III. Practice questions: We encourage you to answer practice questions and give them to a faculty member to read and provide feedback.

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1 Department of Political Science Brooklyn College Study Outlines: Masters Degree Comprehensive Examination The comprehensive exam consists of eight questions, two from each of the four fields of political science: International Relations (IR), comparative politics, American politics, and political theory. For the exam, you answer two of these questions. One question is from your area of specialization. The other can be from any of the other three fields. If you have two specializations, you can answer one from each, or one from one of them and the other from either of the two other fields. The exam goes from 9:30 am to 1:00 pm, so you will have a total of four hours (two hours for each question). You are encouraged to write an outline before writing your answer. Essays will be written in exam blue books, and each one should be at least 8 pages (or 4 pages, both sides). This study guide is intended to provide a general description of the four fields and the areas on which the questions focus. Each of the four sections has four parts: I. The principal issue areas of the field II. The types of questions that will be asked. Most questions are designed to bring out the principal theories of the specialization, and to use concrete cases to illustrate them. Questions are drawn from the courses in the field taught over the past year. III. Practice questions: We encourage you to answer practice questions and give them to a faculty member to read and provide feedback. IV. Reading list. There are three sets of readings you should use to prepare for the exam: textbooks for a general review; academic articles for in-depth analysis; and the notes and readings from your classes. Below, for each field, is a list of textbooks and articles placed on reserve at the library. V. Supplemental Material (in IR) Make sure to complete and send the exam application form to the Graduate Office before the deadline listed in the Course Schedule. The application form is available online and can be accessed through this link: If that link does not work: 1. Go to the Brooklyn College website 2. From the directory on the upper right hand side, Go to Graduate Studies 3. On the Graduate Studies page, on the lower left hand corners is a link to Common Forms 4. On the Common Forms site, click on Application for Comprehensive Exam

2 INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS I Main Issue Areas (1) IR Theoretical Paradigms: Conceptual frameworks of understanding called paradigms have developed to explain international relations, often based on an underlying set of values, interests, and world realities. The two main paradigms are realism and liberalism. They are described, along with other paradigms, in the supplement below. (2) International Structure and Organization: a. How the world structure is understood and how it functions. Specific topics include the balance of power and international cooperation. b. The United Nations and other international organizations roles, effectiveness, and politics. (3) International Law: background, functions, applicability, importance, and weaknesses (4) International Economics: a. International Financial Institutions: The Bretton Woods System (e.g. the World Bank and the IMF), their policies, and the impacts on different countries economies b. The politics of world trade and economic relations (5) Foreign Policy: The history, formation, impact, and changes in US and other countries foreign policies. (6) Armed Conflict: Inter-state war, civil war, arms proliferation, violence, conflict prevention II Exam Questions The two questions in International Relations will be based on the courses offered in the previous year. But they will center on two main sets of issues. One question will be on conflict: how the balance of power, national interests, international law, and international organizations deal with armed conflict, trade wars, and other forms of global tension. The other question will be on the international institutions, assessing the effectiveness of international financial, political, and other organizations on world problems. III Practice Questions (1) Briefly describe why international organizations developed in the modern era. What is one issue on which they have been particularly effective, and one in which they have been particularly ineffective? (2) What are three of the primary criticisms of international law? Why or why do you not agree with those criticisms? (3) In the current era of war on terrorism and in Iraq, are the international theories regarding the balance of power still relevant? Why or why not?

3 IV Readings (1) Textbooks on Reserve: The following textbooks have been put on reserve: 1. Enloe, Cynthia, Bananas, Beaches and Bases: Making Feminist Sense of International Politics 2. Pearson, Frederic and J. Martin Rochester, International Relations, McGraw-Hill, Ray, J.T., Global Politics, 6 th Edition 3. Rourke, John T., Taking Sides: Clashing Views on Controversial Issues in World Politics, NY: McGraw-Hill, 2000 (1) Reserve Room Folders: In the reserve room, there is a folder for the first five topics listed above: IR Theoretical Paradigms, International Structure, International Law, and International Organizations, and International Financial Institutions. Each one is listed under Ungar (Instructor) and Comprehensive Exam (Course). These readings provide sufficient information for the exam, but if you did not study one of these topics in class, further readings are recommended. Following are the readings in each topic folder: Folder 1. Theoretical Paradigms: 1. Kegley, C. and E. Wittkopf, World Politics: Trends and Transformation (1997), Chapter 1 2. Walt, Stephen, International Relations: One World, Many Theories, Foreign Policy, Spring Liberal Theories of International Relations: Introduction and Writings of Hugo Grotius, Michael Doyle, Woodrow Wilson, Hedley Bull, and Robert Keohane (from Williams, Phil, et al, Classic Readings and Contemporary Debates in International Relations, Wadsworth, 2005) 4. Realist and Neo-Realist Theories: Writings of Thomas Hobbes, E.H. Carr, Hans Morgenthau, and Kenneth Waltz (from Williams et al) 5. Steans, Jill and Lloyd Pettiford, International Relations: Perspectives and Themes, NY: Longman, 2001 Folder 2. International Structure 1. Introduction and Essays by Waltz, Karl Deutch and J. Singer, Morton Kaplan, James Rosenau, Keohane, Joseph Nye, and Richard Mansbach et al (from Williams et al) 2. Young, Oran, Regime Dynamics (from International Organization 36) 3. Keohane, Cooperation and International Regimes 4. Keck, Margaret and Kathryn Sikkink, Advocacy Networks in International Politics Folder 3. International Law: 1. Legal Systems of the World, International Law (ABC-CLIO, 2002) 2. Henkin, Louis, How States Behave, Introduction and Chapter 1 3. Ratner, Steven, International Law: The Trials of Global Norms (from Foreign Policy, 1998)

