University of the East - Caloocan

College of Arts and Sciences

DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SCIENCES
School Year 2011-2012

A. SUBJECT : Political Science 111 (ZPS 111/PS112)

B. COURSE TITLE : Politics and Government with the New Constitution

C. COURSE CREDIT : 3 units

D. COURSE DESCRIPTION : This course gives an overview of the study of

political science with emphasis on politics and governance, constitutionalism,
selected political and philosophical ideologies that shaped various forms and nature
of government. The primary focus will be on the study of the 1987 Philippine
Constitution, specifically on the structure of the Philippine government.

E. PREREQUISITE : NONE

F. COURSE OBJECTIVES :

1. General : At the end of the course, the student should be able to:

1.1 Discuss the basic concepts and approaches used in the study of politics and governance;
1.2 Understand concepts on Philippine politics, government and Constitution and analyze how these concepts
and institutions affect their lives;
1.3 Develop critical thinking through comparative analysis and appreciation of contemporary political issues in
the Philippines and in the world;
1.4 Understand the basis of constitution in a universal perspective and evaluate its significance in
democracies and governments
1.5 Develop an informed, articulate and independent stand on global and domestic political issues.
 2. Specific : At the end of the course, the student should be able to:

2.1 Cognitive

2.1.1 Define and explain the meaning of politics and governance;

2.1.2 Analyze the different political ideologies and philosophical concepts and show how they
shape various forms and nature of government;
2.1.3 Point out the similarities and differences between democratic and authoritarian systems as
major types of political regimes;
2.1.4 Explain how politics could be an effective tool for development;
2.1.5 Explain the concept of globalization and its implications on the traditional role of the state
in international relations;
2.1.6 Enumerate and explain the powers of the three branches of the government as provided
under the 1987 Philippine Constitution.

2.2 Affective

2.2.1 Understand the true meaning of politics and governance and be able to practice in our
society;
2.2.2 Take cognizance of the important role of politics in the socio-economic development of our
society;
2.2.3 Participate actively in the affairs of the country;
2.2.4 Recognize the importance of knowing their rights under the law and learn to exercise those
rights responsibly and with due regards for the rights of others;
2.2.5 Participate in the discussion of basic problems of our society and contribute to their
immediate solutions;
2.2.6 Enhance their sense of responsibility as citizens of the country and as future leaders;
2.2.7 Develop and exhibit values of nationalism, self-reliance, respect for and obedience to laws
and duly constituted authorities, integrity, accountability, and social responsibility.

G. COURSE REQUIREMENTS

1. Major examinations (Preliminary, Midterm and Finals)

2. Quizzes (long and short)
3. Recitation / Class Participation
 4. Written reports and Research papers / reaction or reflection papers
5. Group activities (role playing, panel discussions, debate, quiz bee)
6. Seatwork
7. Take home assignments
8. Visits to various government agencies and offices and interviews with government officials, bureaucrats and
technocrats

H. COURSE CONTENT/OUTLINE

WEEKS / READING SUGGESTED

HOURS TOPIC OUTLINE ASSIGNMENTS ACTIVITIES EVALUATION

1st week A. Concept of Politics in Everyday Life and Magstadt, T., Class discussion Class
3 hours How it Affect Us (2006) participation
B. Essential Vocabulary and concepts of Group work rating
politics like governance, order, state, Haywood, A.,
power authority and control (2007) Seatwork: Reflection paper
C. Role of Culture/Values of the People in Individual evaluation
the Political Behavior Abinales, P. reflection paper
D. Inherent Powers of the State (2005) on politics Quiz

2nd to 3rd week E. Political Theories/Ideologies De Leon (2008) Class discussion Class
6 hours 1. Plato (The Republic) participation
2. Machiavelli ( The Prince) Research Paper rating
3. Thomas Hobbes (Leviathan)
4. Adam Smith (The Wealth of Nations Research paper
and the Invisible Hand) evaluation
5. Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart
Mill’s Utilitarianism Quiz
6. Aristotle
7. Socrates
8. Jean Jacques Rousseau
9. John Locke
10. Max Weber
11. Karl Marx
4th week F. Comparative Political Systems: Lawson, K., Class discussion Class
3 hours 1. Models of Presidential and participation
Parliamentary Government Morada, N., Panel discussion rating
2. Models of Democracy Philippine Politics
2.1 Philippine Democracy: Past and and Governance: Reaction paper Reaction paper
Present An Introduction evaluation
2.2 Participatory-Accountable Elite Group work
Model Film “Batas Quiz
2.3 Majoritarian-Consensual Model Militar”
3. Authoritarian and Dictatorship: Key
Characteristics
4. Unitary versus Federal Government

