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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "PL 223-2"
COURSE NAME: "Comparative Politics"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Spring 2017
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Bridget Welsh
EMAIL: [email protected]
 HOURS: MW 11:30AM 12:45PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES:
OFFICE HOURS: Mondays 2-5pm or by appointment
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
As both a subject and a method of study, comparative politics examines the nature, development, structure and functioning of the political systems of a selection of countries with very different cultures, social and economic profiles, political histories and geographic characteristics. Through case studies, students will learn to use the comparativist’s methods to collect and organize the information and develop general explanations.
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:

This course is designed to introduce students to the subfield of comparative politics. This course will introduce the student to a basic set of concepts and ideas which comparative political scientists employ to analyze differences and similitudes in the present and future political life of any given country. From the onset students will learn how power is studied and practiced and learn the tools to better understand the challenges in the modern globalized world. The course will include the basic concepts and theoretical approaches in comparative politics as well as discuss case studies where the issues and theories are relevant. Among the many important questions the survey course will examine are the nature of political regimes, debates about political culture, political identity and ideologies, public policy, political participation, the political economy and globalization. Students will enrich their knowledge and skills that will help them in any career and in becoming more empowered and informed citizens.  
LEARNING OUTCOMES:

After this course, students should expect to begin thinking, reading, writing and acting as a specialist on comparative politics!  

Specific Learning Objectives 

By the end of this course, students will be able to:

·         Understand a Range of Concepts, Theories and Approaches in Comparative Politics

·          Appreciate the Diversity of Political Perspectives and Outlooks

·         Frame Problems from Multiple Perspectives

·         Construct and Present their Own Interpretations of Political Events  

·         Recognize the Range and Variation in Forms of Political Power

·         Evaluate Government Approaches to Key Issues of Welfare and Inequality

·         Formulate their Own Opinions on Political Issues

·         Research Contemporary Political Issues
TEXTBOOK:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberCommentsFormatLocal BookstoreOnline Purchase
Essentials of Comparative Politics. 5th Edition.Patrick H. O’Neill.New York: W.P. Norton Company, 2015978-0393938975     
. The Sympathizer: A Novel. Viet Than Nguyen(New York: Grove Press, 2016) 978-0802124944     
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
Class ParticipationStudents are expected to read all the required reading before class to participate in discussion. Please note that more than TWO absences of any class session will significantly lower a student’s final participation grade. Regular patterns of tardiness will also negatively affect a student’s performance. Class participation will be assessed based on the quality of participation in the class, with higher marks given to students who relate inputs to the course readings and express individual ideas articulately and succinctly. Students are not evaluated on the volume that they say, but the degree to which their participation adds value to the discussion. Students are asked to turn their smart phones and other devices on silent mode and not use them during class time. Laptops are to be used for note-taking, not chatting and emailing during class time. Student distractions that take away from the overall class learning environment are strongly discouraged and will be assessed in class participation performance. As part of the learning process, students will be asked to participate in a series of in-class simulations and problem-solving tasks. These assignments will also comprise your course participation grade. 15%
Book AssessmentStudents are asked to read the assigned for the course in 1-2 double-spaced pages (800-1000 words). These book assessments must address the political issues in the text and connect these issues to the course material. The review must develop an argument and reflect your own personal engagement with the material. Assessments will be evaluated based on their individuality, clarity, presentation, argument and knowledge of the issues in the book. This assignment must be delivered through the protocol outlined below by 5pm on Tuesday, February 14th. Protocol for Handing in Written Assignments: Students must turn in all written assignments three ways. This assignment must be 1) emailed to the professor, 2) with a hard copy delivered to her mailbox in the Guarini Building by 5pm on the due date and 3) an electronic copy delivered on through MOODLE to TURNITIN. This will require that you set up your own MOODLE account. 10%
Reading Reflection PiecesThese TWO reviews of 1000 words each will draw on the assigned course reading and class lecture. For each review, students are asked to prepare an analytical commentary on the issues raised in the reading and class discussion. Students should refer to at least one recommended reading and develop an argument. The reflection pieces must be turned in within two days of the class session by 5pm through the assignment protocol. are responsible for finishing these assignments before the 12th week of the course, before April 1st. 15%
Reading Oral Presentation Students are asked to present one course reading before Week 12 of the semester, April 1st. Students will sign up in the second week of the course and readings will be on a first-signed up basis on the CHOICE program in MOODLE. All of the presentations should be no more than 5 minutes (with five minutes for potential questions), include a one-page written synopsis of the main questions and findings of the reading as well as the student’s own commentary. The written synopsis is due by 5pm of the class session day through the assignment protocol. Any power point presentation should be forwarded the midnight before. Strict time limits will be imposed. Students will be assessed on their ability to present material clearly and succinctly, the quality of their synopsis as well as their understanding of the reading and comparative case study selected. The chosen reading cannot coincide with the same session of a reflection assignment. 10%
Short Analytical Paper Students are asked to submit an original paper of 2000-2500 words concisely examining one of the issues developed in the course. The paper must apply a clear theoretical question to a case study. It must develop an argument and use concrete evidence. Further guidelines on this paper will be provided. This assignment must be turned in through the assignment protocol noted above by 5pm on the due date. Thursday, April 20th. No late papers will be accepted. 20%
   