4 4. Alvarez, José, Legal unilateralism (in Weiss, Wars on Terrorism and Iraq, Routledge, 2004) 5. What Good is International Law, Essay Series, Wilson Quarterly, 2003 Folder 4. International Organization: 1. Charles Kegley and Eugene Wittkopf, World Politics, Chapter 6 2. Feld, Warner, et al, International Organizations: a Comparative Approach (Praeger, 1994), Chapter 1: Changing Conceptualizations 3. The United Nations, The UN in Brief 4. Is the United Nations Fundamentally Flawed? (In Rourke, Taking Sides, McGraw-Hill, 2006) 5. UN Secretary General Report: A more secure world: Our Shared Responsibility 6. Armstrong, David, The Rise of International Organization, Chapter 5 Folder 5: International Financial Institutions: 1. Walters, Robert and David Blake, The Politics of Global Economic Relations, Chapter 3 (3) Additional Books: The following books on the six listed IR topics can be provided upon request. Bennett, A. LeRoy, International Organizations, New Jersey: Prentice Hall, 1995 Hook, Steven and John Spanier, American Foreign Policy Since World War II, Washington, DC: Congressional Quarterly, 2004 Kegley, Charles and Eugene Wittkopf, World Politics: Trend and Transformations, New York: St. Martin s Press Lentner, Howard H., International Politics: Theory and Practice, NY: West Publishing Morgenthau, Hans, Politics Among Nations, New York: McGraw-Hill, 1985 Papp, Daniel S., Contemporary International Relations, NY: Longman, 2002 Russett, Bruce and Harvey Starr, World Politics: The Menu for Choice, NY: WH Freeman, 1996 Steans, Will and Lloyd Pettiford, International Relations: Perspectives and Themes, Chapter 4: Critical Theory (On Reserve) Waltz, Kenneth, Man, The State, and War, Columbia University Press

5 V Supplement: IR Theoretical Paradigms Realism/Neo-Realism: This perspective, the most influential in IR, sees people and nations as inherently selfish, competitive, and power hungry. As a result, realists argue that promotion of national interests is both realistic and necessary. The most stable international structure is a balance of power, in which it becomes the interests of equally powerful states not to attack each other. Realism has a long tradition of theorists and practitioners, from Machiavelli to Kissinger. Critics of realism argue that it does not explain cooperation, and that it lacks rigorous methodological explanation linking selfish behavior with international politics. Idealism: This paradigm believes that people and nations are essentially peaceful, and that ideals can and should be the basis of international policies. It believes that conflict and competition arises from misunderstanding and the anarchic state of world politics, and so international cooperation through law and multilateral cooperation is the solution to global conflicts. Though based on early philosophers such as Jean-Jacques Rousseau and Immanuel Kant, idealism emerged as a workable approach in the 20 th Century, mainly by US President Woodrow Wilson after World War I, and then after World War II when it laid the foundation for international organizations such as the UN and international laws like the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Critics argue that it fails to explain the continuation of war and inequality. Behavioralism: This is more of a methodological approach than a paradigm. Emerging mainly in the 1950s, it focuses on objective, scientific data that minimizes any preconceived notions or biases. It attempts to find patterns and facts through comparing countries or issues and through causal models based on variables. History: While every theory draws upon history, this paradigm believes that we can understand international politics only by what flows out of current experiences, without trying to generalize. It tends to see each historical period as unique: for example, a historical analysis will regard the Cold War as the result of the mutual ideological distrust between the US and USSR, competing geo-strategic interests, the arms race, etc.

