PSCI C185: Comparative Government and Politics
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Curriculum Committee Approval Date | 04/09/2010 |
| 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),
|
| 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
Formerly: PSCI C130. This class provides a comparative analysis of governments in various regions of the world, including Latin America, Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Middle East by examining the differences in the structures and functions of major political systems, including democratic, communistic, and monarchical types of governance. Transfer Credit: CSU; UC. C-ID: POLS 130.C-ID: POLS 130.
Course Level Student Learning Outcome(s)
- Utilize basic political science concepts and theory to critically compare and contrast how different types of government create and administer laws, distribute political power, and shape the economic and social life of their nations.
- Utilize basic political science concepts and theory to analyze how different political systems are shaped by geographic, socio-cultural, and economic factors.
Course Objectives
- 1. Identify the role of the state.
- 2. Compare political systems, both in theory and with actual country examples.
- 3. Explain the impact of the regional, economic, historical, and cultural factors on political institutions and behavior.
- 4. Analyze political systems by using the comparative method.
- 5. Distinguish among regime types and their central features.
Lecture Content
Introduction to Comparative Politics and Government 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 North Korea 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 system s may include: Mexico, Brazil, or other Latin American Countries Nigeria, South Africa, or other African Countries India, Pakistan, or other Asian Countries Iran, Syria, or other Middle Eastern Countries Conclusion Globalization
Method(s) of Instruction
- Lecture (02)
- DE Online Lecture (02X)
- DO NOT USE (HY)
Instructional Techniques
A variety of instructional techniques will be employed to encompass different student learning styles. These may include, but are not limited to, lecture, discussion, and small group activities. Instruction will be supplemented, where appropriate, by PowerPoint presentations, electronic resources and technologies, guest speakers, and field trips.
Reading Assignments
Students will complete reading assignments from the textbook as well as any supplemental reading based upon course readers, handouts, Internet resources, and assignments from the Coastline Library.
Writing Assignments
Both midterm and final exams will include at least one essay designed to assess students ability to construct a coherent argument utilizing political science theory and concepts. Students will also complete a research report to demonstrate their ability to apply ideas of comparative political analysis.
Out-of-class Assignments
Outside of the classroom students will do the required reading, study for quizzes and exams, and conduct research, where applicable, to prepare papers and essays.
Demonstration of Critical Thinking
Critical thinking will be demonstrated through class discussions and written assignments, such as essays and research reports.
Required Writing, Problem Solving, Skills Demonstration
At least 35% of the course grade will be based on writing assignments. Through written assignments, students will demonstrate the ability to construct a coherent argument utilizing political science theory and concepts.
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 Roskin, Michael G. Countries and Concepts: Politics, Geography and Culture, 13th ed. Prentice Hall, 2015 Rationale: - Legacy Textbook Transfer Data: Legacy text 2. Required Klesner, Joesphy. Comparative Politics: An Introduction, 1st ed. McGraw Hill, 2014 Rationale: More recent edition not available Legacy Textbook Transfer Data: Legacy text 3. Required ONeil, Patrick H. Essentials of Comparative Politics, 5th ed. W.W. Norton, 2015 Rationale: - Legacy Textbook Transfer Data: Legacy text
Other Resources
1. Coastline Library 2. Annual Editions: Comparative Politics, McGraw Hill