Power in Practice: Governments, Rights and Global Policy

This discussion-based political science course investigates how governments use power to address rights, public policy, and global challenges. Weekly Policy Dossiers include constitutions, laws, court decisions, speeches, treaties, news, and data; students compare approaches across countries, analyze primary sources, debate perspectives, and build evidence-based conclusions and proposals.

Materials needed:

Students will need:

💻 Reliable internet access and a device capable of viewing PDFs, Canva files, videos, and online resources.

📁 A folder (digital or physical) to organize weekly Policy Dossiers.

📓 A notebook or digital note-taking system for recording observations, discussion notes, and policy investigations.

📄 Access to Google Docs, Microsoft Word, Canva, Google Slides, or a similar platform for assignments and projects.

🖨️ Access to a printer is recommended but not required.

📚 A 1–2 inch binder and divider tabs are highly recommended for students who prefer working with printed materials and want to build a Policy Dossier binder throughout the semester.

Each week students will receive a professionally designed Policy Dossier created in Canva. These dossiers contain primary and secondary sources, including:

📜 Constitutions, laws, and court decisions

🎤 Speeches, policy proposals, and government documents

📰 News articles and media coverage

📊 Data, charts, surveys, and research findings

🌍 Global case studies and country profiles

🤝 International agreements and treaties

🎨 Political cartoons, campaign materials, and public messaging

Policy Dossiers will be available in two formats:

📱 Canva format for students who prefer working digitally

📄 PDF format for students who prefer printing, highlighting, annotating, and organizing materials in a binder

Students may choose to keep all materials digitally or build a physical policy investigation binder throughout the semester. This collection becomes a valuable reference as learners compare how different societies address complex challenges around the world.

No textbook is required.