6 COMPARATIVE POLITICS I Main Issue Areas (1) State Formation: Histories and analysis of the patterns that led to the formation of states in Europe, Africa, Asia, and Latin America. (2) Economic Development: a. Contrasts between theories of modernization and theories of dependency b. Variations in economic development: why do some countries develop and others don t? c. The interaction between politics and economic development: how do politics determine economic policy and socio-economic equality? d. North-South Relations, Debt, and Aid: Inequality in an Era of Globalization (3) Regimes, Transitions, and Democratization: a. The breakdown of democracy: the role of the military, society, and government b. Transitions to and Consolidation of Democracy: comparative processes in Latin America, Africa, Asia, Europe, and weaknesses of contemporary democracy in these regions c. Revolution: How ideology, deprivation, and state-society relations cause and shape revolutions d. Regimes: the balance of power between the executive, legislative, and judicial branches (4) Society, Culture, Religion, and Politics: a. The impact of religious and cultural values on political policies and regimes b. The varying roles and importance of elites and class structure in each world region II Exam Questions One of the questions will be on regime change: the transition to democracy, the stability of new regime, the role of conflict and revolution, state formation and other factors that shape political regimes. The other question will be on social-economic issues: state-society relations, the impacts of social change on government, and the role of economics on state strength and national policies. III Practice Questions 1. Many argue that democracy and economic development are incompatible, since strong governments are needed to implement painful economic measures. Do you agree with this assessment? Why or why not? Use at least two specific examples to support your case. 2. Many of those who study development say that both modernization theory and dependency theory are too deterministic and do not reflect the reality of poor countries. Do you think either of these approaches is correct? Which one, and why?

7 3. How do you explain violent changes in a regime, such as through revolution? Using at least two case studies, describe what you consider the main causes of violent political change. If those conditions are common, why isn t such change more frequent? IV Readings (1) Texts on Reserve: 1. Joseph, William A., et al, Introduction to Third World Politics, NY: Houghton Mifflin 2. Kopstein, Jeffrey and Mark Lichbach, Comparative Politics, NY: Cambridge University Press 3. Palmer, Monte, Political Development, Illinois: Peacock Publishers, 1997 (2) Reserve Room Folders: Folder 1: Economic Development Seligson, Mithchell, et al, Development and Underdevelopment, Boulder: Lynne Rienner, 1998 (3) Additional Books: For the six topics, the following books will be provided upon request: Black, Jan, Development in Theory and Practice: Bridging the Gap, Boulder: Westview, 1991 Cardoso, Fernando Enrique and Enzo Faletto, Dependency and Development in Latin America, Berkeley: University of California, 1979 Chilcote, Ronald, Theories of Comparative Politics, Boulder: Westview Press, 1981 Joseph, William A., et al, Third World Politics at the Crossroads, Lexington: D.C. Heath, 1998 Magstadt, Thomas, Nations and Governments: Comparative Politics in Regional Perspective, NY: St. Martin s, 1998 Migdal, Joel, Strong Societies and Weak States, Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1988

8 AMERICAN POLITICS I Main Issue Areas (1) The Constitution: Historical context (Declaration of Independence, Articles of Confederation, Federalist v. Anti-Federalist debate, the Bill of Rights; Major principles (separation of powers, checks and balances; limited government, civil liberties); Strengths and weaknesses (2) The Three Branches of Government: a. The Executive: Constitution Article II; Implied and residual powers; Electoral college; impeachment; war powers; conflicts with Congress b. The Legislative branch: Constitution Article I; structure of Congress; powers and limitations of Congress; role of parties and committees; how bills become laws; relationship with the Presidency; Interest groups: lobbying, role of money, PACs c. The Judicial branch: Constitution Article III ; development of judicial review, federal court system, state court system, evolution of the Supreme Court, relationship with executive and legislative branches; civil rights and civil liberties (3) Political Parties: Development as extra-constitutional institutions; two party system; origins of Democratic and Republican Parties; role of third parties; rise and decline of political party power; party alignment theory; election campaigns; campaign finance reform (4) Society and Politics: a. Social Movements: historical and contemporary role in US politics (e.g. abolitionists, trade union, civil rights, women, gay rights, environmental movements) b. Race in US politics: Constitutional development on race and slavery; role of three branches in civil rights; social movements; legislation; voter turnout c. Gender in US politics: women s rights in history US; Constitution: original, amendment, women in the labor force; family structure; growing role in US politics d. Urban Politics: theories of community power; pluralist and elite power; evolution of cities and suburbs and relationship between them; cities and federalism; city government: economic development, services, policing; race, class, and gender in urban politics II Exam Questions One question will be on the American political system: the functioning, history, and problems of the executive, legislative, and/or judicial branches, along with the roles of political parties and

