Course Syllabus

JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "PL 223-1"
COURSE NAME: "Comparative Politics"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Fall 2015

SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Andrea Pirro
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS: TTH 4:30 PM 5:45 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 and issues of comparative political analysis. The second part compares and contrasts different political institutions (e.g. parliaments), organisations (e.g. parties), and processes (e.g. elections). The third part moves beyond institutionalised politics and looks at political issues and challenges (e.g. social and political change, immigration and minority issues, protest) in a comparative perspective. The course covers different topics in contemporary politics, critically assessing their causes and mechanisms. Particular emphasis will be placed on governments, political organisations, elections and voters across Europe. The class format includes lectures, discussion, teamwork, student presentations, and audio-visual material.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Upon completion of this course, students should have learned to identify the defining characteristics of the political phenomena of specific countries; identify the dominant trends influencing and shaping the above characteristics, and assess evidence of convergence or divergence between them; develop analytical skills of comparison and contrast. Moreover, students should have developed their ability to gather, organise and deploy evidence from a variety of sources; exercise critical judgment; reflect on their own learning and make use of constructive feedback. Ultimately, students should have developed their ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing; use communication and information technology for the retrieval and presentation of information; work individually, demonstrating initiative, self-organisation and time management; collaborate with others to achieve common goals.

TEXTBOOK:

Book Title	Author	Publisher	ISBN number	Library Call Number	Comments	Format	Local Bookstore	Online Purchase
Comparative Politics (Third Edition)	Caramani, D.	Oxford University Press	978-0-19-966599-0
Representative Government in Modern Europe. Institutions, Parties and Governments (Fifth Edition)	Gallagher, M., Laver, M. and Mair, P.	McGraw-Hill	978-0077129675

REQUIRED RESERVED READING:

Book Title	Author	Publisher	ISBN number	Library Call Number	Comments
European Politics: A Comparative Introduction (Third Edition)	Bale, T.	Palgrave Macmillan	9780230362932

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:

NONE

GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:

Assignment	Guidelines	Weight
Class participation	Regular attendance; preparation and reflection on readings assigned; active, civilised, and well-informed participation in class activities. The use of laptops, tablets and telephones in class is not allowed. Use of electronic devices in class will result in deduction of 10% from your final grade.	10%
Student presentations	Students will give a short individual or team presentation on a specific topic related to the class programme. The presentation should be well organised and researched, concise (max. 15 mins), and include (when opportune) audio-visual or electronic material.	10%
Mid-term exam	Demonstrating knowledge of theories and issues of comparative politics.	30%
Final exam	Demonstrating knowledge of theories and issues of comparative politics.	30%
Reading reflections	The student will be asked to demonstrate critical reading of academic course material.	20%

-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 evaluate theory and concepts and relate them to practice. Discussions reflect the student’s own arguments and are not simply a repetition of standard lecture and reference 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:
The class meets twice a week and attendance is mandatory. You can miss a maximum of five classes throughout the semester. If you miss more than five classes, you will fail the course! Showing up late two times will count as one absence. Attendance will be recorded at the beginning of each class.

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

Introduction to Comparative Politics

(1 September)

No readings assigned.

(3 September)

Caramani, D. (2014) ‘Introduction to Comparative Politics’, in D. Caramani (ed.) Comparative Politics (Third Edition). Oxford: Oxford University Press, pp. 1-17. [CCP, Introduction]

Theories and Methods in Comparative Politics

(10 September)

Guy Peters, G. (2014) ‘Approaches in Comparative Politics’, in D. Caramani (ed.) Comparative Politics (Third Edition). Oxford: Oxford University Press, pp. 34-46. [CCP, Chapter 2]

(11 September – 8 September make-up class)

Keman, H. (2014) ‘Comparative Research Methods’, in D. Caramani (ed.) Comparative Politics (Third Edition). Oxford: Oxford University Press, pp. 47-59. [CCP, Chapter 3]

Regimes

(15 September)

Mair, P. (2014) ‘Democracies’, in D. Caramani (ed.) Comparative Politics. Oxford: Oxford University Press, pp. 79-95. [CCP, Chapter 5]

(17 September)

Brooker, P. (2014) ‘Authoritarian Regimes’, in D. Caramani (ed.) Comparative Politics (Third Edition). Oxford: Oxford University Press, pp. 96-109. [CCP, Chapter 6] (Group presentation)

Institutions

(22 September)

Gallagher, M., M. Laver, and P. Mair (2011) Representative Government in Modern Europe (Fifth Edition). London: McGraw-Hill, pp. 23-46. [GLM, Chapter 2]

(24 September)

Gallagher, M., M. Laver, and P. Mair (2011) Representative Government in Modern Europe (Fifth Edition). London: McGraw-Hill, pp. 47-83. [GLM, Chapter 3]

Elections and Referendums

(25 September)

Gallagher, M., M. Laver, and P. Mair (2011) Representative Government in Modern Europe (Fifth Edition). London: McGraw-Hill, pp. 366-411. [GLM, Chapter 11]

