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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY
COURSE CODE: "PL 250"
COURSE NAME: "Western European Politics"
SEMESTER & YEAR:
Fall 2015
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SYLLABUS
INSTRUCTOR:
Federigo Argentieri
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS:
TTH 11.30AM 12.45PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS:
45
CREDITS:
3
PREREQUISITES:
Prerequisite: PL 223
OFFICE HOURS:
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COURSE DESCRIPTION:
The course examines the political systems in Western Europe and major political developments affecting Western Europe since 1945 through a comparative lens. Looking at historical legacies, political cultures, types of government, and party systems shaping the major Western European powers, students will gain an understanding of the constitutive features, and transnational developments, challenges and changes in Western European states.
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SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
The geopolitical origins of Western Europe
Liberalism, democracy, dictatorship
Centralization, federalism, regionalism
Traditional parties and their evolution
Newer parties, social and protest movements
Unions, labor, welfare issues, past and present
Cultural and religious identities, immigration, integration
Terrorism
International profiles
Case studies
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LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Students are expected to gain a reasonable knowledge of the main common problems and distinctive features of the countries presented and discussed, including acquaintance with government and party leaders, differences in political systems, power relations, national identities; to be able to analyze problems (possibly also offering solutions) and situations pertaining to the region; to identify present and (recent) past actors, their records, performances and programs.
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TEXTBOOK:
| Book Title | Author | Publisher | ISBN number | Library Call Number | Comments | Format | Local Bookstore | Online Purchase |
| Western Europe 2015-2016 | Wayne C. Thompson | Rowman & Littlefield | 978-1-4758-1884-0 | | | | | |
| Nordic, Central and Southeastern Europe 2015-2016 | Wayne C. Thompson | Rowman & Littlefield | 978-1-4758-1883-3 (e-book) | | | | | |
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REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
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GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
| Assignment | Guidelines | Weight |
| Five short papers | Topics assigned in class. two single-spaced pages on front and back of the same sheet | 50% |
| Final exam | Short essay-type answers to questions related to the reading materials and class discussions | 35% |
-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 required
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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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| Session | Session Focus | Reading Assignment | Other Assignment | Meeting Place/Exam Dates |
| Sep. 1-3 | Introduction to Europe - How can Western Europe Be Defined? | | | |
| Sep. 15-17-19 | Case study - Greece - from 1974 to the present | Wallace Western Europe - Greece | Field trip to Nettuno, Sicily-Rome American Cemetery and Memorial | |
| Sep. 22-24-25 | Review of democratic political systems - parliamentary, semi-presidential, presidential
and of main electoral systems | Notes | | |
| Sep. 29-Oct. 1 | Italy at midterm, 2013-2015 | Wallace Western Europe - Italy | | Paper on Greek elections to be handed in on Tuesday at the beginning of class |
| Oct. 6-8 | Italy's parties | Wallace WE - Italy//Handouts | | |
| Oct. 13-15 | Renzi's attempted constitutional reform | Wallace WE - Italy | | |
| Oct. 20-22 | The UK: the May 2015 election | Wallace WE - United Kingdom | | |
| Oct. 27-29 | The UK: the Scottish referendum | Wallace WE - United Kingdom | | Paper on Italy due at the begining of Tuesday's class |
| Nov. 3-5 | The UK: Corbyn as leader of the Labour party | Wallace WE - UK and handouts | | |
| Nov. 10-12 | Sweden's tradition in domestic and foreign policy | Wallace Nordic and SEE - Sweden | | |
| Nov. 17-19 | Sweden: the challenge of multiculturalism and its political effects | Wallace Nordic and SEE - Sweden | | Paper on the UK due at the beginning of Tuesday's class |
| Nov. 24 | The Spanish election and Catalonia's independence | Wallace WE - Spain | | |
| Dec. 1-3 | The Spanish election and Catalonia's independence, part II | Wallace WE - Spain and handouts | Paper on Spain due on day of final exam | Paper on Sweden due at the beginning of Tuesday's class |
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