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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY
COURSE CODE: "PL 223-2"
COURSE NAME: "Comparative Politics"
SEMESTER & YEAR:
Fall 2015
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SYLLABUS
INSTRUCTOR:
Michael Driessen
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS:
MW 3:00 PM 4:15 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS:
45
CREDITS:
3
PREREQUISITES:
OFFICE HOURS:
TTH 1:30-3:30pm
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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.
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SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
The course is divided into 3 sections which look at 1) Comparative Politics in Western Modernity; 2) Transitions, Revolutions and 3rd Wave Considerations; and 3) New Directions in Comparative Politics. Over 9 units, we will study 10 countries along a timeline and critically chart out how these states differ and converge in the ways in which they organize power and distribute goods to citizens. In order of appearance, they are Great Britain, Italy, USSR, USA, Chile, the Czech Republic, Congo, Iran, China, and Egypt. Each unit introduces one major 1)Regime Type; 2) Country Example 3) Political Idea or Theme. Along the way, the student will learn something about the dominant enduring topics of study of comparative politics, including liberalism, fascism, communism, democracy, democratic transitions, ethnic politics, civil war, political economies, identity politics, authoritarianisms, electoral systems, political parties and revolution.
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LEARNING OUTCOMES:
My pedagogical hope is that students will finish this course equipped with a foundational set of tools to critically distinguish among modern political systems that will allow them to begin to analyze the relationships between the ideas, institutions, cultures and histories which underpin these systems. They will also learn the defining political characteristics of 10 modern nation-states. The essential goal will be to help students to begin practicing a higher level of political analysis and a more nuanced appreciation of the practical ways in which humans attempt to achieve common goods in modern times. When finished with this course students should expect to substantively answer the following questions about any nation: 1) what is the regime type? 2) what does the political economy look like? 3) What does the state look like? 4) What are the institutions, policies, and ideas that describe these three attributes? 5) Are there cultural, historical and religious affinities to all the above?
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TEXTBOOK:
| Book Title | Author | Publisher | ISBN number | Library Call Number | Comments | Format | Local Bookstore | Online Purchase |
| Essentials of Comparative Politics, 3rd Ed. | Patrick H. O’Neil | W.W. Norton | 9780393933765 | | | | | |
| The Communist Manifesto | Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels | SoHo Books | 9781453704424 | | | | | |
| The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism | Max Weber | Penguin Books | 0140439218 | | | | | |
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REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
| Book Title | Author | Publisher | ISBN number | Library Call Number | Comments |
| Open Letters: Selected Writings, 1965-1990 | Vaclav Havel | Vintage Books | 0679738118 | | |
| The Wretched of the Earth | Frantz Fanon | Grove Press | ISBN-13: 978-0802141323 | | |
| The Future of Freedom: Illiberal Democracy at Home and Abroad | Fareed Zakaria | WW Norton & Company Inc | ISBN-13: 978-0393331523 | | |
| Economic Backwardness in Historical Perspective | Alexander Gershenkron | Belknap Press | ISBN-13: 978-0674226005 | | |
| The Solzhenitsyn Reader: New and Essential Writings 1947-2005 | Aleksandr I. Solzhenitsyn (ed. Ericson and Mahoney) | ISI Books | ISBN: 978-1-935191-55-1 | | |
| Democracy in America | Alexis de Tocqueville | Penguin Books | ISBN-13: 978-0140447606 | | |
| On Liberty | John Stuart Mill | Dover Thrift Editions | ISBN-13: 978-0486421308 | | |
RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
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GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
| Assignment | Guidelines | Weight |
| Mid-term Exam | | 20% |
| Final Exam | | 30% |
| Short Reflections (7) | 1 page each, on any reading or set of readings within a section of the course. Reading reflections must be turned by the date specified in the course calendar. | 40% |
| Participation | Attendance and Presence of Mind are mandatory for this class. The goal here is to advance towards the art of asking good questions. Quality, not quantity of participation is what counts, although some quantity is better than no quality. Students will be allowed 2 unexcused absences. Each unexcused absence thereafter will result in the lowering of the attendance grade by 1/3rd a letter grade. More than 12 unexcused absences may result in a failure to pass the course. | 10% |
-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 cours
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:
Attendance and Presence of Mind are mandatory for this class. The goal here is to advance towards the art of asking good questions. Quality, not quantity of participation is what counts, although some quantity is better than no quality. Students will be allowed 2 unexcused absences. Each unexcused absence thereafter will result in the lowering of the attendance grade by 1/3rd a letter grade. More than 12 unexcused absences may result in a failure to pass the course.
