This Political Science Xseries program uses critical approaches and analytical methods that can be applied to any complex organisation or problem to offer learners a solid understanding of the structure and function of national governments and international political Institutions, and the challenges of contemporary democracy. Benefiting from leading academics associated with the International Political Science Association, the XSeries program covers, at the introductory level, areas in the study of political science, ranging from research design and methods and critical theory to comparative analysis of different political concepts and systems, world politics and theories of democracy and autocracy. This series of courses are meant to appeal to three types of audience: For students considering or starting a degree in Political Science or for those requiring a basic grounding in Political Science before embarking on post-graduate study in a related field, the XSeries is intended to serve as a useful orientation and preparation tool. For teachers of Political Science at any level who may choose to complement their course material with MOOCs offered by world renowned scholars in an innovative format particularly suitable for the digital generation. They will find that the course acts as a rich and interactive online textbook and a useful reference tool. For anyone else who is interested in a better understanding of the challenges facing contemporary democracies in the contemporary world.
An excellent online course offered by edX: how it works
edX courses consist of weekly learning sequences. Each learning sequence is composed of short videos interspersed with interactive learning exercises, where students can immediately practise the concepts from the videos. The courses often include tutorial videos that are similar to small on-campus discussion groups, an online textbook, and an online discussion forum where students can post and review questions and comments to each other and teaching assistants. Where applicable, online laboratories are incorporated into the course.
edX offers certificates of successful completion and some courses are credit-eligible. Whether or not a college or university offers credit for an online course is within the sole discretion of the school. edX offers a variety of ways to take courses, including verified courses where students have the option to audit the course (no cost) or to work toward an edX Verified Certificate (fees vary by course). edX also offers XSeries Certificates for completion of a bundled set of two to seven verified courses in a single subject (cost varies depending on the courses).
An edX learning programme under Other Experiences