(29 September)

Reif, K., and H. Schmitt (1980) ‘Nine Second-Order National Elections: A Conceptual Framework for the Analysis of European Election Results’. European Journal of Political Research, 8 (1): 3-44. (Written reading reflection)

Cleavage Structures and Change

(1 October)

Gallagher, M., M. Laver, and P. Mair (2011) Representative Government in Modern Europe (Fifth Edition). London: McGraw-Hill, pp. 278-298. [GLM, Chapter 9]

(6 October)

Gallagher, M., M. Laver, and P. Mair (2011) Representative Government in Modern Europe (Fifth Edition). London: McGraw-Hill, pp. 298-325. [GLM, Chapter 9]

Review and Examination

(8 October)

Mid-Term Review

(13 October)

In-Class Examination

Parties, Movements, and the Media

(15 October)

Gallagher, M., M. Laver, and P. Mair (2011) Representative Government in Modern Europe (Fifth Edition). London: McGraw-Hill, pp. 238-277. [GLM, Chapter 8]

(20 October)

Kriesi, H. (2014) ‘Social Movements’, in D. Caramani (ed.) Comparative Politics (Third Edition). Oxford: Oxford University Press, pp. 267-283. [CCP, Chapter 16]

(22 October – Class will be held in GKG1)

Bale, T. (2008) European Politics. A Comparative Introduction. London: Palgrave. [BEP, Chapter 7]

Central and Eastern European Politics

(27 October)

Ramet, S.P. and F. Wagner (2010) ‘Post-Socialist Models of Rule in Central and Southeastern Europe’, in S.P. Ramet (ed.) Central and Southeast European Politics since 1989. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, pp. 9-36.

(29 October)

Hoare, M.A. (2010) ‘The War of Yugoslav Succession’, in S.P. Ramet (ed.) Central and Southeast European Politics since 1989. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, pp. 111-135.

Special Topic #1 – Populism

(3 November)

Mudde, C. (2004) ‘The Populist Zeitgeist’. Government and Opposition, 39 (3): 541-563.

(5 November)

Mudde, C., and C. Rovira Kaltwasser (2013) ‘Exclusionary vs. Inclusionary Populism: Comparing Contemporary Europe and Latin America’. Government and Opposition, 48 (2): 147-174. (Written reading reflection: groups A and C / Presentation: group A)
Zaslove, A. (2008) ‘Here to Stay? Populism as a New Party Type’. European Review, 16 (3): 319-336. (Written reading reflection: groups B and D / Presentation: group B)

Special Topic #2 – Globalisation and Modernisation

(10 November)

Sørensen, G. (2014) ‘Globalization and the Nation-State’, in D. Caramani (ed.) Comparative Politics (Third Edition). Oxford: Oxford University Press, pp. 407-420. [CCP, Chapter 24]

(12 November)

Betz, H.G. (1993) ‘The New Politics of Resentment: Radical Right-Wing Populist Parties in Western Europe’. Comparative Politics, 25 (4): 413-427. (Reading: groups B and C / Presentation: group C)
Alonso, S., and C. Rovira Kaltwasser (2015) ‘Spain: No Country for the Populist Radical Right?’. South European Society and Politics, 20 (1): 21-45. (Reading: groups A and D / Presentation: group D)

Special Topic #3 – The Politics of Immigration and Minorities

(17 November)

Bale, T. (2008) European Politics. A Comparative Introduction. London: Palgrave. [BEP, Chapter 10]

(19 November)

Bale, T. (2003) ‘Cinderella and Her Ugly Sisters: The Mainstream and Extreme Right in Europe’s Bipolarising Party Systems’. West European Politics, 26 (3): 67-90. (Written reading reflection: groups A and C / Presentation: group C)
Pirro, A.L.P. (2015) ‘The Populist Radical Right in the Political Process: Assessing Party Impact in Central and Eastern Europe', in M. Minkenberg (ed.) Transforming the Transformation? The East European Radical Right in the Political Process. London: Routledge, pp. 80-104. (Written reading reflection: groups B and D / Presentation: group D)

Special Topic #4: The EU and Euroscepticism

(24 November)

Gallagher, M., M. Laver, and P. Mair (2011) Representative Government in Modern Europe (Fifth Edition). London: McGraw-Hill, pp. 116-163. [GLM, Chapter 5]

(1 December)

Taggart, P. (1998) ‘A Touchstone of Dissent: Euroscepticism in Contemporary Western European Party Systems’. European Journal of Political Research, 33 (3): 363-388. (Reading: groups A and D / Presentation: group A)
Caiani, M., and N. Conti (2014) ‘In the Name of the People: The Euroscepticism of the Italian Radical Right’. Perspectives on European Politics and Society, 15 (2): 183-197. (Reading: groups B and C / Presentation: group B)

Final Review

(3 December)

Module Review and Final Discussion

Exam Week

(5-11 December)

Final Exam (Look for Announcements)