ASPO 17A05 - Political Science (Africa Minor)

This course is an introduction to Political Science. It provides a comprehensive overview of the discipline

by examining its core concepts, theories, and methods. The course aims to equip students with the

theoretical frameworks that political scientists use to analyze and explain political phenomena. Students

will learn not only what political scientists know about politics, but also how they produce that knowledge

and apply it to contemporary political issues.

The course covers key topics such as the State, government, political parties, public opinion, and political

participation, while introducing the major theories, approaches, and methodologies used to study these

subjects. Particular emphasis is placed on understanding the assumptions, strengths, and limitations of

competing theoretical perspectives, as well as situating these theories within their historical and intellectual

contexts.

The course is structured to develop students' knowledge, analytical abilities, and critical thinking.

Throughout the semester, students will be encouraged to apply theoretical concepts to concrete examples

drawn from contemporary politics. By examining issues central to power and society, the course seeks to

foster a critical understanding of political life and provide students with the tools needed to analyze current

political developments. The professor will address broad questions that illustrate how political science

theories can help us make sense of the world around us, such as: In what sense are states and nations

historical constructs? Is democracy in crisis? Why do so few people vote in contemporary democracies?

Why are some issues prioritized on the political and media agenda while others are not?

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The assessment for this course consists of a final examination (50% of the final grade) and continuous assessment (50%).

The continuous assessment component is composed of:

• A mid-term examination (40% of the continuous assessment grade);
• An oral presentation 40%
• Active participation in the methods seminars 20%

The final examination (3 hours) and the mid-term examination (3 hours) will each consist of two parts.

First, students will answer one essay question chosen from a selection of two questions. This section is

designed to assess students’ knowledge and understanding of the concepts, theories, and debates

covered in the lectures. Second, students will complete one document commentary chosen from a

selection of two documents. This section is designed to assess students’ ability to mobilize the concepts

and theories introduced in the lectures, methods seminars, and readings in order to analyze a short textual

or visual document.

Both examinations will take place in person on the Sciences Po Reims campus during the regular mid-

term and final examination periods (exact dates to be confirmed by the administration). Examples of

examination questions are available on Moodle. In Week 5, the methods seminars will include a dedicated

session on examination techniques and expectations. In Week 12, students will receive detailed feedback

on the mid-term examination. These sessions are intended to help students prepare effectively for the

course assessments.

The oral presentation and participation grade are assessed within the methods seminars. Students will

complete one group presentation during the semester. The presentation will primarily focus on a key text

assigned by the teaching assistant. Students will also be expected to conduct additional research and

demonstrate how the ideas developed in the text can help illuminate contemporary political phenomena.

Further details, including assessment criteria, will be provided by the teaching assistant during Week 1.

The participation grade will be based on students’ engagement in seminar discussions, particularly

discussions of the weekly assigned readings. Assessment criteria and expectations regarding participation

will also be communicated by the teaching assistant during Week 1.

This course does not require any prior knowledge of political science and has no formal prerequisites.

Students are expected to complete one required reading each week, typically consisting of a short text of

approximately 20-30 pages. These readings are designed to complement the lectures and provide

material for discussion in the methods seminars. Beyond these weekly readings, students should allocate

time to prepare for course assessments, including oral presentations and exams. No preparation or

reading is required before the first session of the course. Additional optional readings will also be provided

for students wishing to explore particular topics in greater depth.

The final grade is composed of two equal parts: 50% from the final exam and 50% from continuous assessment.