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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "PL 223-2"
COURSE NAME: "Comparative Politics"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Fall Semester 2012
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Testoni Michele
EMAIL: [email protected]
 HOURS: MW 16:30-17:45
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES:
OFFICE HOURS: MW 14:00-15:00 and by appointment
COURSE DESCRIPTION:

The aim of the course is to introduce students to the basic notions and methods of comparative politics, in particular to way in which the performance of contemporary democracies can be studied and evaluated. The course is divided in three main sections. Part One will introduce the main concepts and issue areas of comparative politics, such as democratic and non-democratic regimes, political participation, parties and party systems, elections, and forms of government. Part Two aims to put the initial learning into practice by analyzing the evolution, key features, and actual performance of ten relevant political regimes: two Parliamentary democracies (UK and Germany), two Presidential democracies (US and Mexico), two Semi-Presidential democracies (France and Russia), and two authoritarian regimes (China and Iran), and two former military regimes (Brazil and Nigeria).

The concluding section will focus on a set of new directions characterizing today’s politics and, accordingly, the study of politics: the phenomena of the presidentialization of politics and the rise of populism as well as the application of the veto players theory as a means to evaluate democratic performance.

A GOOD KNOWLEDGE OF 20TH CENTURY HISTORY IS FUNDAMENTAL.
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:

1. Basics of comparative politics: concepts and methods; defining democracy; processes of democratization; political participation; interest groups; electoral systems; parties and party systems; forms of government; non-democratic regimes; international sources of domestic politics.

2. Case studies: Britain and Germany; Mexico and US; France and Russia; China and Iran; Brazil and Nigeria.

3. New trends and developments: presidentialization of politics; populism; veto players theory.

Students are strongly encouraged to be informed about facts concerning ongoing political issues by daily reading relevant newspapers and journals, such as (for instance) “The New York Times”, “The Economist”, or “BBC News”.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

1. Awareness of the key concepts, definitions, and methods of comparative politics.

2. Understanding of the notion of “political system” as dynamic and evolutionary process.

3. Familiarity with the key political regimes, and their institutional transformations, in the 20th and 21st century.

4. Capability to illustrate and evaluate differences and similarities as well as the haves and the have-nots of different democratic regimes.
TEXTBOOK:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberCommentsFormatLocal BookstoreOnline Purchase
Comparative Politics Today – A World View (10th edition)Powell, Dalton, and StromPearson Longman978-0-205-09751-7     
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberComments
Comparative Constitutional Engineering (1997 edition)SartoriPalgrave Macmillan9780333675090  
Totalitarian and Authoritarian RegimesLinzLynne Rienner Publishers1555878660  

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
Class participationThe grade will reflect how regularly and well-prepared students come to class as well as their overall participation in class discussion, knowledge of concepts, and ability to analyze facts in a constructive way. Students must do the readings before class: all readings are mandatory assignments. Scarce preparedness, late arrivals and poor contribution in class discussion will negatively affect the grade.15%
Mid-term examsThe exam will be in-class and closed-book. It is scheduled for October 16 (end of week 7). The exam serves to evaluate students’ knowledge of theories and facts covered in the first part of the course as well as their ability in independent critical thinking.20%
Group projectStudents will divide into five groups, each of which will give a collective oral presentation on a topic previously assigned. Each group will be required to provide a brief handout of its presentations in order to introduce, stimulate, and conduct subsequent class discussion. Presentations will be assessed by evaluating the amount of research, organization, clarity, and originality of the exposition and handout.15%
Final examThe exam will be in-class and closed-book. It will cover all course’s topics and serve to test students’ overall knowledge of the course as well as their ability in independent critical thinking. The exam will be graded on the basis of: ü  knowledge of main theories and facts; ü  accuracy, style, and overall clarity in writing; ü  capability to combine readings with lectures, class discussion, and other instructional items provided (e.g. tables, graphs, guest lectures); ü  individual critical analysis.   The three in-class exams’ days can not be changed, for any reason. So, please, organize your personal schedule accordingly.30%
In-class testThe assignment will be in-class and closed-book. It is scheduled for November 6 (end of week 10). It will have a quiz format. The aim is to assess students’ understanding of the main characters, evolution, and institutions of the first five case studies to be covered.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 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:

1. Regular attendance is required. Late arrivals and unexcused absences affect the grade.

2. Active participation in class is fundamental. Students must do the readings in advance. Scarce preparedness and consequent poor contribution in class discussion will negatively affect the grade.

3. The class format is a combination of structured lectures and group discussions based on the assigned readings. Lectures do not simply explain the readings, but complement them: readings and lectures are equally important.

4. Make-up classes are always mandatory.

5. ALL MOBILE PHONES AND LAPTOPS MUST BE SWITCHED OFF DURING CLASSES AND EXAMS.

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

PART ONE: BASICS OF COMPARATIVE POLITICS

WEEK 1

September 3                Course Introduction: Concepts and Methods         
          Readings: Powell § 1 and 2

September 5                Defining Democracy
          Readings: Powell 6

         

WEEK 2

September 10               Processes of Democratization
          Readings: TBA

September 12               Political Participation
          Readings: Powell 3

 

WEEK 3

September 17                Interest Groups
          Readings: Powell 4

September 19                Electoral Systems
          Readings: Sartori 1, 3, and 4



WEEK 4

September 24                Political Parties
          Readings: Powell 5

September 26                Competitive Party Systems
          Readings: Powell 5

        

WEEK 5

October 1                      Parliamentarism
          Readings: Sartori 6 and 12

October 3                      Presidentialism and Semi-Presidentialism
          Readings: Sartori 5, 7, and 11

 

WEEK 6

October 8                      Non-Democratic Regimes
          Readings: Linz (pp. 1-48)

October 10                    International Sources of Domestic Politics
          Readings: TBA

 

WEEK 7

October 15                    Review session
          Readings: all the above

October 17                    First mid-term exam

 


                                                                 PART TWO: CASE STUDIES

 

WEEK 8

October 22                     Parliamentarism: Britain 
          Readings: Powell 8

October 24                     Presidentialism: USA
          Readings: Powell 19



WEEK 9

October 29                     Semi-Presidentialism: France
          Readings: Powell 9

October 31                     Non-Democratic Regime: China
          Readings: Powell 13

 

WEEK 10

November 5                    Special topic 1: French Presidential Elections 2012
          Readings: TBA

November 7                    Special topic 2: US Presidential Elections 2012 
          Readings: TBA

 

WEEK 11

November 12                   Review session
          Readings: all the above

November 14                   Second mid-term exam

  

WEEK 12

November 19                   Group project 1: Germany’s Parliamentarism
          Readings: Powell 10

November 21                   Group project 2: Mexico’s Presidentialism
          Readings: Powell 14



WEEK 13   

November 26                   Group project 3: Russia’s Semi-Presidentialism
          Readings: Powell 12

November 28                   Group project 4: Iran’s Non-Democratic Regime
          Readings: Powell 16

 

WEEK 14

December 3                    Evaluating Democratic Performance: Veto Players Theory
          Readings: TBA

December 5                    Final Review
          Readings: all the above

 

Final Exam (December 9 – 14, TBA)