Introduction to Political Science

POLS 1001-01
Dr. Omneya El Naggar
Fall 2017
Class: HUSS CP 52
Thursdays 10:00 am – 11:15 am
Mondays Mary Cross Lecture Hall 3:30-4:45

Course Description

The aim of this course is to introduce students to the main concepts and issues of political science.
Students will be familiarized with the different conceptual and analytical tools in political science.
Throughout the semester, students will be exposed to different dilemmas: Why are some countries in the
international system more than others? What is the importance of power in politics? What is the
importance of political and social institutions? Why are some countries democratic and others
authoritarian? Why are some countries rich and others poor?

The course is structured around a weekly general lecture, in which all 101 classes convene, and one
weekly discussion group. Six political science faculty members, who belong to different disciplines in
the field, teach this course. Each weekly lecture will be delivered by a different faculty member
specialized in that week’s topic. The smaller discussion groups will enable students to explore and have
more in-depth understanding about the topic covered in the weekly lecture and assigned materials.
Note that assignments and exams are given separately in the different discussion groups.

Course Requirements

Attendance and Participation 10%

2 Assignments 15% (each)
3 Exams 20% (each)
Students will be assigned three assignments, and the best two scores will be counted in their final grade.
All examinations will NOT be comprehensive.
ALL GRADES ARE FINAL and NON-NEGOTIABLE
Plagiarism in any form is not tolerated and will result in an immediate “F” for the course.

Grading Scale:

A 94-100 B+ 87-89 C+ 77-79 D+ 67-69

A- 90-93 B 84-86 C 74-76 D 60-66
B- 80-83 C- 70-73 F < 59

GRADE DISTRIBUTION
Participation 10% Three Exams 60%
Assignments (Best 2 out of 3) 30%

Attendance Policy

As per AUC policy, 'a student who misses more than the equivalent of three weeks of class meetings
during a semester for any reason may be assigned a reduced grade for the course - including the grade of
“F” - solely on the basis of inadequate attendance, regardless of excuse.' After all, we can surely agree
that missing that much time would call into question what you are able to get out of this course.

Required Text

A POLS Reading File is available in the AUC Copy Center and via course website, available here:
https://sites.google.com/a/aucegypt.edu/pols-1001-2003/?pli=1

In addition to doing the readings, students are encouraged to regularly read the newspapers, and be
familiar with current international affairs. Interesting web sites are: http://www.bbc.co.uk/;
http://www.democracynow.org/; http://www.independent.co.uk/; http://www.jadaliyya.com/;
http://www.mouftah.org/

Key Terms and Concepts:

By the end of the semester you should be familiar with the following concepts amongst many others:

Democracy
Treaty of Westphalia
Nation-State
Imperialism
Nationalism
Sovereignty
Polarity
Unipolar System
Bipolar System
Multipolar System
Bretton Woods Institutions
Intergovernmental Organizations
Non-Governmental Organizations
Human Rights
International Relations
Economic Development

Instructors for the Course

POLS 1001-01
Dr. Maye Kassem
Office: HUSS 2009
mayekasm@aucegypt.edu

POLS 1001-02
Dr. Omneya El Naggar
Office: HUSS 2001
o.elnaggar@aucegypt.edu
POLS 1001-03
Dr. Riham Bahi
Office: HUSS 2026
rbahi@aucegypt.edu

POLS 1001-04
Iman Hamdi
Office: HUSS 1062
cairopa@aucegypt.edu

POLS 1001-05
Dr. James H. Sunday
Office: HUSS 2002
sunday@aucegypt.edu

POLS 2003-01
Dr. Manar Shorbagy
Office: HUSS 2027
manash@aucegypt.edu

POLS 2003-02
Dr. Holly Ann Oberle
Office: HUSS 2013
holly.oberle@aucegypt.edu
Schedule of Topics & Readings

OVERVIEW OF LECTURES AND READINGS

# DATE TOPIC LECTURER

INDIVIDUAL LECTURES: PART I

0 Monday, 5 February Introduction to the Course All faculty

Thursday, 8 February Discussion Session Individual faculty

1 Monday, 12 February Politics as Power Dr. Manar Shorbagy

Thursday, 15 February Discussion Session Individual faculty

2 Monday, 19 February Political Ideologies Dr. James H. Sunday

Thursday, 22 February Discussion Session Individual faculty

3 Monday, 26 February Ethics & Politics Dr. James H. Sunday

Thursday, 1 March Discussion Session Individual faculty

4 Monday, 5 March Special Topic Lecture TBD

Thursday, 8 March EXAM 1 (in discussion) Individual faculty

INDIVIDUAL LECTURES: PART II

5 Monday, 12 March The State & Modern World Order Dr. Omneya El Naggar

Thursday, 15 March Discussion Session Individual faculty

6 Monday, 19 March International Relations Dr. Holly Oberle

Thursday, 22 March Discussion Session Individual faculty

7 Monday, 26 March Political Economy & Globalization Dr. Ibrahim Elnur

Thursday, 29 March Discussion Session Individual faculty

8 Monday, 16 April Development Dr. Tamer ElGindi

Thursday, 19 April Discussion Session Individual faculty

9 Monday, 23 April Special Topic Lecture TBD

Thursday, 26 April EXAM 2 (in discussion) Individual faculty

INDIVIDUAL LECTURES: PART III

10 Monday, 30 April Political Participation Dr. Sandrine Gamblin

Thursday, 3 May Discussion Session Individual faculty

11 Monday, 7 May Democratization & Regime Change Dr. Omneya El Naggar

Thursday, 10 May Discussion Session Individual faculty

12 Monday, 14 May Human Rights Dr. Riham Bahi

13 Thursday, 17 May, 11:30- EXAM 3 (in Shafik Gabr Hall) All faculty
1:30

# DATE TOPIC LECTURER

INDIVIDUAL LECTURES: PART I
0 Sunday, 10 Introduction to the All faculty
September Course
Wednesday, 13 Discussion Session Individual faculty
September
1 Sunday, 17 Politics as Power Dr. Manar Shorbagy
September
Wednesday, 20 Discussion Session Individual faculty
September
2 Sunday, 24 Political Ideologies Dr. James H.
September Sunday
Wednesday, 27 Discussion Session Individual faculty
September
3 Sunday, 1 October Ethics & Politics Dr. James H.
Sunday
Wednesday, 4 Discussion Session Individual faculty
October
4 Sunday, 8 October Special Topic Lecture TBD
Wednesday, 11 EXAM 1 (in discussion) Individual faculty
October
Office Hours:
HUSS 2001
Mondays from 11:00 till 1:00
Email: o.elnaggar@aucegypt.edu
Office Phone #: 1934