PSCI G185: Comparative Politics
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Curriculum Committee Approval Date | 11/21/2023 |
| 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) |
|
| Diversity Requirement (GCD) | Yes |
| California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC) |
|
| Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) |
|
| California State University General Education Breadth (CSU GE-Breadth) |
|
Course Description
This course provides an introduction to the tools and concepts of comparative analysis. Students will explore and examine the different types of political systems in the world, including the environment in which they exist, their history, political behavior, institutions, processes and the consequences of governmental policy and action. Transfer Credit: CSU; UC. C-ID: POLS 130. C-ID: POLS 130.
Course Level Student Learning Outcome(s)
- Course Outcomes
- Identify key terms and concepts in comparative politics, including the role of the state, regime types, institutional arrangements, and the basic underlying principles of a democracy.
- Evaluate theories of development and democratization, cultural variations, and important findings and apply to current events.
- Utilize investigative methods and appropriate technologies to access research relevant to comparative politics.
Course Objectives
- 1. Identify the role of the state.
- 2. Evaluate the methods of comparative analysis.
- 3. Analyze political systems by using the comparative method.
- 4. Examine the functions of government and institutions in various regime types.
- 5. Explain the impact of economic, environmental, historical, cultural, and regional factors on political behavior and institutions.
- 6. Compare political systems, both in theory and with actual country examples.
- 7. Analyze key issues in comparative politics, such as democratization, development, and nation/state building.
Lecture Content
Introduction to Social Science Research. Goals of scientific inquiry. The logic and sequence of the scientific world. Ethical considerations in conducting research. The relationship between social science theory and research. Basic versus applied research. Qualitative and quantitative social research approaches. Empirical research and non-empirical research. Cross-sectional and longitudinal studies. Social sciences and the use of the scientific method. Identifying the topic and specifying the research question (hypothesis). Deciding the best methodology for obtaining research and data. Finding reliable sources. Evaluating research for implicit and explicit biases, reliability, and validity. Applying research to the research question. Nullifying the hypothesis. Publishing the results. Introduction to Comparative Politics. Discuss political science as a discipline and comparative politics as a concentration within the discipline. Key concepts and general theory. Define key terms, including the state, nation, nation-state building, government, and power. Discuss regime types. Discuss political structures (i.e., legislative, executive, judicial). Survey political thought. Origins of government. Use and legitimacy of power. Relationship between people and government. Comparative politics. Identify actual country examples of each regime type in terms of institutions, political culture, historical/cultural context, and role of the people. Discuss different regime types and their resulting institutions in political systems. Identify examples of different structural and institutional arrang ements and processes. Discuss different arrangements and processes and their resulting decision-making, functionality, and adaptability. Discuss contemporary theory regarding the stability of regimes and transitions from one regime type to another. Define development. Discuss the role of the state and popular participation in political and economic development. Distinguish between different types of economic systems and the relationship to the state. Identify examples of different economic/political relationships. Distinguish between secular and non-secular arrangements. Identify examples of secular and non-secular arrangements. Examine the relationship between the political and the economic, cultural/social, and religious institutions. Examine contemporary comparative theory relative to Nation-state building. Democratization. Development. Applied Comparative Analysis: Case Studies. Discuss the challenges faced by political scientists when conducting a comparative analysis. Identify countries that have diverse historical, regional, cultural, political, environment, and economic elements. Analyze selected countries utilizing key concepts and theories learned in this course. Compare and contrast the success and challenges facing selected countries in relation to current issues; issues may include but are not limited to Political stability and regime change. Democratization. Economic and social development. Security. Consider the future of selected countries in relation to various factors, including but not limited to the environment (climate change), globalization, and technological advancements.
Method(s) of Instruction
- Lecture (02)
- DE Live Online Lecture (02S)
- DE Online Lecture (02X)
Reading Assignments
Complete reading assignments in the assigned text(s). Complete required online reading assignments from a variety of scholarly websites, databases, and journals.
Writing Assignments
Essay exams that identify key concepts and/or examine key issues. Written essays or other projects (i.e., interactive assignments, debates) in which students will analyze comparative theory and/or studies. Written essays or other projects (i.e., interactive assignments, debates, term papers) in which students will analyze major theoretical arguments, opposing viewpoints, and factual information (data). Written essays or other projects (i.e., interactive assignments) in which students will apply theory to real life examples. Research papers that provide a comparative analysis of two or more countries.
Out-of-class Assignments
Research utilizing scholarly journals, books, articles, and online resources/databases. Participation in discussions, presentations, and debates regarding relevant issues.
Demonstration of Critical Thinking
Critically evaluate comparative theory and methodology and their effectiveness in relation to political issues. Research and analyze various articles and factual data and apply a comparative analysis to case studies.
Required Writing, Problem Solving, Skills Demonstration
Written essays, exams and/or term papers using comparative methodology and data to analyze different countries institutional arrangements, policy, stability, and level of development. Written exams, essays and/or papers evaluating and applying theoretical paradigms to cross country analysis. In-class and/or online discussions presenting findings.
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 H.. Essentials of Comparative Politics Fifth Edition, 7th ed. Norton Publishing, 2023 2. Required Samuels, David J.. Comparative Politics, 2nd ed. Pearson Publishing, 2021 3. Required Roskin, Michael G.. Countries and Concepts: Politics, Geography and Culture, 13th ed. Pearson, 2021 4. Required Kesselman, Mark, et al.. Introduction to Comparative Politics: Political Challenges and Changing Agendas, 8th ed. Cengage, 2020 5. Required Orvis, Stephan, Carol Ann Drogus. Introducing Comparative Politics: Concepts and Cases in Context, 5th ed. CQ Press, 2020