Course Overview
This course introduces students to the study of modern politics in the Western world. The course covers the central concepts and issues in political science and international relations. We will examine such topics as power, legitimacy, authority, the state, government, justice, rights, democracy, ideology, political parties and political culture. Case studies and seminars will be drawn from contemporary Canadian politics to illustrate these concepts. Students will also be introduced to the ideas of political theorists such as Aristotle, Locke, Rousseau, Marx, Weber, and Arendt. The course will first focus on the concepts of the state and the citizen, looking at ideas such as authority, rights, ideology, sovereignty and obligations. The second part of the course will examine two key aspects of contemporary politics: identity and globalization.
Prerequisite(s)
- ENGL 1177‡ (‡ must be taken concurrently)
Credits
3.0
- Retired
- This course has been retired and is no longer offered. Find other Flexible Learning courses that may interest you.
Learning Outcomes
After successfully completing this course, the student will be able to
- Define the key concepts and structures of modern Western politics.
- Apply these concepts to political issues and problems in Canada.
- Use political theory and concepts to analyze contemporary Canadian and world politics.
- Compare and contrast modern political ideologies and parties.
- Analyze contemporary political crises based on identity and globalization.
- Use critical thinking skills in speaking, reading, and writing about political issue.
- Identify major theorists and theories and their contributions to Western politics.
Effective as of Fall 2006
Programs and courses are subject to change without notice. Find out more about BCIT course cancellations.