Key Information
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Course Objectives
Computer Skills
Lab Classes
Lab class section lists
Course Web Site and Materials
Major Assignments and Evaluation
New: Web Guide Assignment Page
Printable Syllabus
Course Objectives
This course uses core concepts in comparative political science to analyze emerging patterns in Internet politics, and uses observable patterns of Internet politics to challenge existing theories of comparative politics. By the end of the course, you should be able to:
1. Identify the causal argument (explicit or implied) in a political science work.
2. Recognize and define certain core concepts in political science.
3. Use these concepts to analyze selected Internet-related policy challenges, as well as selected trends in online politics.
4. Identify challenges that patterns in Internet politics pose for some core concepts in political science.
5. Use the Internet to increase your knowledge and understanding of any political issue.
This course is Internet-intensive. Many of your assignments will require you to spend time visiting web sites or interacting online. You will need to have basic computer skills in order to do this work. You will also need regular access to a computer that is connected to the Internet, either on campus or at home.
UBC has a number of excellent resources that can help you acquire the computer skills you need for this course. A list of the skills expected in the course is below; please complete one of the training options listed on the course web site unless you:
1)
know how to use a standard, mouse-based operating system (Windows or Mac)
2)
know how to browse the web using Internet Explorer or Netscape
3)
know how to search for resources on the Internet using a search engine
like Yahoo or Google
4)
know to send and retrieve e-mail
5)
know how to use a word processor, such as Microsoft Word
AND
5) have an e-mail account through UBC or another internet service provider
Lab Classes
On alternate Thursdays, the course will meet for one-hour lab sessions in place of the lecture. These sessions will provide a chance for us to do some hands-on exploration of the issues we are addressing in lectures and readings. Please sign up in class for either the 1-2pm or 2-3pm lab section.
Course Web Site and Materials
The course readings include both online and printed materials. All of the printed materials are in the course pack, which you can purchase directly from me for $45. The online materials are listed in the syllabus, and you can also find them on the course web site. The web site is a core part of the course; be sure to visit it regularly (i.e. at least once between each lecture) to check for any reading changes or updates.
You are responsible for completing all readings before coming to the class for which they are assigned. A typical week includes about 60 pages of reading.
Internet access problems are not an excuse for incomplete reading. If you have difficulty reading online, print out the online readings. A full set of the online readings is available in printed form in the reserve room.
Major Assignments and Evaluation
Web guide (3 pages) and facilitation: 20%
Participation in lab classes and online discussion: 10%
Final paper, 12-15 pages, due in class April 4: 40%
Final Exam: 30%
The web guide is a short (3 page) paper that provides a guide to a small set of web sites (3-6 sites) relevant to one week's readings. Each student will submit one web guide at some point in the semester; a sign-up sheet will be circulated in class so that you may pick a date/topic.
I encourage students to complete the final paper in the form of an annotated web site on some aspect of Internet politics. We will cover the necessary web design skills in a lab class. More details will be provided in class and on the course web site.