Introduction to Comparative Government Eastern Michigan University Fall 2015 Political Science 211 T/Th 12:30-1:45 p.m., 117 Marshal Professor Ebrahim K. Soltani 602E Pray-Harrold ekhalife@emich.edu Office Hours: T/Th 8:30-9:30 a.m. & 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Course Description In the past few decades, the world has experienced an important transformation. Modernization, democratization, and globalization are considered among the most important forces behind this fundamental transformation. A key factor in these changes is the government structure, which is the main focus of this course. Comparative politics, as a subfield of political science, examines different government structures and institutions in a comparative fashion. Comparative politics is an attempt to answer difficult and interesting comparative questions such as: Why are some countries democratic and others not? Why do countries have different institutions and forms of government? Why do some countries develop strong sense of statehood and nationhood and others not? Why do countries go to war or establish peace? This course is an introduction to the comparative politics and designed to be accessible to students with no prior knowledge of political science, in general, and comparative politics, in particular. Students will examine key theoretical concepts, comparative methods, and political systems. By the end of the semester, you will have a deeper understanding of comparative political analysis, institutions of different types of government, the comparative international nexus, and some of the main international political challenges. Course Requirements Attendance: You are expected to attend each class and arrive on time. Attendance is essential for success in this class and is mandatory. Lectures will critically reinforce and supplement readings. I take attendance at the beginning of each class. If you miss a class session, then your final grade will be penalized. However, this penalty will be waived, if you write an adequate one page response to the assigned reading for the class session you missed and submit this response by the next class session. Please take note of these policies: Turn off your Cell Phones. The professor reserves the right to ask students whose cell phones ring or who are texting to leave the class. Laptops may only be used in class for note taking. The professor reserves the right to not admit students coming late to the class. 1
Participation: You are expected to read all of the materials assigned for this course. I intend to devote a significant portion of class time to discussing the assigned texts, and expect active participation from all students. This includes listening carefully to other students when they are speaking. Mid-term Exam: There will be an in-class midterm exam on October 20. Group Presentation: In order to expand your knowledge of specific countries and to practice applying comparative methods, you will work in groups of 2 students to prepare and deliver a short (15-20 minutes) presentation that explores one of the course key concepts within the context of at least 2 countries. For example, if you are interested in democratization, you might compare different processes of democratization in two different contexts/countries. The presentations will be given during the final six class meetings. Short Essays: You are expected to write two 3-4 pages (1050-1400 words) essays about the main themes examined in the course. The choice of subject for the essays should be first discussed in individual discussions with the instructor. The first short essay is due on October 27 and the second one is due on December 10. Further guidelines on how to write an academic essay will be provided in class. Final Exam: You will have a final exam on December 15 (Time: 11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m.). Late work will be reduced one letter grade per day, and missed exams or quizzes will receive a zero, unless there is a legitimate documented excuse. It is your responsibility to notify me before the assignment due date or scheduled date of the exam. Grading Criteria Assignment When Percentage Attendance All the time 10% Participation All the time 10% Midterm Exam October 20 20% First Short Essay October 27 10% Group Presentation Final Six Classes 10% Second Short Essay December 10 15% Final Exam December 15 25% Required Texts It is essential that you complete all assigned readings before the class period for which they are assigned. The two required texts for the course are listed below and are available at any of the bookstores that serve the EMU campus, or through online booksellers: 2
1. Comparative Politics: Integrating Theories, Methods, and Cases, J. Tyler Dickovick, Jonathan Eastwood, 2013, Oxford University Press. 2. Current Debates in Comparative Politics, J. Tyler Dickovick, Jonathan Eastwood, 2015, Oxford University Press. Academic Dishonesty The EMU Code of Student Conduct forbids plagiarism. Students should be familiar with the Code: http://www.emich.edu/policies/policy.php?id=124. Any assignment that is plagiarized will receive a score of zero, and may be referred to the EMU Office of Student Conduct. Similarly, cheating on exams is forbidden and will also result in a zero score on the exam. For more detailed information on what plagiarism is and how to avoid it, see: http://www.emich.edu/library/help/integratingsources.php Topics and Assignments Introduction T Sep 8 Syllabus Introduction: Politics? Political Science? Comparative Politics? Comparative Political Analysis Th Sep 10 Comparative Politics, Chapter 1 Current Debates, Section 1 T Sep 15 Comparative Politics, Chapter 2 Current Debates, Section 2 The Modern State Th Sep 17 & T Sep 22 Comparative Politics, Chapter 3 Current Debates, Section 3 Case Studies: Spain, Mexico Development and Political Economy Th Sep 24 & T Sep 29 Comparative Politics, Chapter 4 Current Debates, Section 4 Case Studies: Japan, North Korea, South Korea, Democracy and Democratization Th Oct 1 & T Oct 6 Comparative Politics, Chapter 5 Current Debates, Section 5 Case Studies: United States, United Kingdom, Brazil 3
Authoritarian Regimes and Democratic Breakdown Th Oct 8 & T Oct 13 Comparative Politics, Chapter 6 Current Debates, Section 6 Case Studies: France, Iran Th Oct 15 REVIEW SESSION T Oct 20 MID-TERM EXAM Constitutions and Constitutional Design Th Oct 22 Comparative Politics, Chapter 7 Current Debates, Section 7 Case Studies: United States, South Africa Legislatures and Legislative Elections T Oct 27 Comparative Politics, Chapter 8 Current Debates, Section 8 Case Studies: Germany, Russia FIRST SHORT ESSAY IS DUE. Executives Th Oct 29 Comparative Politics, Chapter 9 Current Debates, Section 9 Case Studies: China, United Kingdom Political Parties, Party Systems T Nov 3 Comparative Politics, Chapter 10 Current Debates, Section 10 Case Studies: China, Germany Revolutions and Contention Th Nov 5 & T Nov 10 Comparative Politics, Chapter 11 Current Debates, Section 11 Case Studies: Iran, India Nationalism and National Identity Th Nov 12 & T Nov 17 Comparative Politics, Chapter 12 Current Debates, Section 12 Case Studies: Germany, Japan GROUP PRESENTATIONS START 4
Race, Ethnicity, and Gender Th Nov 19 Comparative Politics, Chapter 13 Current Debates, Section 13 Case Studies: United States, India T Nov 24 NO CLASS (Professor attends AMUN Conference) Th Nov 26 NO CLASS (Thanksgiving Recess) Ideology and religion in Modern Politics T Dec 1 & Th Dec 3 Comparative Politics, Chapter 14 Current Debates, Section 14 Case Studies: Iran, United States Comparative Politics and International Relations T Dec 8 Comparative Politics, Chapter 15 Current Debates, Section 15 Th Dec 10 REVIEW SESSION SECOND SHORT ESSAY IS DUE. T Dec 15 FINAL EXAM 11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m. 5