Course Syllabus

JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "PL 223"
COURSE NAME: "Comparative Politics"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Summer Session I 2024

SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Gabriele Simoncini
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS: MTWTH 3:40 PM 5:30 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES:
OFFICE HOURS:

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:

The first part of this course covers the different concepts of comparative political analysis, while the second part compares and contrasts different political systems in a global context. The course analyses political institutions, functions, and entities; discussing reasons, and methods. Political culture, interest articulation, and political socialization are treated. Emphasis will be placed on the issues of policy making, government, elections, and political parties. The course provides a comparative analysis of different states’ political systems, including United Kingdom, France, Germany, Russia, and China. The class format includes lectures, discussion, team work, presentations, and audiovisual materials. The students will be asked to produce a final research project, making extensive personal use of information and communication technology. Guest speakers and field trips are planned.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

Students will learn how to critically analyze processes and concepts related to different political systems. They will be able to relate government, politics, and players within the political arena and society. Students will learn to contextualize and explain the process of government and politics with current international events. Students will be capable of critical analysis applied to the changing realities of different political systems in a global context. Students will develop an ability to conduct basic research, and organize and present their findings in a logical and independent way.

TEXTBOOK:

Book Title	Author	Publisher	ISBN number	Library Call Number	Comments	Format	Local Bookstore	Online Purchase
Principles of Comparative Politics	Mahler G. S.,	Pearson, 2013	9780205852529
Comparative Politics. A Theoretical Framework	Powell G. B. et al.	Longman, 2012	9780205082865

REQUIRED RESERVED READING:

NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:

NONE

GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:

Assignment	Guidelines	Weight
Class Participaton	Class Attendance and Participation: Regular attendance and active participation in class is required. Attendance requirements: A maximum of four absences are allowed throughout the semester. Any additional absence will result in a penalization of one grade level (e.g.: from B+ to B for five absences, B+ to B- for six absences, B+ to C+ for seven absences, etc.). Two latenesses count for one absence. Attendance will be taken at the beginning of each class by calling students’ names. Students not answering will be marked absent. Students arrived late will ask the instructor to be marked late at the end of the class, after which attendance records will not be modified. Use of Computers in class: The use of personal computers and technological devices in class is not permitted except for taking notes, or contributing to class activity during designated times. Students not respecting the rule will be penalized by getting no points in the Class Participation requirement (worth 10% of the final grade). Recording and filming in class is not allowed.	10%
Midterm Exam	Midterm and final exam have the same format. The exams consist of two parts of equal value. The first part is an essay, the student will choose from one of three proposed themes, and will write a well-organized essay. The second part of the exam consists of ten terms to be concisely defined.	20%
Final Exam	Midterm and final exam have the same format. The exams consist of two parts of equal value. The first part is an essay, the student will choose from one of three proposed themes, and will write a well-organized essay. The second part of the exam consists of ten terms to be concisely defined.	25%
Final Research Project	Final Project: The final paper (2.500 words) will be on any topic of the student’s choice related to the class program. The topic should be precisely defined and worthy of investigation. The instructor must approve a final paper project. To produce the final paper, students will receive written instructions in class and on Moodle. During the semester, students will show the instructor their work in progress. The production of the final paper is a work in progress during the semester. The deadline for the final paper submission on Moodle is the last class. Files sent by email are not accepted. No materials will be accepted past the deadline.	30%
Presentation	In-class Presentation: Students are required to give a short individual or team presentation on a specific topic of their choice, approved by the instructor and related to the class program. The presentation will be well-organized, and concise, and include audiovisual and electronic materials. A draft presentation must be submitted to the instructor before presenting in class. An electronic version of the presentation must be uploaded on Moodle within the established deadline. Files sent by email are not accepted. No materials will be accepted past the deadline.	15%

-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 cour
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:
A maximum of four absences are allowed throughout the semester. Any additional absence will result in a penalization of one grade level (e.g.: from B+ to B for five absences, B+ to B- for six absences, B+ to C+ for seven absences, etc.). Two latenesses count for one absence. Attendance will be taken at the beginning of each class by calling students’ names. Students not answering will be marked absent. Students arrived late will ask the instructor to be market late at the end of the class, after which attendance records will not be modified.

