I'm taking an intro to political science for the first time and it starts in about a week. I'm still in high school but I'mtaking college classes at the local unversity and even though I've been doing this for two years now this is a different type of class for me and I'm interested in the topic but what should I expect?
2006-08-26 14:30:37 · 7 answers · asked by Gwennan 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Other - Politics & Government
Hello. I teach Introduction to Political Science at the University level and often have high school students in my classes. Though I can't speak for all classes of this sort, I can tell you the following:
1. If you have general knowledge about politics and government, the course will not be to hard. The most challenging part is usually applying scientific thinking to political questions. This is not something that you normally learn at high school.
2. There will probably be a unit on political philosophy. This is often the most difficult material for students to remember.
3. Normally you will have to write a paper (6-10 pages is what I have seen) on some sort of topic. It may well be your first analytical paper. By analytical I mean more than simply descriptive.
Overall, my guess is that you will do well. High school students are normally in a class because of good high school performance and a desire to learn and get an early start on post-secondary education. As a result, high school students normally earn above average grades in my classes.
Good Luck!!!
2006-08-28 09:52:02 · answer #1 · answered by Spork 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It will probably be a recycled version of the same things you learn in high school civics- the history of the Constitution, the three branches of government, how a bill becomes a law, etc. You will probably also learn about voting patterns and the basic differences and histories of political parties, along with comparisons of our government to other nations' governments.
In addition, expect to do readings from The Federalist Papers and to stay abreast of current events. You'll probably have to write a paper or two on generic political topics.
2006-08-26 21:36:46 · answer #2 · answered by timm1776 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Expect your professor to be biased either one way or the other. All of my political science and history professors in college were, and it was easy to tell which side of the political spectrum they fell on. Just be open-minded during lectures and don't be afraid to bullshit a little on your essays (after all, it *is* a political course).
2006-08-26 21:37:27 · answer #3 · answered by bullet_to_the_brain 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Political science??? You should expect a bunch of jabbering mindless fools who think they know what's best.
2006-08-27 19:39:21 · answer #4 · answered by High-strung Guitarist 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
if you are into the issues and you are outspoken, expect to have lots of differing opinions on your beliefs
2006-08-26 21:36:53 · answer #5 · answered by one_sera_phim 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Prepare to be assimilated into the liberal collective.
2006-08-26 21:35:25 · answer #6 · answered by Roadkill 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
if you watch the news regularly and you "know what they are talking about" on the news... then you should be MORE THAN FINE...
2006-08-26 21:33:10 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