Final ExaminationStudents will be required to sit for a final examination at the end of term. This examination will include identifications, multiple choice questions and short answer questions that assess the comprehension of the course reading and class discussions. The test will include both objective and subjective questions that test knowledge and the ability to formulate analytical responses.30%

-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
AWork of this quality directly addresses the question or problem raised and provides a coherent argument displaying an extensive knowledge of relevant information or content. This type of work demonstrates the ability to critically evaluate concepts and theory and has an element of novelty and originality. There is clear evidence of a significant amount of reading beyond that required for the course.
BThis is highly competent level of performance and directly addresses the question or problem raised.There is a demonstration of some ability to critically evaluatetheory and concepts and relate them to practice. Discussions reflect the student’s own arguments and are not simply a repetition of standard lecture andreference material. The work does not suffer from any major errors or omissions and provides evidence of reading beyond the required assignments.
CThis is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings.
DThis level of performances demonstrates that the student lacks a coherent grasp of the material.Important information is omitted and irrelevant points included.In effect, the student has barely done enough to persuade the instructor that s/he should not fail.
FThis work fails to show any knowledge or understanding of the issues raised in the question. Most of the material in the answer is irrelevant.
-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:
ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS AND EXAMINATION POLICY
You cannot make-up a major exam (midterm or final) without the permission of the Dean’s Office. The Dean’s Office will grant such permission only when the absence was caused by a serious impediment, such as a documented illness, hospitalization or death in the immediate family (in which you must attend the funeral) or other situations of similar gravity. Absences due to other meaningful conflicts, such as job interviews, family celebrations, travel difficulties, student misunderstandings or personal convenience, will not be excused. Students who will be absent from a major exam must notify the Dean’s Office prior to that exam. Absences from class due to the observance of a religious holiday will normally be excused. Individual students who will have to miss class to observe a religious holiday should notify the instructor by the end of the Add/Drop period to make prior arrangements for making up any work that will be missed. The final exam period runs until early May.

Please note that more than TWO absences of any class session will significantly lower a student’s final participation grade. Regular patterns of tardiness will also negatively affect a student’s performance
ACADEMIC HONESTY
As stated in the university catalog, any student who commits an act of academic dishonesty will receive a failing grade on the work in which the dishonesty occurred. In addition, acts of academic dishonesty, irrespective of the weight of the assignment, may result in the student receiving a failing grade in the course. Instances of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Academic Affairs. A student who is reported twice for academic dishonesty is subject to summary dismissal from the University. In such a case, the Academic Council will then make a recommendation to the President, who will make the final decision.
STUDENTS WITH LEARNING OR OTHER DISABILITIES
John Cabot University does not discriminate on the basis of disability or handicap. Students with approved accommodations must inform their professors at the beginning of the term. Please see the website for the complete policy.
SCHEDULE

INSTRUCTIONAL METHODS AND EXPECTATIONS

The assignments in this course develop knowledge and skills, with the aim of making students more confident and better prepared to address real world problems they will face. Simultaneously, they introduce students to contemporary problems in the world and teach core material associated with political science. Texts and course material for this course are purposely selected for accessibility. Teaching materials include novels, the course website, in-class simulations and core disciplinary reading material.  

