POLI 103 Political Ideology

The purpose of this course is to introduce students to the study of political ideology. The course will explore the nature of ideology, the role played by ideology in inspiring and guiding political parties and movements, in legitimating governments and states, and in sparking revolution and political upheaval. The course will investigate the philosophical bases and historical origins of the most important political ideologies and will critically analyze their tenets as well as their contradictions and limitations.

Credits

3

Prerequisite

Eligible to enroll in ENGL 121

Hours Weekly

3 hours weekly

Course Objectives

1. 1. Summarize critically and explain the fundamental elements of political ideologies such as
   liberalism, conservatism, socialism, anarchism, fascism, nationalism, and religious
   fundamentalism as it applies to politics.
2. 2. Analyze critically major issues involving political ideology, identify their assumptions, explore
   contrasting positions, and arrive at their own positions on these issues.
3. 3. Use and evaluate the methods of political science to assess evidence on issues involving
   political ideology.
   
4. 4. Apply political theory and research to controversies involving political ideology to draw
   conclusions about resolving them.
   
5. 5. Apply the concept of ideology to analyze developments in American and international politics
   both historically and in the contemporary world.
6. 6. Analyze contemporary political movements to determine their ideological underpinnings and
   inspirations.
7. 7. Analyze the ways in which political ideologies are employed and transformed in order to
   legitimate and guide the actions of states and governments.
8. 8. Investigate the possibility of the emergence of new ideologies as society and politics evolve
   and identify what elements are likely to be present in what develops.
9. 9. Formulate specific, unified, and concise theories through writing that demonstrate an understanding of political science thinking.

Course Objectives

1. 1. Summarize critically and explain the fundamental elements of political ideologies such as
   liberalism, conservatism, socialism, anarchism, fascism, nationalism, and religious
   fundamentalism as it applies to politics.
2. 2. Analyze critically major issues involving political ideology, identify their assumptions, explore
   contrasting positions, and arrive at their own positions on these issues.
3. 3. Use and evaluate the methods of political science to assess evidence on issues involving
   political ideology.
   
4. 4. Apply political theory and research to controversies involving political ideology to draw
   conclusions about resolving them.
   
5. 5. Apply the concept of ideology to analyze developments in American and international politics
   both historically and in the contemporary world.
6. 6. Analyze contemporary political movements to determine their ideological underpinnings and
   inspirations.
7. 7. Analyze the ways in which political ideologies are employed and transformed in order to
   legitimate and guide the actions of states and governments.
8. 8. Investigate the possibility of the emergence of new ideologies as society and politics evolve
   and identify what elements are likely to be present in what develops.
9. 9. Formulate specific, unified, and concise theories through writing that demonstrate an understanding of political science thinking.