LEBANESE INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY

POLSC.200 Introduction to Political Science Nabatiyeh Campus Class schedule: T.TH: 11-12:15 Room: 207 E Office Hours: TTH: 12:30-1:30 Room 108 Instructor: Abir Chaaban MA in Interdisciplinary Studies- International Law, International Relations, and History. York University Toronto, Canada, 2008. Politics and Law: York University, Toronto Canada, 2003. BS in Liberal Studies-Communication Arts and Cultural Studies. Lebanese American University, Beirut Lebanon 1990. Course Objective: This is an introductory course in political science. The course aims to introduce the major theories, ideologies, and concepts in political science. This course while it addresses the major subfields in political science has a special focus on the subfield of Lebanese Politics1, and the subfield of international relations. The course aims to introduce case studies within the context of Lebanese government and Middle East politics. Course Description: The Course is divided into three parts. The first part addresses the main concepts of political science, within the global context, and the Lebanese constitution. The Second part addresses structures and systems of governments, and the third tackles the crisis of nation building, revolution, and violence. Prerequisites: This course has no prerequisites. Required Readings: Course Kit POLS Introduction to Political Science Instructor handouts: These handouts summarize information related to the course lecture.
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Political Science could be divided into the following subfields: American politics, comparative politics International relations, political theory, Political methodology, public policy, public administration, and public law. This course will on Lebanese politics instead of American politics,.

Required readings are taken from the following textbooks Cobban, Helena. The Making of Modern Lebanon. Boulder, Colorado: Westview Press, 1985. Kaufman, Asher. Reviving Phoenicia: The Search for Identity in Lebanon. London: I.B. Tauris & Co. Ltd., 2004. El Khazen Farid, The Breakdown of the State in Lebanon 1967-1976. Cambridge, Massachusetts, 2000. Kindred, Hugh M., Karen Mickelson, Rene Provost, Linda C. Reif, Ted L. McDorman, Armand L.C. deMestral, and Sharon A. Williams. International Law Chiefly as Interpreted and Applied in Canada. Toronto: Edmond Montgomery Publications, Ltd., 2002. Michael G. Roskin et al, Political Science, An Introduction Ninth Edition (New Jersey: Pearson, 2006). Picard, Elizabeth. Lebanon a Shattered Country. New York: Holmes & Meier, 2002. Rotberg, Robert I., ed. State Failure and State Weakness in a Time of Terror. Washington, DC: Brookings Institution Press, 2003. Course Evaluation Attendance Participation/Discussions/Debates Midterm Research Paper /Presentation Final Exam 5% 20% 20% 35% 20%

Research paper: The research paper is a case study related to a contemporary political issue within the Middle East and/or Lebanon of the students choice. All students are expected to follow the term paper schedule. Schedule will published by the instructor by the end of week four of the course. The term paper must be organized around a thesis and a coherent outline. both must be approved by the instructor. Each student will present their paper on the last week of classes. Participation/Discussions/Debates: At the end of each lecture, discussion topics related to Lebanese politics are given in class. Each student will be assigned a topic. This student will prepare for the next session discussion. All class members should receive the points of discussion by e-mail before the next class.

Exams: Exams will test the students on the terms discussed, and information studied in class. Students will be given study questions prior to the exam. Extensions There will be no extensions for term paper except for illness or severe personal extenuating circumstances. Otherwise, twenty per cent will be deducted from your mark for each day, including weekends and holidays. Plagiarism: Ensure that you have acquainted your self with LIU regulations of plagiarism. All plagiarized papers will be awarded an F grade. Course Schedule: Part One: Concepts, Theories and Global Systems Week One Class Topic of Study Introduction to Course Syllabus Is Politics a Science Key Concepts: Legitimacy, Sovereignty, Authority Readings Michael G. Roskin et al, Political Science, An Introduction Ninth Edition (New Jersey: Pearson, 2006). 6-7 Instructor Handout

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The International State System Westphalia, the League of Nations, and the United Nations. World War I and the Collapse of the Ottoman Empire Theories of Political Science Vs. Political Ideologies Political Ideologies in Lebanon

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The Elements of Nationhood The Making of the State of Lebanon

Michael G. Roskin et al, Political Science, An Introduction 18-23 92-112, Instructor Handout Michael G. Roskin et al, Political Science, An Introduction Ninth Edition 36-41 Picard, Elizabeth. Lebanon a

Shattered Country. New York: Holmes & Meier, 2002. 2335 Five Individuals and Constitutions Comparison between The Constitution of Lebanon, the United States, and France Michael G. Roskin et al, Political Science, An Introduction Ninth Edition, Instructor-Handout

Part II: The Basic Elements and Systems of Government Six The Basic Institutions of Government Legislator, Executive Michael G. Roskin et al, Political Science, An Introduction Ninth Edition

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Midterm Paper Discussion Midterm Paper Discussion Each student must have a clear topic of his or her paper. 5% of your paper mark Each student must have a list of bibliography of books he will investigate for their topic. 10% of your paper mark Each Student must have developed a clear thesis, an introduction and a plan of development. Political Party and Party System Is Lebanon a Party System The Lebanese Confessional System The National Pact

Michael G. Roskin et al, Political Science, An Introduction Ninth Edition. Instructor Handout Michael G. Roskin et al, Political Science, An Introduction Ninth Edition.

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Elections Elections in Lebanon

Instructor Handout Ten Eleven Democracy, Totalitarianism and Authoritarianism Is Lebanon a Democracy Political Communication and the Media Lebanese Media and political parties Al Jadeed, OTV, Al-Manar, Future TV, MTV Michael G. Roskin et al, Political Science, An Introduction Ninth Edition Michael G. Roskin et al, Political Science, An Introduction Ninth Edition

Part III: Legitimacy, Sovereignty and Authority and the Crises of Nation Building Twelve The Crises of Nation Building Case Study the Collapse of the Lebanese Government 1975 Michael G. Roskin et al, Political Science, An Introduction Ninth Edition 36-41 Rotberg, Robert I., ed. State Failure and State Weakness in a Time of Terror. Washington, DC: Brookings Institution Press, 2003 Michael G. Roskin et al, Political Science, An Introduction Ninth Edition 355-375 Instructor Handout

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Violence and Revolution

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Revisiting the Concepts of Legitimacy, Sovereignty and Authority Case studies, the Case of Egypt, the case of Libya, the Case of Iraq

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Paper Presentations