GISDepartment of Global and Interdisciplinary Studies

Politics can be viewed in various ways. For many, it deals with the government or governing of an entity such as a country. Others would say it has to do with the nature, distribution and dynamics of power. The authors of the course's textbook define politics as essentially a mechanism for deciding, in Harold Laswell's words, "who gets what, when, how.” Political science is the study of the theory and practice of politics.

The course “Introduction to Political Science” provides a comprehensive overview of the study of politics. It explores the various meanings of politics, as well as political ideas and ideologies. It analyzes the state, different types of political regimes, and such political concepts as power, authority, freedom and justice. In introducing comparative politics, it examines political institutions, constitutions and law, the executive, legislative and judicial branches or dimensions of government. It delves into elections and voting, political parties and party systems, civil society, interest groups and the media. In introducing global politics, it presents traditional theories as well as critical approaches in global politics, security, diplomacy and foreign policy, international organizations and global political economy.

The course seeks:
• To introduce students to political science as an academic field of study.
• To acquaint students with the fundamental concepts, theories and approaches used by political scientists in studying political issues, processes and outcomes in different countries.
• To help students develop a critical awareness of Japanese and world politics and enhance their ability to analyze and discuss important political issues and events.

At the end of the course, a student
• Should have gained a good grasp of the fundamental themes, concepts, theories and approaches of political science.
• Should have improved her/his skills in analyzing important political events and developments in Japan and in the world.
• Should have acquired a strong foundation for pursuing further studies in political science and its various subfields.

Will be able to gain “DP 1”, “DP 2”, “DP 3”, and “DP 4”.

英語 / English

The course will consist mainly of lectures and open discussion. Students will be asked - and encouraged - to express their views on topics being discussed. Audio-visual aids (video clips, photos, maps illustrations) will be used to help make issues and events much more concrete and vivid to students, and to help stimulate discussion and debate. Feedback on assignments will be provided during class discussions, by email or through individual consultations.

あり / Yes

なし / No

授業形態/methods of teaching：対面/face to face

※各回の授業形態は予定です。教員の指示に従ってください。

1[オンライン/online]：Introduction: The Nature of Politics and Political Analysis
(Chapter 1)

What is Politics?
The Study of Politics;
Political Analysis

2[対面/face to face]：Politics and the State; Political Power, Authority and the State
(Chapters 2-3)

Political Importance, Role and Typology of the State; Power and Authority; Theories of the State

3[対面/face to face]：Democracy and Political Obligation; Freedom and Justice (Chapters 4-5)

What is Democracy?
Sources of Political Obligation; The Nature of Freedom; Theories of Justice

4[対面/face to face]：Traditional Ideologies; Challenges to the Dominant Ideologies (Chapters 6-7)

What is an Ideology?
Liberalism, Socialism. Conservatism, etc.; Feminism, Environmentalism, Postmodernism, Populism, etc.

5[対面/face to face]：Institutions and States; Political Culture and Non-Western Political Ideas (Chapters 8-9)

Institutions; The Rise and Spread of the State; Strong and Weak States; Political Culture; Political Order

6[対面/face to face]：Democracies, Democratization and Authoritarian Regimes; Law, Constitutions and Federalism (Chapters 15 & 10)

The Spread of Democracy; Democratization; Authoritarian Regimes;
Law and Politics; Constitutions; Unitary and Federal Systems

7[対面/face to face]：Review and Exam

Assess to what degree students understand topics discussed; midterm exam

8[対面/face to face]：Votes, Elections, Legislatures and Legislators; Political Parties (Chapters 11-12)

Voting and Elections;
Role, Types and Structure of Legislatures; Functions and Types of Parties; Party Systems

9[対面/face to face]：Executives, Bureaucracies, Policy Studies and Governance; Civil Society, Interest Groups and the Media (Chapters 13-14)

Executives and Legislatures; Civil Service; Theories of Bureaucratic Policy-Making; Civil Society, Interest Groups, Media and Politics; New Technologies

10[対面/face to face]：Introducing Global Politics; Traditional Theories in Global Politics
(Chapters 16-17)

Politics in a Globalizing World; States and Nations in Contemporary Global Politics; Liberalism. Realism, English School, etc.

11[対面/face to face]：Critical Approaches to Global Politics; Security and Insecurity (Chapters 18-19)

Marxism, Green Theory, Feminism, Constructivism, etc.; Security, Insecurity and Power Politics; Other Approaches to Security

12[対面/face to face]：Diplomacy and Foreign Policy; International Organizations in Global Politics (Chapters 20-21)

Diplomacy in Global History: Public Diplomacy; Foreign Policy; What is an International Organization? IGOs and NGOs; Social Movements and Global Civil Society

13[対面/face to face]：Global Political Economy; Conclusion: Towards a Globalizing Post-Western-Dominated World
(Chapters 22-23)

The Age of Mercantilism; Liberal and Marxist Political Economy; The Post-War International Economic Order; The Impact of Globalization; Politics in a Globalizing World

14[対面/face to face]：Exam and Wrap-up

Assess to what degree students understand topics discussed; final exam

Before class, students should study the required readings and work on
the assignment (individual or group) to be submitted. After class, and
especially before an exam, students should review their notes, as well
as check the notes provided by the instructor. Preparatory study is 2
hours for each class session, but group work may entail an additional 30
minutes. Review for an exam would take at least 3 hours.

Robert Garner, Peter Ferdinand and Stephanie Lawson (2020), Introduction to Politics, 4th edition, Oxford: Oxford University Press. (Students must secure a copy of the book or photocopy chapters from the library copy.)

Andrew Heywood (2019), Politics, 5th edition, London: Red Globe Press.
Newspaper, magazine and journal articles dealing with more current events and developments.

Participation in class discussions and debates; assignments: 40% of overall course mark.
Midterm examination: 30%
Final examination: 30%

None.

Use of mobile phones, laptops and other electronic devices during class is prohibited (exceptions only in special cases).

None.