GFPA1014

Introduction to Political Science

Semester 2, Session 2015/2016 (A151)

Lecturer:
Muhammad Afifi Abdul Razak
School of International Studies
Salam and greetings…
Outlines of discussion:
1. Introduction to the course.
2. Briefing on course syllabus.
3. Course evaluation and assignments.
4. Others…
1.Introduction to the course
• This course is INTRODUCTION TO POLITICAL SCIENCE.
• The gist of discussion in this course is mainly about POLITICS, ie, this course
focus on POLITICS as the central theme of its discussion.
• This course ask the following questions:
• What is the meaning of POLITICS?
• How POLITICS was applied in human life?
• How can we relate POLITICS to national and international level?
• Is POLITICS really matter to us?
• How do we apply POLITICS in our life?
• What POLITICS gives to ourselves and human civilization?
• Scholars in the field of POLITICS, aka POLITICAL SCIENTISTS created and
developed the study of POLITICS, known as POLITICAL SCIENCE to
enlightened people about POLITICS and its benefits.
2.Briefing on course syllabus
• Course name: Introduction to Political Science
• Course code/Group : GFPA1014 (C)
• Lecturer: Muhammad Afifi Abdul Razak
• Rationale of this course: Program core courses
• Semester/Year offered: 1/1
• Total student learning time:
• Credit hours: 4
• Pre-requisite: None
2.Briefing on course syllabus (continue…)
• Objectives of the course:
• To understand what is politics, political science, its field of study, and its importance
to human life.
• To acquire the knowledge on political concepts and theories, as well as gaining an
understanding and awareness of the function of political institutions, their processes
and their relationship with people.
• To understand and to relate politics with national (domestic politics) and
international level (international politics).
• Course learning outcomes
• To identify the basic assumptions, concepts and questions of empirical nature in
political science.
• To distinguish the different approaches in the study of political phenomena.
• To apply logical and critical thinking in the study of political concepts and institutions.
• To analyze the current political phenomenon.
2.Briefing on course syllabus (continue…)
• Transferable skills
• Communication, analytical thinking and problem-solving skills, and critical thinking.
• Teaching-learning and assessment strategy
• Mixed method; teacher-centered; student-centered; problem-based learning; case study
method.
• Synopsis
• This is the most fundamental course in the field of International Affairs. It is essential to study
this topic of political science in order to expose to the knowledge and thinking of political
scholars and actors, and to clearly understand any political events. This is an introductory
course in political science where various dimensions of politics will be explored starting from
its early development in the era of ancient Greek to the present time. Among the topics to be
discussed are political theories and philosophies, government and state administration,
political institutions, and international relations.
• Mode of delivery
• Lecture, discussion, question-answer, oral presentation, attending public lectures, study
visit/field trip, extra readings, self study/revision.
2.Briefing on course syllabus (continue…)
• Course evaluations
• Coursework (50%)
• Assignment, presentation, quizzes, tutorial, class participation, attendance, etc.
• Final examination (50%) – essay type answer.
• Mapping of the course/module to the program aims
• Mapping of the course/module to the program learning outcomes
• Topics/Sub-topics
1. Introduction
2. Politics and state
3. Government and administration
4. Politics and power
5. Constitutional law and governance
2.Briefing on course syllabus (continue…)
• Topics/Sub-topics (continue…)
6. Political systems
7. Political participation
8. Political ideologies
9. Islam and politics
10. Politics and international relations
• References
• Roskin, M.G., Cord, R.L., Medeiros, J.A., and Jones, W.S., Political Science: An Introduction, 12th Ed., Upper
Saddle River, USA: Pearson/Prentice-Hall, 2012.
• Mustafa Ishak and Afifi Abdul Razak, Politik dan Pemerintahan Negara, Singapore: Thomson Learning Asia,
2006.
• Abdul Rashid Moten and Syed Serajul Islam, Introduction to Political Science, 3rd Ed., Singapore: Cengage
Learning, 2009.
• Baylis, J., Smith, S., and Owens, P., The Globalization of World Politics: An Introduction to International
Relations, Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press, 2011.
• Goodin, R.E., The Oxford Handbook of Political Science, Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2009.
• Muhamed Selim el-Awa, On the Political System of Islamic State, Indianapolis, USA: American Trust, 1980.
3.Course evaluation and assignments
• Course evaluation
• Coursework (50%)
• Assignment (Individual)
• Oral presentation
• Quizzes
• Class participation
• Public lectures
• Study visit/Field trip (Class project)
• Attendance
• Final examination (50%)
3.Course evaluation and assignments (continue…)

• Assignments (Individual)
• Academic research paper.
• Format: English language, essay-type, 1.5 spacing, times new roman, 2,500 to
3,000 words not including references, page numbering on bottom right, APA-
style referencing (in-text or footnote, either one), full bibliography at the end
of assignment.
• No plagiarism.
• Topic for assignment: Any recent political issues at local, national or
international level.
4.Others….
THANK YOU AND WASSALAM….