Unit 1 Introduction. Methodology. Definitions. Comparative Political Analysis. Issues in Comparative Politics.
(Sep. 3, 5) (assigned readings)
Unit 2 Constitutions and Ideologies. The Separation of Powers. Political Ideologies. Classification of Regimes.
(Sep. 10, 12) (Mahler, p. 1 - 48; Powell, p. 1 - 37; assigned readings)
Unit 3 Legislative Institutions. Legislative Structures and Parties. Legislative Functions. The Legislative Process.
(Sep. 17, 19) (Mahler, p. 49 - 76; Powell, p. 38 - 45; assigned readings)
Unit 4 Executive Institutions. The Executive Roles. Public Administration and the Bureaucracy. Political Culture.
(Sep. 24, 26) (Mahler, p. 77 - 107; Powell, p. 46 - 56; assigned readings)
Unit 5 Judicial Institutions. Legal Cultures. Judicial Functions. Judiciaries in the Political Arena.
(Oct. 1, 3) (Mahler, p. 108 - 126; Powell, p. 57 - 68; assigned readings)
Unit 6 Political Behavior and the Political Environment. The Political System. The Role of the Political Elite.
(Oct. 8, 10) (Mahler, p. 127 - 153; Powell, p. 69 - 80; assigned readings)
Unit 7 Case Study: A Political System Compared and Contrasted. The European Union. Class Discussion.
(Oct. 15, 17*) (Powell, p. 81 - 94; assigned readings)
* MIDTERM EXAM
Unit 8 Pluralism. Political Parties. Interest Groups. Social Movements. The Notion of Civic Society.
(Oct. 22, 24) (Mahler, p. 154 - 175; Powell, p. 95 - 105; assigned readings)
Unit 9 Public Policy. The Policy-Making Process. Domestic Policy. International and Foreign Policy.
(Oct. 29, 31) (Mahler, p. 176 - 193; Powell, p. 106 - 122; assigned readings)
Unit 10 The British Political System. The British Constitutional System. Executive and Legislative Structures.
(Nov. 5*, 7) (Mahler, p. 194 - 228; Powell, p. 123 - 132; assigned readings)
* PROJECT PROPOSAL
Unit 11 The French Political System. Unitary Government. Political Parties and Elections. The Constitutional Council.
(Nov. 12, 14) (Mahler, p. 229 - 261; Powell, p. 133 - 145; assigned readings)
Unit 12 The German Political System. Federalism. Executive and Legislative Structures. Policymaking.
(Nov. 19, 21) (Mahler, p. 262 - 291; Powell, p. 146 - 166; assigned readings)
Unit 13 The Russian Political System. Ideology. The Political Heritage. Federalism. Political Succession.
(Nov. 26, 28) (Mahler, p. 323 - 353; Powell, p. 167 - 181; assigned readings)
Unit 14 The Chinese Political System. Class Discussion: Globalization. Integration and Interdependence.
(Dec. 3, 5*) (Mahler, p. 354 - 387; Powell, p. 182 - 200; assigned readings)
* FINAL RESEARCH PROJECT * PORTFOLIO
(Dec. 10 - 14, tba*)
* FINAL EXAM
Films/Audiovisual Materials Sessions:
(1. (date t.b.s.) at 19:30) “on power”
(2. (date t.b.s.) at 19:30) “on diversity”
(3. (date t.b.s.) at 19:30) “on ideology”
NOTE:
The syllabus schedule may undergo reasonable changes in relation to guest speakers, field trips, make-ups, discussions, events, and other contingencies.