5th week G.Constitutionalism De Leon, H., Research work Class

3 hours 1. Meaning of Constitution (2008), pp. 18-22; on the participation
2. Classifications, Characteristics and pp. 31-35; pp. 37- Constitution of rating
Functions 42; pp. 44-68 different
3. Contents countries in the Research work
4. Growth of Constitution Organista., The world evaluation
5. Preamble 1987 Philippine
6. Article 1 (The National Territory) Constitution, pp. Discussion Quiz
17-29; pp. 37-76

6th and 7th H. Declaration of Principles and State Family Code of Newspaper Class
week Policies the Philippines clippings participation
6 hours 1. Concept of Republicanism analysis rating
2. Renunciation of Aggressive War Local
3. Separation of Church and State Government Discussion Quiz
4. Nuclear Free Zone Policy Code
5. Philippine Foreign Policy Newscasting
6. Social Justice Program
7. Sanctity of Marriage and Family Debates
8. Autonomy and Local Government
Units
9. Gender Equality
 PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION

8th to 9th week I. Fundamental Rights and Freedom of the De Leon, H., Comic Strips Class
6 hours People (2008), pp. 69- participation
1. Right to Life and Liberty 124; pp. 125-137; Opinion article rating
2. Right to Property pp. 138-146 writing
3. Right to Due Process Opinion article
Organista., The Reports on evaluation
J. Duties and Obligations of Citizens 1987 Philippine human rights
Constitution, pp. violation in the Report evaluation
K. Citizenship 75-109; pp. 111- Philippines
120 Debate evaluation
Debate on the
Death Penalty Quiz
Law

Class discussion

10th to 11th L. Political Participation Organista, pp. Class discussion Class

week 1. Meaning of Election, Suffrage, 121-123 participation
6 hours Referendum, Plebiscite, Recall and Recitation rating
Initiative Ayson and Reyes.
2. Types of Electoral System Pp. 179-187; pp. Quiz
2.1 Run-off Majority 193-203
2.2 Plurality System
2.3 Proportional Representation
3. Differences between Political Parties
and Pressure Groups
4. Qualification and Disqualification of
Voters
5. Major Problems and Issues in
Election
6.
12th week M. Political Leadership and Party Politics Austin., Role playing Class
3 hours 1. Political Parties (Definition, Types and Introduction to participation
Functions) Political Science Class discussion rating
2. Pressure and Interest Groups
3. Public Opinion and Democratic Lawson., Campaign Role playing
Governance Introduction to speeches using evaluation
4. Propaganda Techniques Politocal Science propaganda
techniques Speech
evaluation

Quiz
MIDTERM EXAMINATION

13th to 14th N. The Legislative Branch De Leon pp. 153- Interviewing Class
week 1. Unicameralism versus Bicameralism 198; 327-345; pp. legislators participation
6 hours 2. Philippine Legislature 486-489 rating
2.1 structure Mock
2.2 membership Organista, pp. Congress/Role Interview
2.3 immunities and Disabilities of 124-165 playing evaluation
Members
2.4 Powers and Functions The Senate that Class discussion Role playing
2.5 Articles XI and XVIII as Powers of Said NO: A Four evaluation
Congress Year Record of Research paper
2.6 The Law Making Process the First Post on laws/bills Research paper
EDSA Senate by authored or evaluation
Jovito Salonga sponsored by
lawmakers Quiz

15th to 16th O. The Executive Branch De Leon, pp. 200- Film showing Class
week 1. Meaning of the Executive Power 234 participation
6 hours 2. Manner of Election, Term of Office, Reaction paper rating
Qualifications of the President and Organist, pp. 167-
the Vice-President 200 Interview with Reaction paper
3. Grounds for Presidential Succession cabinet members evaluation
4. Powers of the President and bureaucrats
 17th week P. The Judicial Branch De Leon, pp. 235- Class discussion Interview
3 hours 1. Organization of Philippine Courts 265 evaluation
2. Composition, Powers and Functions
of the Supreme Court Organista, pp. Quiz
3. Factors that Ensure the 201-216
Independence of the Judiciary