9 interest groups on them. The second question will be on American society: the roles of race or gender, the impact of the media, or politics at the local level. III Practice Questions 1. Discuss the impact on the American political system of three of the following extraconstitutional institutions: a) political parties; b) interest groups; c) social movements; d) mass media. 2. How is the distribution of political power in the U.S. influenced by race and racial conflict? IV Readings (1) Books on Reserve: 1. McKenna, George and Stanley Feingold, Taking Sides: Clashing Views on Controversial Political Issues, NY: McGraw-Hill, Judge, David, et al. Theories of Urban Politics. Chapters 1, 2, 3, and 9 3. Judd, Dennis and Paul Kantor, The Politics of Urban America, Introduction (2) Suggested Readings (all in the Brooklyn College library) The Legislative Branch (recommended readings): Mayhew, David. Congress: The Electoral Connection, New Haven, Yale University. Skocopol, Theda. Social Policy in the United States, Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1995 Skowronek, Stephen. Building a New American State, Cambridge University Press, 1982 Dodd and Oppenheimer. Congress Reconsidered, Congressional Quarterly Press, 1993

10 POLITICAL THEORY Note: See Professor Currah to talk about studying for the political theory comprehensive questions. I Main Issue Areas (1) Different political theorists' understanding of freedom, human, nature, and justice (Fanon, Taylor, Nozick, Marxists, Berlin's distinction between positive liberty and negative liberty) (2) Different theorists' definitions of the public and the private sphere, their views on the role of private property, and the policy consequences of their definitions of public and private (start with the Fraser article, Taylor, Nozick, Berlin, any of the Marxist theorists) (3) How race and gender are political concepts (Fanon, Appiah, Butler, de Beauvoir) (4) Different theorists' concept of power, and the relation between their concept of power and their view of freedom: e.g., is power simply obvious coercion, is it economic, are power relations psychological or "internalized". (Nozick, Fanon, de Beauvoir, Butler, Berlin. Foucault) (5) Why and how did some of the twentieth century thinkers you studied in that class critique the fundamental premises of the European Enlightenment? (For a cap of what the fundamental premises of the Enlightenment were, look up your notes from the first class. See also the Pauline Johnson article on the reading list for the theory comprehensive exam.) (Possibilities: Arendt, Fanon, de Beauvoir, Foucault, Chatterjee) II Exam Questions The theory questions will focus on comparing theorists views of specific concepts, such as justice and human nature. They will also ask you to analyze specific theorist s views on different concepts, such as the relation between their view of human nature and their vision of justice, or the relation between their view of power and their notion of freedom. Drawing on those connections, then, you should be able to explain underlying differences in views between two or more theorists as well as analyze different areas of a theorist s work. III Practice Questions 1. Conceptualize different political theorists' understanding of freedom and suggest how it affects their view of justice. (Locke, Rousseau, Marx, Mill, Madison, Fanon, Taylor, Nozick, contemporary Marxist theorists, Berlin's description of two schools of thought on freedom: positive liberty and negative liberty)

11 2. Then sketch out the positions of at least three of the thinkers studied in that class on the following concepts and themes, and be able to compare and contrast their views. You might sketch out your review of each concept/theme with a different group of theorists. I've suggested some theorists where appropriate. IV Readings Berlin, Isaiah, the essay on Machiavilli, in Isaiah Berlin, Against the Current, out of print, but available in the library. Bronner, Stephen Eric, editor, Twentieth Century Political Theory. New York: Routledge, Read especially: Lenin, Gramsci, de Beauvoir, Arendt, Fanon, Foucault, Rawls, Nozick, Taylor. Or buy or borrow the primary texts of these thinkers from the library. Cohen, Mitchell and Nicole Ferman, editors, Princeton Readings in Political Theory. Princeton: Princeton Univ. Press, Especially read Machiavelli, Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, Burke, Mill, Marx, Nietzsche. Or buy or borrow the primary texts of these thinkers from the library. Fraser, Nancy. "Rethinking the Public Sphere," in The Phantom Public Sphere, ed. Bruce Robbins, Minneapolis: Minnesota University Press, Johnson, Pauline, Feminism and Enlightenment, in Radical Philosophy 63, Spring Kolakowski, Leszek, Main Currents of Marxism, Volumes I, II, and III, Oxford: Oxford University Press, Locke, John, Book II (Second Treatise), Chpater I XII, in Two Treatises on Government Rousseau, Jean-Jacques. Discourse on the Origins of Inequality in The Basic Political Writings, Indianapolis: Hackett Publishing, Taylor, Charles, Atomism, in Charles Taylor, Philosophy and the Human Sciences, volume II, New York: Cambridge University Press, Wolin, Sheldon. Politics and Vision. Out of print but available in the library. Young, Iris, Social Movements and the Politics of Difference, in Iris Young, Iris, Justice and the Politics of Difference (Princeton Univ. Press, 1990) pp