CONSULTATIONS

Students are encouraged to meet one-on-one with the professor to discuss course material and their assignments. The professor holds regular office hours where students can meet her. Students are also welcome to schedule an appointment, but should provide at least two different alternatives to be accommodated for a meeting outside of office hours. Students are encouraged to book their time early. During term, students should expect a response to their emails within three business days.

CLASS SESSIONS

Class sessions will be held for two and a half hours per week. Each session will combine lectures, discussions, and group activities focused on the assigned topics.   

 

REQUIRED TEXT AND READINGS

Students will be expected to read all the required reading before class. All the required course reading will be available in the Library on reserve or available on MYJCU.

WEEKLY LESSONS AND READINGS

WEEK 1 (January 15-21) Introducing Comparative Politics          

Session 1 (January 16) Course Introduction

Patrick H. O’Neill, Essentials of Comparative Politics, Chapter 1.

Session 2 (January 18) Building Theory: Comparative Method Applied

            Peter Katzenstein, Adam Przeworski, Theda Skocpol, et al. (1995) ‘The Role of Theory in Comparative Politics’ World Politics 48/1:1-25.
Case Study: US 2016 Election
 

WEEK 2 (January 22-28) State Formation and Types States

 

Session 3 (January 23) State Formation Trajectories

Patrick H. O’Neill, Essentials of Comparative Politics, Chapter 2, pp. 30-46

Francis Fukuyama, Political Order and Decay. (New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2015), Chapters 27-28, pp. 399-435

            Case Study: England

Barrington Moore, Social Origins of Dictatorship and Democracy (Boston: Beacon Press, 1993), Chapter 7, pp. 413-32 

 

            Session 4 (January 25) From Predatory to Rentier: Types of States

Patrick H. O’Neill, Essentials of Comparative Politics, Chapter 2, pp. 46-61.

Case Study: Saudi Arabia

Paul Aarts and Carolien Roulants, Saudi Arabia: The Kingdom in Peril, (London: Hurst and Co, 2015) pp. 1-36, 135-141

           

WEEK 3 (January 29-February 4) Political Culture and Religion

 

Session 5 (January 30) ‘Western’ and ‘Asian Values’

Patrick H. O’Neill, Essentials of Comparative Politics, Chapter 3, pp. 91-94.

Amartya Sen, “Democracy as a Universal Value,” Journal of Democracy, 10 (July 1999): 3-17   

            Russell Bova, “Democracy and Liberty: The Cultural Connection,” Journal of Democracy, 8 (January 1997): 112-126

            Mark Thompson, “Whatever Happened to ‘Asian Values’?” Journal of Democracy 12 (October 2001): 154-165

Case Study: Singapore

Bilahari Kausikan, “Governance that Works,” Journal of Democracy, 8 (April 1997): 24-34.

 

Session 6: (February 1) Clash of Civilizations

Patrick H. O’Neill, Essentials of Comparative Politics, Chapter 3, pp. 77-90

Samuel P. Huntington, The Clash of Civilizations and the Remaking of World Order (1996), pp. 192-198.

Patrick H. O’Neill, Essentials of Comparative Politics, Chapter 7

            Case Study: ISIS

            Joby Warrick. Black Flags: The Rise of ISIS. (New York: Anchor, Penguin, 2016), pp. 267-307.

 

*Course Dinner Discussion on The Sympathizer on Friday, February 3rd, 7:30pm*

WEEK 4 (February 5-11) Social Cleavages, Nationalism and Ethnicity

 

            Session 7 (February 6): Nationalism and Nationhood

Patrick H. O’Neill, Essentials of Comparative Politics, Chapter 3, pp. 62-76.

Sara Rich Dorman. “The Varieties of Nationalism in Africa,” Current History, (May 2015), pp. 189-193.

            Case Study: Nigeria

Brandon Kendhammer. “Nigeria’s New Democratic Dawn,” Current History, (May 2015), 170-176.