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

Program:

Week 1

(May 20, 21, 22, 23)

- Introduction to the Course. Methodology. Terminology.

(assigned readings on Moodle)

- Conceptual definition. States. Nations. Language. Religion. National Minorities.

(assigned readings on Moodle)

- Comparative Political Analysis. The Political System. Political Culture.

(Mahler, p. 1-26; assigned readings on Moodle)

- Constitutions and Ideologies. Constitutions in a Comparative Perspective. Classification of Regimes.

(Mahler, p. 27-48; assigned readings on Moodle)

Week 2

(May 27, 28, 29,30)

- Legislative Institutions. Legislative Functions. The Legislative Process.

(Mahler, p. 49-76; assigned readings on Moodle)

- Executive Institutions. Presidential and Parliamentary Executives. Coalition Governments.

(Mahler, p. 77-107; Powell, p. 1-14; assigned readings on Moodle)

- Judicial Institutions. The Idea of Law. Legal Culture. Sources of Law.

(Mahler, p. 108-126; Powell, p. 15-24; assigned readings on Moodle)

- Political Behavior. Political Environment. The Political Elite. Political Participation and Violence.

(Mahler, p. 127-153; Powell, p. 25-37; assigned readings on Moodle)

Week 3

(June 3 ,4, 5*, 6)

- Pluralism. Parties. Pluralism and Corporatism. The Notion of Civic Society.

(Mahler, p. 154-160; Powell, p. 38-45; assigned readings on Moodle)

- Interest Groups. Political Parties. Social Movements. Pluralism.

(Mahler, p. 161-175; Powell, p. 45-56; assigned readings on Moodle)

- The British Political System. The British Constitutional System. Executive and Legislative Structures.

(Mahler, p. 194-228; Powell, p. 57-68; assigned readings on Moodle)

- The German Political System. Federalism. Executive and Legislative Structures.

(Mahler, p. 262-291; Powell, p. 69-80; assigned readings on Moodle)

* MIDTERM EXAM

Week 4

(June 10, 11, 12, 13*)

- The Italian Political System. State Institutions. Political Culture. Political Parties.

(Powell, p. 81-94; assigned readings on Moodle)

- States and Nations. National Minorities. Migrations. Organized Crime.

(Powell, p. 95-105; assigned readings on Moodle)

- The European Union. The Commission. The Parliament. The Union Council.

(Powell, p. 106-119; assigned readings on Moodle)

- Public Policy. Stages in Policy-Making Process. International and Foreign Policy.

(Mahler, p. 176-193; Powell, p. 120-132; assigned readings)

* FINAL RESEARCH PROJECT

Week 5

(June 17, 18, 19, 20, 21*)

- The Russian Political System. Ideology. The Political Heritage. Federalism. Political Succession.

(Mahler, p. 323-353; Powell, p. 133-150; assigned readings)

- The Chinese Political System. Political Culture and Participation. Reforms and Liberalization.

(Mahler, p. 354-387; Powell, p. 150-166; assigned readings)

- Democracy. Realities and Evolution. Democracies Compared.

(Powell, p. 167-182; assigned readings on Moodle)

- Globalization. Integration and Interdependence. From Local to Global. Cosmopolitanism.

(Powell, p. 182-200; assigned readings on Moodle)

* FINAL EXAM

Films/Audiovisual Materials Sessions:

(1. (date t.b.s.) “on power”

(2. (date t.b.s.) “on diversity”

(3. (date t.b.s) “on ideology”

NOTE:

The syllabus schedule may undergo reasonable changes in relation to guest speakers, field trips, make-ups, discussions, events, and other contingencies.