Introduction to Politics

1. PS1101E/GEK1003
Introduction to Politics
Lecturer: Erik Mobrand

2. What is Politics?
• ‘Politics’ vs...
• public politics
• government
• ideology

3. What makes someone powerful?

4. What is Political Science?
Is a political scientist a scientist?

5. Political science is a social science

6. What do we do in PS?
Political science is concerned with explaining political
phenomena.

7. The Fields of PS
• Comparative politics
• International relations
• Political theory
• Singapore politics
• Public administration

8. Comparative Politics
• PS2236: European Politics
• PS3236: Ethnicity and Religion in Asian
Politics
• PS3261: Comparative Political Economy

9. International Relations
• PS2250: International Politics of Southeast
Asia
• PS3240: International Security
• PS3251: International and Regional
Organisations

10. Political Theory
• PS2253: Chinese Political Thought
• PS3259: American Political Thought

11. Singapore Politics
• PS2249: Government and Politics of
Singapore
• PS3249: Singapore’s Foreign Policy

12. Public Administration
• PS2241: Public Administration in Asia
• PS3243: Public Sector Organisational
Behaviour

13. Why Political Science?

14. Why am I here?

15. What PS offers you
• General skills, NOT specific ones
• Critical thinking skills
• Reading
• Writing

16. Overview of the module

17. Readings
• Text: Political Science: An Introductory Text
• by Kripa Sridharan (McGraw Hill, 2008)
• Internet: links on syllabus
• IVLE e-reserves

18. Tasks for module
• Reading
• Attending lectures
• Writing
• Discussion groups
• Exam

19. 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?

20. Lectures
• Lecture material vs texts
• Availability of slides

21. Writing
• PS ideas are expressed through writing
• Writing and re-writing

22. Discussion groups
• You must register for a tutorial
• Four meetings during the semester

23. Exam
• Yes, there is one
• And also a test

24. Resources
• Student guide
• PS Peers Programme
• IVLE

25. Consultation hours
• Tuesdays, 1:30-3:30
• AS1, level 4, #39

26. Next week: Leadership
• How much do leaders do?
• Do leaders deserve credit (and blame) for
outcomes?
• What are the traits of a good leader?