 

Session 8 (February 8): Left and Right Politics

Brendan O’Leary. “Europe’s Embers of Nationalism,” Current History, (March 2015)

Case Study: Italy and United Kingdom

David Art. “Why 2013 is not 1933: The Radical Right in Europe,” Current History (March 2013)

 

            Session 9 (February 10): Make up day for April 17. Conducting Research in Political Science- Understanding Ideology Session with Library Staff

 

WEEK 5 (February 12-18) Political Parties, Elections and Voting Behavior

 

Session 10 (February 13) Political Parties and Voting Behavior

Patrick H. O’Neill, Essentials of Comparative Politics, Chapter 5, pp. 158-68.

            Pippa Norris (eds.) Comparing Democracies 2: New Challenges in the Study of Elections and Voting, (New York: Sage Publications, 2002), Chapter 7

David M. Farrell, “Campaign Strategies and Tactics,” in Lawrence Le Du et. Al. Comparing Democracies: Elections and Voting in Comparative Perspective, (New York: Sage Publications, 2002), Chapter 6

Case Studies: United States and Italy

           

Session 11 (February 15)

No class. Research on elections and electoral systems in Italy  

 

***Book Assessment Due, Tuesday, February 14th by 5pm***

 

 

 

WEEK 6 (February 19-25) Political Participation and Representation


Session 12 (February 20): Elections and Representation

            Jan Teorell, Marino Torcal and Jose Ramon Montero. “Political Participation: Mapping the Terrain,” In Jan van Deth, Jose Ramon Montero and Anders Westholm (eds.) Citizenship and Involvement in European Democracies, (London: Routledge, 2007), Ch. 13, pp. 334-357

Case Study: Italy case reports.

 

Session 13 (February 22): Movements, Protest and Disengagement

            Charles Tilly and Leslie Wood. Social Movements, 1768-2008. (New York: Paradigm Publishers, 2009), pp. 1-37

Case Study: Occupy Movements

Gamson, William A., and Micah L. Sifry. "The# Occupy movement: an introduction." The Sociological Quarterly 54, no. 2 (2013): 159-163

 

WEEK 7 (February 26-March 4) Political Leadership

 

Session 14 (February 27) Ideas and Charisma

Mussolini, “The Doctrine of Fascism,” http://www.worldfuturefund.org/wffmaster/reading/germany/mussolini.htm

The Futurist Manifesto, http://cscs.umich.edu/~crshalizi/T4PM/futurist-manifesto.html and paintings, http://www.cartridgesave.co.uk/news/20-dynamic-paintings-from-the-italian-futurists/

Hitler,“Triumph des Willens”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3C9iUaP51CI&feature=topics

                       

Session 15 (March 1) New Autocrats

            Case Studies: Russia

            Karen Dawisha. Putin’s Kleptocracy: Who Owns Russia? (New York: Simon and Shulster, 2014), pp. 313-50.

            Samuel A. Greene. “The End of Ambiguity in Russia,” Current History (October 2015), pp. 251-258.

 

WEEK 8 (March 5-11) Democracy

 

Session 16 (March 6) Defining and Measuring Democracy

Patrick H. O’Neill, Essentials of Comparative Politics, Chapter 5, pp. 136-142, 168-9.

Philippe Schmitter and Terry Karl, "What Democracy Is...and Is Not," Journal of Democracy 2 (July 1991): 75-88

Larry Diamond, Emily Green and William Gallery “Measuring Democracy,” in Larry Diamond, In Search of Democracy, (London: Routledge, 2016), pp. 46-75.

 

Session 17 (March 8) Political Institutions and Democratic Governance

Patrick H. O’Neill, Essentials of Comparative Politics, Chapter 5, pp. 148-157.

            Larry Diamond and Leonardo Morlino. “The Quality of Democracy: An Overview.” Journal of Democracy, 15 (October 2004): 20-31.

            Case Study: France

 

 

 

 

WEEK 9 (March 12-18) Regime Change: Democratization and Authoritarian Resilience

Required Reading:

 

Session 18 (March 13) Early Waves of Democratization

Patrick H. O’Neill, Essentials of Comparative Politics, Chapter 5, pp. 143-47.

