HSUHK | CCCO

GEN1021 Making Sense of Politics

Department
Social Science
Semester
AY2016/17 Sem 2, AY2017/18 Sem 2, AY2018/19 Sem 2, AY2019/20 Sem 1, AY2020/21 Sem 1, AY2020/21 Sem 2, AY2021/22 Sem 1, AY2021/22 Sem 2, AY2021/22 Summer Sem, AY2023/24 Sem 2, AY2023/24 Summer Sem
Method
Lecture 3 hours
Cluster
2 (Social Sciences)

Prerequisite

GEN1000 Perspectives on General Education 

Exclusion

ASI1001/ PPE1004 Fundamentals of Political Science;

GEN1011 Fundamentals of Political Science

Module Description

This module aims to provide a preliminary understanding of power and dominance, and to analyse the relationship between state and individuals. It introduces the fundamental concepts, methods and interpretative frameworks needed for a more systematic understanding of politics. It familiarises students with the major controversial political and socio-economic issues as well as the knowledge of the operations of various political systems.

Module Intended Learning Outcomes (MILO)

Upon completion of this module, students should be able to: 
a. develop an understanding of power and dominances; 
b. illustrate the relationship between state and individuals; 
c. examine the concepts of power, state, law, legitimacy, political culture, political participation, political system and party, and political development; and
d. critically analyse various political issues with major political concepts

Module Content

1. Political Knowledge

1.1 Studying politics
1.2 Political thought
1.3 Political ideologies

2. Political actors and processes

2.1 Political culture and socialization
2.2 Nation and state
2.3 Political parties and interest groups
2.4 Election and voting

3. Political systems

3.1 Regimes
3.2 Constitutional design
3.3 Parliamentary system
3.4 Presidential system

4. Challenge to the state

4.1 Political development
4.2 Global Politics

Assessment Methods

1. Presentation (10%)
2. Test (20%)
3. Group Project (30%)
4. Examination (40%)

Texts & References

  1. Heywood, Andrew. 2019. Politics. 5th ed., Red Globe Press.
  2. Ethridge, M & Handelman. H. (2014). Politics in a Changing World (7th Ed). New York: Cengage Learning.

    Reference materials:

  3. Hague, R., Harrop, M. and McCormick, J., 2019. Comparative government and politics. 11th ed. London: Red Globe Press.
  4. Lijphart, Arend. (1999). Patterns of Democracy. New Haven: Yale University Press.
  5. Roskin, M. G. et al. (2014). Political Science: An Introduction (13th Ed). New York: Pearson.