18th week Q. The Constitutional Commissions De Leon, pp. 267- Assignment: Class
6 hours 1. Compositions, powers and functions 308 Chart on the participation
of: composition, rating
1.1 Civil Service Austin, Organista, qualification of
1.2 Commission on Audit pp. 215-233 members, Chart evaluation
1.3 Commission on Elections powers and
2. Qualification of Members Organista, pp. functions Research work
234-239 evaluation
Class discussion
Quiz
Research work

Final
requirement
presentation
FINAL EXAMINATION

I. SUMMARY

Weeks Topics Hours

st
1 week A. Concept, Origin, Theories, Elements, Inherent Powers of the State
3
nd rd
2 and 3 week B. Political Theories/Ideologies 6
4th week C. Comparative Political Systems 3
5th week D. Constitutionalism, Preamble, Article I 3
6th and 7th week E. Declaration of Principles and State Policies 6
8th and 9th week F. Fundamental Rights and Freedoms, Duties and Obligations, and 6
 Citizenship
th th
10 and 11 week G. Political Participation on Electoral Process 6
12th week H. Political Leadership and Party Politics 3
13th and 14th week I. The Legislative Branch 5
15th and 16th week J. The Executive Branch 4
17th week K. The Judicial Branch 3
18th week L. The Constitutional Commissions 3
Major Examinations 3
Total 54
 Week / hours are flexible depending on the length of topic to be discussed.

J. STUDENT PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT

1. University grading system: 11-point grading system, cumulative
2. Assessment criteria per term (based on university grading system policies)

Criteria Weight
Term Exam (Prelim, Midterm, Final) 30%
Average of unit tests and Quizzes 35%
Class Participation 30%
(Class discussion, seatwork,
Group work, assignment)

Personal quality development/value 5%

Integration

TOTAL 100%

K. REFERENCES/READINGS :

Printed Resources

Textbook: De Leon, Hector S. (2008). Textbook on Philippine Constitution. Quezon City: Rex Bookstore.

Abinales, Patricio N. (2005). State and Society in the Philippines. New York: Rowman and Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Ayson, Florentino (2000). Fundamentals of Political Science, 2 nd Edition. Manila: National Bookstore.

Austin, Ranney Introduction to Political Science, 8 th edition: Prentice Hall

Heywood, Andrew (2007). Politics, 3rd edition. New York: MacMillan Palgraves.

Lawson, Kay (2002). The Human Polity: Introduction to Political Science, 5 th edition: Wadsworth Publishing.

Magstadt, Thomas (2006). Understanding Politics: Ideas, Institutions and Issues, 7 th edition. California: Belmont

Morada, Noel (2006). Philippine Politics and Governance: An Introduction, Department of Political Science: UP Diliman,

Organista, A. and Rivera A. (2000). Philippine Government and the 1987 Constitution. Manila: Knowledge Educational
Supply,

Salonga, Jovito (1995). The Senate that Said NO: A Four-Year Record of the First Post EDSA Senate: UP Press, 1995

Non-Print Resources

Batas Militar - Martial Law (2009). A Documentary. Retrieved May 30, 2011, from www.filipinasoul.com/2008/09/
...militar...law-a-documentary

Introduction to Political Science (2011, March 1). Youtube clip. Retrieved May 27, 2011, from http://www.youtube.com/
watch?v=NR_Rglzamoo&feature=related

Online Resources

1987 Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines. Chan Robles Virtual Library. Retrieved May 27, 2011, from
http://www.chanrobles.com/philsupremelaw1.htm

Philippine Government Officials (2006). Philippine Country Guide. Retrieved May 30, 2011, from www. philippinecountry.com/
government_officials

Philippine government, departments, embassies, police and army (n.d.). Find Government Sites at Philstart.com. Retrieved
May 30, 2011, from www.philstart.com/linkpages/government.htm
Endorsed by:

CAS Curricular Review Committee

Approved by:

DEAN JULIAN E. ABUSO, PH.D.