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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "PL 223"
COURSE NAME: "Comparative Politics"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Spring 2016
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Eszter Salgo
EMAIL: [email protected]
 HOURS: TTH 11:30 AM 12:45 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES:
OFFICE HOURS: By appointment
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:
​In the age of globalization and increasing interdependence the importance of comparative politics is becoming ever more evident. This course combines a comprehensive thematic overview with in-depth country studies. It explores a) the great challenges that most countries face in today’s world (community building, promoting economic and social development, fostering human rights and civil liberties, etc.); b) the concepts necessary to explain and compare politics in very different countries; c) common features and variations in key political structures, functions and processes. 
The course is divided into two sections. The first part introduces the conceptual framework necessary for conducting a comparative analysis of different political systems. It defines the components of a political system; it explores the functions they perform and analyses how internal and external factors can influence policy outputs. Students will learn for example about political culture, sources of legitimacy, agents of political socialization, processes of interest articulation and interest aggregation, differences between democratic and authoritarian systems. The second part of the course explores the variations in the governments and political systems of the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Russia, Brazil, Mexico, Nigeria, Iran, China, Japan and India. It analyses how political decisions are made and what consequences they have in these countries. 
LEARNING OUTCOMES:

The course will provide students with knowledge of the major issues in comparative politics and with practical skills in analysing countries around the globe.  By the end of the course students will a) understand the cultural, historical, economic, political and social factors that shape nation-states; b) grasp the similarities and the differences between regimes, institutions, actors and policies; c) develop knowledge of the key political characteristics of 11 countries; d) evaluate critically the ways in which a government can help and harm citizens; e) understand how political communities are built both from above and from below; f) demonstrate analytical skills in using case studies to better understand the need for comparative politics; g) employ critical thinking and analytical skills and use research skills including data‐gathering skills (using both primary and secondary, both written and visual sources); h) demonstrate effective written and oral communication skills within the context of politics. 
TEXTBOOK:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberCommentsFormatLocal BookstoreOnline Purchase
Comparative Politics TodayPowelPearson1-292-07695-X     
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
Class attendanceClass attendance will be considered in combination with assessment of students’ active participation in general and specifically during the class debates. Students will not be penalized for two absences. If further absences are recorded, grade penalties will be applied. From one to four more absences will reduce the participation score by 5% for each absence. More than six total absences will result in the overall F.10 %
Oral presentationEach student has to select one of the topics indicated in the annex of this syllabus and provide an approximately 10 minute long oral presentation (the dates of the presentations are indicated in the same annex). Oral Presentation is graded on ability to provide a convincing comparative analysis, a coherent explanation of factual/historical material and logical content of argument, ability to critically analyze alternative points of view and to provide satisfying answers to questions raised in the discussion. 10 %
Midterm examThe midterm exam consist of test questions, short answers and essay questions. It test students on concepts and topics covered in the first part of the semester. Students are graded on accuracy, depth of analysis, logical content, on their ability to use comparative method, formulate a sophisticated argument, provide evidence for their statements, discuss and show understanding of alternative explanations.20%
Term paperEach student has to submit a term paper on the topic of the oral presentation (2000 words, using APA citation style): research abstract (one paragraph which includes the title and a few sentences explaining the choice and the most important issues) with running bibliography should be handed by February 16; the final research paper must submitted by April 5. The key to a successful research paper is students’ ability to: back theses with specific evidence; draw on and cite correctly a wide range of good, reliable and up-to-date sources (both scholarly and newspaper/magazine articles); move beyond descriptive summary raising and produce a well-organized, clearly written, critical and persuasive comparative analysis.20%
Final examIn terms of structure and goals, the final exam is similar to the midterm exam. It is cumulative and will cover all topics discussed throughout the semester.40%

-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 t
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:
Class attendance is mandatory. Students will not be penalized for two absences. If further absences are recorded, grade penalties will be applied. From one to four more absences will reduce the participation score by 5% for each absence. More than six total absences will result in the overall F.
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

COURSE SCHEDULE

Week

Topic

Reading

Week 1

-          Introduction

-          Governance in the era of globalization

-           

-          Textbook Chapter 1

Week 2

-          Why and how we compare

-          Political culture and political socialization

-          Textbook Chapter 2

-          Textbook Chapter 3

 

Week 3

-          Interest articulation

-          Interest aggregation

-          Textbook Chapter 4

-          Textbook Chapter 5

Week 4

 

-          The art of governance

-          Public policy

-          Textbook Chapter 6

-          Textbook Chapter 7

Week 5

-          Review

-          Oral presentations

 

 

Week 6

-          Midterm exam

-          Oral Presentations 

 

Week 7

-          Review of midterm exam

-          Politics in Britain

-           

-          Textbook Chapter 8

 

Week 8

-          Politics in France

-          Politics in Germany

-          Textbook Chapter 9

-          Textbook Chapter 10

Week 9

-          Politics in Japan

-          Politics in Russia

-          Textbook Chapter 11

-          Textbook Chapter 12

Week 10

-          Politics in China

-          Politics in Mexico

-          Textbook Chapter 13

-          Textbook Chapter 14

Week 11

BREAK

Week 12

-          Politics in Brazil

-          Politics in Iran

-          Textbook Chapter 15

-          Textbook Chapter 16

Week 13

-          Politics in India

-          Politics Nigeria

-          Textbook Chapter 17

Textbook Chapter 10

Week 14

-          Oral presentations

-          Oral presentations

Week 15

       -       Review

       -       Oral presentations

Term paper (and oral presentation) topics:

Choose two countries and compare …

February 18

1.       … the characteristics and the strength of their civil societies

2.       … their party systems

3.       … their political cultures

4.       … the roles and the power of their chief executives

5.       … how the political elite seek to build a national community through ‘memory politics’

February 25

6.       … how exclusive governing parties (in two authoritarian systems) conduct politics

7.       … the political role played by the military

8.       … how the political elite seek to build a national community through ‘symbol politics’

9.       … their welfare programs

10.   … their record in achieving the Millennium Development Goals

April 19

11.   … the use of political terror tactics

12.   … the use of humour as a political tool

13.   … the regulation of birth control

14.   … examples for anomic political behaviour

15.   … the role played by associational groups in interest articulation

April 21

16.   … their recent parliamentary elections

17.   … their journey towards democracy

18.   … their policies aimed at promoting economic growth

19.   … the massive violations of human rights perpetrated by the government

20.   … the impacts of a regime change on the political system

April 28

21.   … the restriction of civic rights by the government

22.   … the various manifestations of national pride

23.   … the nature of their national identities

24.   … the role schools in shaping students’ attitude about politics

25.   … the causes of crime rates