PSCI A185: Comparative Politics
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Curriculum Committee Approval Date | 10/01/1978 |
| Top Code | 220700 - Political Science |
| Units | 3 Total Units |
| Hours | 54 Total Hours (Lecture Hours 54) |
| Total Outside of Class Hours | 0 |
| Course Credit Status | Credit: Degree Applicable (D) |
| Material Fee | No |
| Basic Skills | Not Basic Skills (N) |
| Repeatable | No |
| Grading Policy | Standard Letter (S),
|
| Associate Arts Local General Education (GE) |
|
| Associate Science Local General Education (GE) |
|
| California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC) |
|
| Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) |
|
| California State University General Education Breadth (CSU GE-Breadth) |
|
Course Description
An introduction to comparative empirical analysis of selected political systems, including advanced democracies, communist and former communist countries, and less developed countries, with an emphasis on governmental institutions and political processes. Particular attention is placed on the relationship between institutions and behavior. Transfer Credit: CSU; UC. C-ID: POLS 130.C-ID: POLS 130.
Course Level Student Learning Outcome(s)
- Explain the basic structures of political systems across the globe and how selected institutions, procedures, and actors function.
- Demonstrate critical thinking through analysis, synthesis, and evaluation of the course content.
- Effectively communicate the knowledge and skills gained in this course.
Course Objectives
- 1. Define, discuss, and apply key concepts in comparative politics.
- 2. Describe the dominant theories of comparative politics and evaluate their evidence.
- 3. Discuss the theoretical and methodological debates among comparativists.
- 4. Describe the historical development of the nation-state and supra-national organizations.
- 5. Explain the development of different political systems around the globe.
- 6. Compare and contrast different types of democratic regimes.
- 7. Compare and contrast different types of non-democratic regimes.
- 8. Identify and explain the likely causes of democratic development.
- 9. Identify and explain the likely causes of economic growth.
- 10. Describe the major political, social, and economic issues facing advanced industrialized democracies, communist and post-communist countries, and less developed countries.
- 11. Explain the importance of institutions and the way that institutions can be designed to address political, social, and economic issues.
- 12. Discuss the theories that explain political and economic development across the globe.
- 13. Describe globalization and identify its effects.
Lecture Content
Introduction to Comparative Politics Concepts including institutions, states, nations, regimes, governments, ideology, political economy Theories Economic, historical, and/or social/cultural explanations of political development Political, historical, and/or social/cultural explanations of economic development Political Analysis Normative v. empirical approaches Scientific methods Quantitative v. qualitative empirical analysis Types of data, modes of analysis, hypothesis-testing, reaching conclusions, drawing inferences Comparative Method The comparative method v. other scientific methods Advanced Industrialized Democracies. Characteristics of advanced industrialized democracies, different democratic systems, implications of those differences, and political and economic trends. Selected political systems may include: Great Britain France Germany Japan Canada United States Any appropriate advanced industrialized democracy Communist and Former Communist Countries. Characteristics of communist authoritarian regimes and command economies, the fall of communism, political and economic transitions in post communist countries, and political and economic trends. Selected political systems may include: Russia China Cuba Any appropriate communist or former communist country Less Developed Countries. Political and economic characteristics of the developing world, possible explanations of economic underdevelopment, possible explanations of democratic success or failure, and political and economic trends. Selected political systems may include: Mexico, Brazil, or other Latin American Countries Nigeria, South Africa, or other African Countries India, Pakistan, or other Asian Countries Conclusion Globalization
Method(s) of Instruction
- Lecture (02)
- DE Live Online Lecture (02S)
- DE Online Lecture (02X)
Instructional Techniques
Lecture and explanations of arguments, issues, topics, terms, and concepts. Focus on argument analysis, criticism, and evaluation. Lecture is outlined and detailed on the board or on PowerPoint. 3. Videos and documentaries to reinforce reading and lecture material to be shown. 4. Newspaper articles and editorials may be discussed in class to emphasize the relevance of the course materials. Other reading materials (magazine or journal articles) may be provided as necessary. 5. Students collaborate for in-class group work assignments or small group discussions. 6. Instructor may provide additional material including handouts as needed. 7. Instructor provides verbal and written feedback on exams, homework, classwork, and writing assignments. 8. Instructor provides students with sample exam questions and study guides for each exam.
Reading Assignments
.
Writing Assignments
Instructor will require students to produce writing assignments to demonstrate proficiency in comparative political analysis. Assignments will require students to demonstrate higher-order thinking: analysis, synthesis, and evaluation.
Out-of-class Assignments
.
Demonstration of Critical Thinking
Exams. There will be a minimum of three exams. Questions will consist of short answer questions, identifications, and essay questions. Exams are based on lecture, readings, and discussions. Participation in class discussions to analyze material covered in lecture and reading. Homework and/or class assignments as necessary to reinforce course material. Group work as necessary to reinforce course material. Read and research cases to develop and illustrate analytical skills in a writing assignment.
Required Writing, Problem Solving, Skills Demonstration
Instructor will require students to produce writing assignments to demonstrate proficiency in comparative political analysis. Assignments will require students to demonstrate higher-order thinking: analysis, synthesis, and evaluation.
Eligible Disciplines
Political science: Masters degree in political science, government, or international relations OR bachelors degree in any of the above AND masters degree in economics, history, public administration, social science, sociology, any ethnic studies, J.D., or LL.B. OR the equivalent. Masters degree required.
Textbooks Resources
1. Required ONeil, Patrick. Essentials of Comparative Politics, ed. New York: W.W. Norton, 2007 2. Required ONeil, Patrick, Karl Fields, and Don Share. Cases in Comparative Politics, ed. New York: W.W. Norton, 2006 Rationale: - 3. Required Roskin, Michael. Countries and Concepts, ed. New York: Pearson, 2006 Rationale: - 4. Required Sodaro, Michael J. . Comparative Politics: A Global Introduction, ed. New York: McGraw Hill, 2004 Rationale: latest