Political Science 156 Introduction to Comparative Politics Spring 2005 Professor Keiko Hirata Office: ST 218 Telephone: (818) 677-7233 E-mail: keiko.hirata@csun.edu Office hours: Tuesday 5:00-5:50 p.m., Thursday 11:30 a.m.-12:20 p.m., & by appointment This course is an introduction to the comparative study of government and politics. The purpose of this course is to introduce students to the important themes, concepts (e.g., political culture, conflict, electoral systems), and theories of comparative political analysis. Students will learn methods for studying political processes and institutions in different regions of the world and the means to critically analyze diverse political phenomena. Learning Objectives The Political Science Department has two main learning objectives for this course: Texts I. Develop a Global Perspective Students should demonstrate knowledge and theories relevant to global politics and policies. This includes knowledge of Western and non-western political systems, processes, values and models of politics and patterns of interaction among them. Students should demonstrate an understanding and respect for economic, socio-cultural, political and environmental interaction of global life. II. Political Decision Making Students should demonstrate an in-depth understanding and knowledge of the political institutions through which public policies are formulated, modified, and implemented. There are two required textbooks. Almond, G. A., Powell, G. B. Jr., Strom, K., and Dalton, R. J. (2001). Comparative politics: A theoretical framework, third edition. New York: Longman. Magstadt, T. M. (2001). Nations and governments: Comparative politics in regional perspective (fourth ed). New York: St. Martin s Press. Both books will be available at the CSUN Bookstore. Additional reading materials will be provided during the course. 1
Requirements 1. Two midterm examinations (20x2=40%). The exams will consist of multiplechoice and short answer sections as well as essay sections. 2. Final examination (45%). The exam will be comprehensive, covering the material of the entire course. It will consist of multiple-choice and short answer sections as well as essay questions. 3. Class participation (15%). Active classroom participation is essential to the learning process in this course. You are expected to read all materials, attend all lectures, and actively participate in class discussions. Attendance will be taken every time we meet. You will be graded not only on the quantity but also on the quality of your participation. Make sure you read all the assigned materials prior to coming to class. If you have an emergency and cannot attend class, write a short statement and hand it to the instructor. (Do not send her an e-mail message saying that you cannot come to class. Give her a hard copy of the written statement the next time you come to class.) Please note that even if you attend every class meeting, there is no guarantee that you will receive a maximum score for class participation as that involves not only attendance but also the quantity and quality of your participation in class discussions. Grading Policy Your course grade will be based on the total points you have gained from the course requirements stated above. The instructor will use a plus/minus grading system as follows: a. A+ 98-100%; A 93-97%; A- 90-92% b. B+ 88-89%; B 83-87%; B- 80-82% c. C+ 78-79%; C 73-77%; C- 70-72% d. D+ 68-69%; D 63-67%; D- 60-62% e. F 0-59% Missed Exams In principle, there is NO MAKE-UP for missed exams. Students who miss an exam for an emergency reason are required to summit a written statement (e.g., doctor s note) with detailed information. No e-mail message can substitute for such a statement. Note that the final exam can only be rescheduled under strict conditions established according to University rules. Office Hours and Consultation I encourage you to come talk with me if you have questions at any time during the semester. Please see me in person rather than by e-mail to ask me about the content of the reading materials. 2
If you need to see me at another time other than during my office hours, you may email me for an appointment. External Reading You are encouraged to follow the current events in the region. The following are excellent sources of international news: The New York Times (http://www.nytimes.com/) The Los Angeles Times (http://www.latimes.com/) BBC News (http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/world/asia-pacific/) You may need to register to read them. Registration is free at the above Websites. You will be regularly asked on current international events and news during class discussions. Political Science Department Student Code of Conduct 1. Policy on Plagiarism CSUN catalogue defines plagiarism as intentionally or knowingly representing the words, ideas, or work of another as one s own in academic exercise. The Political Science Department does not tolerate plagiarism or academic dishonesty of any kind and will pursue plagiarism cases to the full extent allowed by CSUN rules, including expulsion from the university. At the minimum, based on the discretion of the instructor, students found guilty of plagiarism may receive an F in the course and their case may be referred to the appropriate university offices for further administrative action. 2. Students may not intentionally engage in any sort of behavior that is disruptive to the classroom. These include, but are not limited to, the following: a. entering the class late or leaving early; b. engaging in non-class related conversation with classmates; c. receiving or answering cellular phone calls or pages in non-emergencies; d. sleeping in class. (Such disrupted behavior will affect students class participation grade.) Class Schedule and Readings The schedule is subject to change, and students are responsible for observing the schedule whether it remains the same or changes. Week 1 (Feb 1, 3) Orientation Almond, et al. Chapter 1: Issues in Comparative Politics 3
Week 2 (Feb 8, 10) Almond, et al. Chapter 1: Issues in Comparative Politics Almond, et al. Chapter 3: Political Culture and Political Socialization Magstadt Chapter 1: Comparative Politics and the Regional Perspective Magstadt Chapter 2: Models, Regimes, and Regions Week 3 (Feb 15, 17) Almond, et al. Chapter 4, Interest Articulation Week 4 (Feb 22, 24) Almond, et al. Chapter 5: Interest Aggregation and Political Parties Week 5 (Mar 1, 3) Almond, et al. Chapter 6: Government and Policymaking Week 6 (Mar 8, 10) Midterm Exam I Almond, et al. Chapter 7: Public Policy Week 7 (Mar 15, 17) Magstadt Chapter 4: The Triumph of Parliaments and Pluralism (Western Europe) Magstadt Chapter 3: The Western Political Heritage (Western Europe) (Mar22, 24 Spring Break, No Class) Week 8 (Mar 29) Magstadt Chapter 4: The Triumph of Parliaments and Pluralism (Western Europe) Magstadt Chapter 3: The Western Political Heritage (Western Europe) (Mar 31 Cesar Chavez Holiday, No Class) Week 9 (Apr 5, 7) Magstadt Chapter 8: Continuity and Change (Asia) Magstadt Chapter 7 Civilizations and Empires (Asia) Week 10 (Apr 12, 14) Magstadt Chapter 8: Continuity and Change (Asia) 4
Magstadt Chapter 10: Caudillos, Coups, and Constitutions (Latin America) Magstadt Chapter 7 Civilizations and Empires (Asia) Magstadt Chapter 10: Caudillos, Coups, and Constitutions (Latin America) Week 11 (Apr 19, 21) Midterm Exam II Magstadt Chapter 10: Caudillos, Coups, and Constitutions (Latin America) Magstadt Chapter 9: The Spanish Conquest and Its Aftermath (Latin America) Week 12 (Apr 26, 28) Magstadt Chapter 11: Politics and Religion (Middle East) Week 13 (May 3, 5) Magstadt Chapter 12: Monarchies, Dictatorships, and a Garrison State (Middle East) Video: Shattered Dreams (PBS) Week 14 (May 10, 12) Magstadt Chapter 12: Monarchies, Dictatorships, and a Garrison State (Middle East) Week 15 (May 17, 19) Review May 23-27 Final Exam (The exact date, time, and location will be announced later.) 5