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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.
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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.
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SCHEDULE
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Course Outline:
Part I. Comparing Politics in Western Modernity
1. Modern Nation-States and the Rise of Political Liberalism
Countries: England (and France)
2. Late Nation-State Builders and Liberalism in Crisis
Countries: Italy (and Germany)
3. Liberalism in Crisis part II.
Country: USSR
4. Liberal Revenge.
Country: USA
Part II. After the End of History: Transitions, Revolutions and 3rd Waves
5. 3rd Wave Transitions:
Countries: Chile and the Czech Republic.
6. Identity Politics, Poverty, Civil War and Failed States
Country: Congo
7. Theocracy and the Return of Religious Politics
Country: Iran
8. Competitive Authoritarianism and Authoritarian Capitalism
Country: China
Part III. New Directions:
9. Tahrir Square and the Future of Comparative Politics: Dealing with pluralism in the 21st century
Country: Egypt
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Course Calendar
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August 31
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Class 1
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Course Introduction
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Part I: Comparing Politics in Western Modernity
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1. Modern Nation-States and the Rise of Political Liberalism: England (and France)
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September 2
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Class 2
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O’Neil chapters 1 & 2
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September 7
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Class 3
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Weber, The Protestant Ethic : First read chapters 1 & 2 (from part I “The Problem”): “Religious Affiliation and Social Stratification” and “The Spirit of Capitalism.”
Then read chapter 5, “Asceticism and the Spirit of Capitalism (from part II “The Vocational Ethic of Ascetic Protestantism”
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September 9
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Class 4
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Fareed Zakaria, “A Brief History of Human Freedom,” Library Reserves (chapter 1)
Recommended:
Fareed Zakaria, “Capitalism, not Culture, Drives Economics,”
J. S. Mill, On Liberty, chapters 1 & 2
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September 14
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Class 5
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(Reading Reflection 1 Due)
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O’Neil chapter 5
Magna Carta (skim) Its her 500th Anniversary!!!
France’s “Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen”
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2. Late Nation-State Builders and Liberalism in Crisis: Italy (and Germany)
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September 16
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Class 6
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Mussolini, “The Doctrine of Fascism” (1932)
The Futurist Manifesto, and paintings
Leni Riefenstahl, “Triumph des Willens”
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September 21
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Class 7
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Alexander Gershenkron, “Economic Backwardness in Historical Perspective,” (chapter 1)
Michael Mann, “A Political Theory of Nationalism and its Excesses,” chapter 4 in Notions of Nationalism, ed. S. Periwal 1995, available as e-book on JCU Library’s worldcat
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3. Liberalism in Crisis part II: USSR
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September 23
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Class 8
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(Reading Reflection 2 Due)
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Marx and Engels, The Communist Manifesto (skip chapter III)
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September 28
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Class 9
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Lenin, “The April Theses?”: & “Lessons of the Revolution”
Stalin, “The Foundations of Leninism: The Dictatorship of the Proletariat,” chapter IV
Recommended: O’Neil Chapter 9, pp.s 270-286
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September 30
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Class 10
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Aleksandr I. Solzhenitsyn, The Gulag Archipelago: Part I: ch.s 1&4; part III: ch. 7; part IV: ch.s 1-2; Part VI: ch.s 2&7. [These selections correspond to pages 218-240; 253-273; 294-306 in The Solzhenitsyn Reader: New and Essential Writings, 1947-2005 (ed.s Ericson, Jr. and Mahoney) available in the Library Reserves]
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4. Liberal Revenge: USA
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October 5
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Class 11
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(Reading Reflection 3 Due)
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Francis Fukuyama, “The End of History”
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October 7
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Class 12
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Robert Putnam, “Bowling Alone: America’s Declining Social Capital,” Journal of Democracy 6(1), 1995:
Read through Putnam’s survey instrument and data
Sheri Berman, “Understanding Social Democracy”
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October 12
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Class 13
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O’Neil Chapter 8
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October 14
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Class 14
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Mid-term Exam
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Part II: After the End of History: Transitions, Revolutions and 3rd Waves
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5. 3rd Wave Transitions: Chile and the Czech Republic.
