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What is Political Sociology
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Introduction to Political Sociology. We stress governance, or the partnership b/t government and civil society. |
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2. |
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Paul Tough, “A Teachable Moment,” NY Times
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Key example of governance is in the field of education, where any group of parents and teachers can form a school, as they as they follow government guidelines. |
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Chapter 1: Catalytic Government: Steering Rather Than Rowing.(1)
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We start Osborne and Gaebler, Reinventing Government. Government can steer, or set poilcy guidelines and monitor results; and let other organizations row, or provide actual services. |
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3. |
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Chapter 1: Catalytic Government: Steering Rather Than Rowing.(2)
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We discuss steering and rowing, or lack of it, in Korea. A centralized monopoly in public education in Korea; government is hostile to private alternatives, such as hagwon. |
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Community websites (e.g., Ilbe)
“Swamp Nurse,” New Yorker
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In Louisiana, government-funded Nurse visitors program help poor people to make better parents. |
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“What It Takes to Make a Student,”NY Times
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Intense academic and character education is more effective for teaching inner city kids than progressive, self-esteem method popular in public schools. |
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5. |
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Chapter 3: Competitive Government
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Competition is the most important element for improving the quality and cost-effectiveness of government services. It does not necessarily mean that a service will be turned over to the private sector; it means that no one organization has monopoly in providing service. In a monopoly, an entrenched bureaucracy and the politically powerful resist innovation. |
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“Big Study Links Good Teachers to Lasting Gain,” NY Times
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Elementary- and middle-school teachers who help raise their students’ standardized-test scores seem to have a wide-ranging, lasting positive effect on those students’ lives beyond academics, including lower teenage-pregnancy rates and greater college matriculation and adult earnings, according to a new study that tracked 2.5 million students over 20 years. |
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Current Events / Multiculturalism
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Many Korean-Chinese (Joseonjok) migrants in Korea face prejudice and discrimination. |
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7. |
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Multicultural Korea
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In Korean online discourse, netizens vigorously debate foreigners and multicultural policies. |
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LGBT Korea (guest speaker)
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Pastor Daniel Payne discusses experiences of LGBT (gays) in Korea |
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8. |
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Fukuyama & Putnam, Social Capital
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“Social capital” refers to features of social organization, such as networks, norms, and trust, that facilitate coordination and cooperation for mutual benefit. Social capital enhances the benefits of investment in physical and human capital. |
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Korea, Japan, China
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Korea-Japan relations; social crises in China |
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9. |
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Hallyu & Korean Studies: Promoting Korean culture
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Professors from various countries discussion Korean studies and Hallyu. |
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Korea-Japan
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Sarah Soh's Comfort Women presents clear history and exposes many myths |
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10. |
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Student Presentations
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Korean culture is becoming less popular in Japan; growing number of foreigners in Korea. |
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