POL S101 Lecture 2: Studying Politics (1/4)

• School: University of Alberta
• Department: Political Science
• Course: POL S101
• Professor: David Wineroither

Document Summary

Cynicism is common, but healthy skepticism leads to better-informed citizens. Being involved means being better informed: box 1. 4 discusses overcoming apathy. This course will look at politics critically, but will consider how politics could improve our lives at home and abroad. Political studies, political science, politics : political studies: formal study of politics within and among nations. Several names for the discipline, but all are concerned with the same study: see box 1. 2 for examples of names for political studies. Power one of the most important concepts in politics. Power comes in various forms: leadership, influence, economic, military, protest. Ability to change behavior in others without exerting direct power over them . Politics is part of the social sciences: social sciences: scientific study of human society and social relationships. It teaches analytical thought, critical analysis, description, argumentation, and importance of balanced research.