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October 19
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Class 15
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Havel, “The Power of the Powerless,” sections I-X, XIV-XVI, XXI-XXII; and “New Year’s Address,” all in Open Letters: Selected Writings, 1965-1990:
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October 21
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Class 16
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Samuel P. Huntington, “Democracy’s Third Wave,” Journal of Democracy, 2(2), 1991
Steven Levitsky and David Collier, “Democracy with Adjectives: Conceptual Innovation in Comparative Research,” World Politics, 49(3), 1997
Pablo Neruda, “A Call for the Destruction of Nixon and Praise for Chilean Revolution”
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October 26
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Class 17
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O’Neil Chapter 9, pp.s 286-303
Valerie Bunce, “Rethinking Recent Democratization: Lessons from the Post-Communist Experience,” World Politics, 55, 2003
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6. Identity Politics, Poverty, Civil War and Failed States: Congo
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October 28
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Class 18
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(Reading Reflection 4 Due)
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O’Neil chapter 10, pp.s 290-308 (in O’Neil 3rd Ed: ch. 9, pp.s 230-247)
Frantz Fanon, “Concerning Violence,” chapter 1 from The Wretched of the Earth, Library Reserves
Leopold Senghor, “To New York”
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November 2
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Class 19
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Economist, “Africa’s Great War,” http://www.economist.com/node/1213296?story_id=1213296
Filip Reyntjens, “Briefing: The Second Congo War: More than a Remake,” African Affairs, (98) 391, 1999
James Fearon and David Laitin, “Ethnicity, Insurgency and Civil War” American Political Science Review (97) 1. 2003:
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November 4
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Class 20
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O’Neil chapter 9, pp.s 247-259
Jeffery Sachs, The End of Poverty. 2005. Time Magazine Excerpt
William Easterly, “Was Development Assistance a Mistake?”
Good News from Africa:
http://www.economist.com/blogs/graphicdetail/2012/05/daily-chart-12
http://www.economist.com/blogs/graphicdetail/2012/02/daily-chart-20
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7. Theocracy and the Return of Religious Politics: Country: Iran
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November 9
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Class 21
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(Reading Reflection 5 Due)
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Economist, “In God’s Name,” 2007
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November 11
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Class 22
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Bernard Lewis, “The Roots of Muslim Rage,” The Atlantic, September (1990):
Michael L. Ross, “Does Oil Hinder Democracy?” World Politics, 53(3), 2001
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November 16
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Class 23
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Vali Nasr, “The Rise of ‘Muslim Democracy,’” Journal of Democracy 16(2), 2005
Gunes Tezcur, “Democracy Promotion, Authoritarian Resiliency, and Political Unrest in Iran,” Democratization 19(1), 2012
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8. Competitive Authoritarianism and Authoritarian Capitalism: China
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November 18
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Class 24
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(Reading Reflection 6 Due)
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O’Neil chapter 6
Steven Levitsky and Lucan Way, “The Rise of Competitive Authoritarianism,” Journal of Democracy, 12(2), 2002
Ivan Krastev, “The Rules of Survival,” The Journal of Democracy, (April), 2009
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November 23
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Class 25
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Azar Gat, “The Return of Authoritarian Great Powers,” Foreign Affairs (86)4, 2007
Thomas Friedman, “Advice for China”
Amnesty International, “Annual Report: China 2015”
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Part III. New Directions:
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9. Tahrir Square and the Future of Comparative Politics: Egypt
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November 25
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Class 26
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(Reading Reflection 7 Due)
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Economist, “Has the Arab Spring Failed” Special Report (2013)
Samer Shehata, “In Egypt, Democrats v. Liberals” July 2nd, 2013, New York Times
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November 30
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Class 27
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O’Neil chapter 11
Ivan Krastev, “Russian Revisionism: Russia’s Plan for Overturning the European Order.” Foreign Affairs (2014)
Charles Lister, “Profiling the Islamic State,” Brooking Institute Doha (2014)
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December 2
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Class 28
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Conclusions and Review
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Final Exam
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