PS1101E/GEK1003Introduction to Politics

Lecturer: Erik Mobrand

What is Politics?

• ‘Politics’ vs...

• public politics

• government

• ideology

What makes someone powerful?

What is Political Science?

Is a political scientist a scientist?

政治学

Political science is a social science

Political science is concerned with explaining political phenomena.

What do we do in PS?

The Fields of PS

• Comparative politics

• International relations

• Political theory

• Singapore politics

• Public administration

Comparative Politics

• PS2236: European Politics

• PS3236: Ethnicity and Religion in Asian Politics

• PS3261: Comparative Political Economy

International Relations

• PS2250: International Politics of Southeast Asia

• PS3240: International Security

• PS3251: International and Regional Organisations

Political Theory

• PS2253: Chinese Political Thought

• PS3259: American Political Thought

Singapore Politics

• PS2249: Government and Politics of Singapore

• PS3249: Singapore’s Foreign Policy

Public Administration

• PS2241: Public Administration in Asia

• PS3243: Public Sector Organisational Behaviour

Why Political Science?

Why am I here?

What PS offers you

• General skills, NOT specific ones

• Critical thinking skills

• Reading

• Writing

Overview of the module

Readings

• Text: Political Science: An Introductory Text

• by Kripa Sridharan (McGraw Hill, 2008)

• Internet: links on syllabus

• IVLE e-reserves

Tasks for module

• Reading

• Attending lectures

• Writing

• Discussion groups

• Exam

How to Read (even though you already know)

• Read for main ideas

• What is the author’s reasoning?

• Avoid getting lost in details

• Re-read

• Take notes

• What is your response?

Lectures

• Lecture material vs texts

• Availability of slides

Writing

• PS ideas are expressed through writing

• Writing and re-writing

Discussion groups

• You must register for a tutorial

• Four meetings during the semester

Exam

• Yes, there is one

• And also a test

Resources

• Student guide

• PS Peers Programme

• IVLE

Consultation hours

• Tuesdays, 1:30-3:30

• AS1, level 4, #39

Next week: Leadership

• How much do leaders do?

• Do leaders deserve credit (and blame) for outcomes?

• What are the traits of a good leader?