Larry Diamond, “Democracy’s Third Wave Today,” Current History, November 2011. 110:299-307

Philippe C. Schmitter. “Twenty-Five Years, Fifteen Findings.” Journal of Democracy, 21 (January 2010): 17-28.

Case Study: Brazil

Matthew Taylor. “Brazil in the Crucible of Crisis,” Current History, (February 2016).

 

Session 19 (March 15) Contemporary Democratic Recession

Larry Diamond “Democracy’s Global Recession,” Paper presented at the Asian Barometer Conference, August 2016.

Case Studies: Myanmar

Min Zin, “Burma Votes for Change: The New Configuration of Power,” Journal of Democracy, 27/2, pp. 116-31.

 

WEEK 10 (March 19-25) Authoritarian Regimes and their Resilience

 

Session 20 (March 20) Types of Authoritarian Regimes

Patrick H. O’Neill, Essentials of Comparative Politics, Chapter 6

Ivan Krastev. “Paradoxes of the New Authoritarianism,” Journal of Democracy, 22 (April 2011):5-16

Case Studies: Egypt

Emad El-Din Shahin. “Egypt’s Revolution Turned on its Head,” Current History (December 2015), pp. 343-348

 

Session 21 (March 22) Authoritarian Resilience

Patrick H. O’Neill, Essentials of Comparative Politics, Chapter 9

Alexander Cooley, “Countering Democratic Norms,” Journal of Democracy, 26 (October 2015):49-63.

Case Studies: China

Minxin Pei. “Transition in China? More Likely Than You Think.” Journal of Democracy, 27/4, 2016. pp. 5-20.

 

WEEK 11 (March 26-April 1) Developed Democracies

           

Session 22 (March 27) Democratic Consolidation and Practice

Patrick H. O’Neill, Essentials of Comparative Politics, Chapter 8

 

Session 23 (March 29) Political Polarization and other Challenges

Takis Pappas. “The Specter Haunting Europe: Distinguishing Liberal Democracy’s Challengers,” Journal of Democracy, 27/4, 2016. pp. 22-36.

Case Studies: United States and United Kingdom

 

***Last Week for Reading Reflections and Oral Presentations***

 

WEEK 12 (April 2- 8) SPRING BREAK (No Class)

 

WEEK 13 (April 9-15) Development, Governance, Corruption and the Rule of Law

 

Session 24 (April 10): Development & Good Governance           

Patrick H. O’Neill, Essentials of Comparative Politics, Chapter 10

Jeffery Sachs, “The Development Challenge,” Foreign Affairs, March/April, 2005.

William Easterly, “Was Development Assistance a Mistake?” http://williameasterly.files.wordpress.com/2010/08/50_easterly_wasdevelopmentassistanceamistake_prp.pdf


Session 25 (April 12) Corruption

Susan Rose Ackerman Corruption: A study in political economy. (New York: Academic Press, 2013), pp. 211-233.

“The Wages of Sin” The Economist, January 30th 2016

 

WEEK 14 (April 16-22) Welfare and Social Safety Nets

 

            No class April 17 for Easter.

           

Session 26 (April 19)

Giovanni Carbone. “The Consequences of Democracy.” Journal of Democracy, 20 (April 2009): 123-137.

Guiliano Bonoli. “Europe’s Social Safety Net Under Pressures,” Current History, March 2016.

 

*** Short Analytical Paper Due, Thursday, April 21st by 5pm***

 

WEEK 15 (April 23-29) Inequality and Globalization     

 

Session 27 (April 24) Inequality

Francis Fukuyama. “Dealing with Inequality,” Journal of Democracy, 22 (July 2011), 79-89.

            Larry Bartels, Unequal Democracy: The Political Economy of the New Gilded Age, (Princeton: Princeton University Press, 2013), Introduction, pp. 1-28.               

            Case Study: United States

Alfred Stepan and Juan J. Linz. “Comparative Perspectives on Inequality and the Quality of Democracy in the United States. Perspectives on Politics, 9(4) (2011): 841-856.

 

Session 28 (April 26) Globalization

Patrick H. O’Neill, Essentials of Comparative Politics, Chapter 11

 

WEEK 16 (April 30-May 6) Final Examination