Unit 1 Introduction. Methodology. Definitions. Comparative Political Analysis. Issues in Comparative Politics.
(Sep. 1, 3) (Mahler, p. 1 - 26; Almond, p. 1 - 21; assigned readings)
Unit 2 Constitutions and Ideologies. The Separation of Powers. Political Ideologies. Classification of Regimes.
(Sep. 8, 10) (Mahler, p. 27 - 48; Almond, p. 21 - 38; assigned readings)
Unit 3 Legislative Institutions. Legislative Structures and Parties. Legislative Functions. The Legislative Process.
(Sep. 15, 17) (Mahler, p. 49 - 76; Almond, p. 39 - 46; assigned readings)
Unit 4 Executive Institutions. The Executive Roles. Public Administration and the Bureaucracy. Political Culture.
(Sep. 22, 24) (Mahler, p. 77 - 107; Almond, p. 46 - 55; assigned readings)
Unit 5 Judicial Institutions. Legal Cultures. Judicial Functions. Judiciaries in the Political Arena.
(Sep. 29, Oct. 1) (Mahler, p. 108 - 126; Almond, p. 56 - 66; assigned readings)
Unit 6 Political Behavior and the Political Environment. The Political System. The Role of the Political Elite.
(Oct. 6, 8) (Mahler, p. 127 - 153; Almond, p. 66 - 77; assigned readings)
Unit 7 Class Discussion: Case Study: A Political System Compared and Contrasted.
(Oct. 13, 15*) (Almond, p. 78 - 90; assigned readings)
* MIDTERM EXAM
Unit 8 Pluralism. Political Parties. Interest Groups. Social Movements. The Notion of Civic Society.
(Oct. 20, 22) (Mahler, p. 154 - 175; Almond, p. 90 - 101; assigned readings)
Unit 9 Public Policy. The Policy-Making Process. Domestic Policy. International and Foreign Policy.
(Oct. 27, 29*) (Mahler, p. 176 - 193; Almond, p. 102 - 115; assigned readings)
* PROJECT PROPOSAL
Unit 10 The British Political System. The British Constitutional System. Executive and Legislative Structures.
(Nov. 3, 5 ) (Mahler, p. 194 - 228; Almond, p. 115 - 126; assigned readings)
Unit 11 The French Political System. Unitary Government. Political Parties and Elections. The Constitutional Council.
(Nov. 10, 12) (Mahler, p. 229 - 261; Almond, p. 127 - 141; assigned readings)
Unit 12 The German Political System. Federalism. Executive and Legislative Structures. Policymaking.
(Nov. 17, 19) (Mahler, p. 262 - 291; Almond, p. 186 - 198; assigned readings)
Unit 13 The Russian Political System. Ideology. The Political Heritage. Federalism. Political Succession.
(Nov. 24, 26) (Mahler, p. 323 – 353, Almond, p. 141 - 163; assigned readings)
Unit 14 The Chinese Political System. Class Discussion: Globalization. Integration and Interdependence.
(Dec. 1, 3*) (Mahler, p. 354 – 387, Almond, p. 164 - 186; assigned readings)
* FINAL RESEARCH PROJECT * PORTFOLIO
(Dec. 6 – Dec. 12, tba*)
* FINAL EXAM