURSE SYLLABUS: PS356 - Political Sociology

Course Title:	PS356 - Political Sociology
Department:	School of Political Science
Instructor:	Sheree R. Nelson, BS, MA, MPA, E-Mail -- Vita

PURPOSE OF THE COURSE

Political sociology combines, as the title suggests, aspects of politics and aspects of sociology. Students will be introduced to material regarding the social bases of politics and how they influence politics and, ultimately, public policy, as well as how American culture affects political outcomes. Students will also be introduced to material that will reveal how the major social and political issues throughout the globe help define American culture and, ultimately, political life.

Required Texts  Online Bookstore

Contemporary Political Sociology: Globalization, Politics, and Power
by Kate Nash
Publisher: Blackwell Publishing
Copyright: 2000
ISBN-13: 9780631206613

The Blackwell Companion to Political Sociology
by Kate Nash & Alan Scott
Publisher: Blackwell Publishing
Copyright: 2004
ISBN: 140512265X

Inequality, Power, and Development: Issue in Political Sociology, 2nd Ed.
by Jerry Kloby
Publisher: Humanity Books
Copyright: 2004
ISBN-13: 9781591021032

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, students will have an understanding and appreciation for the basic methodologies employed in death investigation. Students gain an understanding of the differing approaches to death scenes involving suicides, homicides and natural deaths; to include forensic applications, crime scene protocols and investigative procedures.

Course Outline

Section 1: Introduction to Political Economy
Nash: Sections 1.1-1.4
Nash & Scott: Essays 1-8

Section 2: Globalization
Nash: Sections 2.1-2.4 & 3.5
Kloby: Chapter 4 and pp. 230-241

Section 3: Social Movements, Cultural Politics, and Power
Nash: Sections 3.1-3.4
Kloby: Chapter 5

Section 4: Political Processes
Nash & Scott: Essays 12-16

Section 5: Contesting Universalism & Collective Identity and Action
Nash: Sections 4.1-4.5
Nash & Scott: Essays 24-29

Section 6: Democracy and Democratization
Nash: Sections 5.1-5.4

Section 7: The Future?
Kloby: Chapters 8, 9, & 10

Section 8: Final Research Paper

Course Responsibilities:

Section Essays: Write a summary essay of the sections’ required readings from Contemporary Political Sociology: Globalization, Politics, and Power, The Blackwell Companion to Political Sociology, and Inequality, Power, and Development: Issues in Political Sociology, 2nd Ed. Each essay must be at least four double-spaced pages, be in APA format, and include all proper citations and references from the assigned textbooks. Additional outside sources are both welcome and encouraged. All essays must also contain a final paragraph that includes your insights and opinions about the material. Any and all insights and opinions are both welcome and encouraged. There are no wrong opinions. However, opinions such as, “The government is only filled with money-hungry jerks,” are not acceptable, as this is a blanket statement that unfairly encompasses thousands of people. Using an example of a specific person or a specific event is fine, though, to make a point.

Final Research Project: Students will be required to complete one research paper about an issue in political sociology of the student’s choice. The issue must receive prior approval from the instructor by Section 5 of the term. The final research project must be at least eight double-spaced pages, be in APA format, and include all proper citations and references. Material from each of the assigned textbooks must be incorporated into your final research project, as well as at least three other sources. Wikipedia is not an acceptable reference for this project.

Grades

Course work will be weighted as follows:

Essays: 70 points (10 points for each section)
Final Research Paper = 30 points

Grading Scale

270-300 points = A (Excellent)
240-269 points = B (Above Average)
210-239 points = C (Average)
180-209 points = D (Below Average)
179 or Below = F (Failing Grade)