Political Science 15-POL-160-001



Political Science 15-POL-160-001 Tue and Thu 9:30-10:45

Autumn 2011 Rec Center 3230

Professor Laura Dudley Jenkins Office Hours: Tue and Thu 11-12

Office: 1114 Crosley Tower or by appointment

E-mail: Laura.Jenkins@uc.edu Phone/voice mail: 556-3308



INTRODUCTION TO COMPARATIVE GOVERNMENT

Course Description and Learning Objectives:

This course will introduce the diverse forms of government and politics around the world through an examination of six countries (UK, India, Russia, Mexico, South Africa, and Iran) in comparative perspective. This is a particularly fascinating time to study international politics due to ongoing processes of globalization and democratization. While globalization seems to be bringing the world closer together, the rise of identity politics creates new challenges, sometimes tearing countries apart. These contemporary trends provide the three themes that will structure our comparisons. At the subnational level, we will focus on identity politics. At the national level, we will compare democratic institutions in different countries. At the international level, we will explore the implications of globalization for current politics. The course will allow students to develop the background and conceptual tools necessary to analyze politics and current events in many parts of the world.

This course introduces fundamentals of comparative government institutions and political processes. Students will learn to compare and contrast politics in a diverse range of countries and cultures.  Readings deal with concepts, structures, theories and processes of governance in states with different political systems.

By the end of the course, students should be able to:

1. identify and understand structural differences among political systems (i.e. parliamentary, presidential, etc.) and the way that various cultures around the world influence the structure and operation of government;

2. compare and contrast democracy vs. authoritarian systems and ideology; and

3. reflect on regional differences in political and economic development.

Requirements:

I. Readings

Students are expected to read the assigned readings before class and come prepared with questions and comments.

Required Text:

Mark Kesselman et al. Introduction to Comparative Politics, Brief Edition. Wadswoth, Cengage Learning, 2009.

ISBN-13: 978-0-618-86683-0 or

ISBN-10: 0-618-86683-3

The textbook is available at the UC Bookstore and online (in electronic or paper form, for rent or for sale). Be sure you are getting the correct edition (check date and ISBN). You can get the first chapter for free and order or rent the book (or e-book) directly from the publisher at the following website:

Used copies should be available online. The text also can be borrowed from the Langsam Library reserve section for 2 hours at a time.

Other assigned readings (mostly current events articles) will be posted on blackboard throughout the quarter.

Students are also expected to regularly read a newspaper, newsmagazine, or website with substantial international news coverage (such as the New York Times, Financial Times, Washington Post, or Economist). International newspapers are in the Langsam Library periodicals section or on Lexis Nexis, available through the Langsam webpage. Students could also listen to “Morning Edition” or “All Things Considered” on public radio, or watch the PBS News Hour (also available online).

II. Quizzes: Attendance and Preparation

Attendance and preparation will be measured by approximately 8-10 unannounced quizzes related to that day’s readings. Poor attendance and/or inability to answer questions about the readings will hurt your final grade and can be grounds for failure. Preparation and participation in class discussions can help your grade.

III. Midterm and Final

There will be a midterm and a final covering readings, lectures, and class discussions as well as any guest lectures or films. The midterm will be multiple choice questions (bring number 2 pencils), and the final will be multiple choice plus an essay exam (bring blue books and pens). The following online pamphlet offers general advice on taking an essay exam.

Midterm: Tues Oct 25, during class, in our classroom

Final Exam: Thu Dec 8, 8-10 am, in our classroom

IV. Constitution Activity and Constitution Essay for Final Exam

Drawing on all of the country case studies and a week of in-class small group discussions and writing, student groups will make proposals for a new constitution for one of the countries covered in class, focusing on democratic institutions, electoral systems and identity accommodation. The constitutional proposals, written in class and posted to Blackboard, will count as 3 quizzes. Your individual essay for the final exam will analyze and explain some of your constitutional recommendations and the reasoning behind them, drawing on knowledge of the institutions and politics of the countries studied in this class. Missing class during the Constitution Activity will cause you to lose points toward the quiz/constitution portion of your grade as well as make it difficult to write your essay on the final exam.

Grades will be determined on the following basis:

Constitution proposals and quizzes 1/3 of final grade

Midterm 1/3 of final grade

Final Exam 1/3 of final grade

Be aware of the withdrawal deadlines. There will be no makeup exams. If there are extraordinary (medical) circumstances and arrangements are made with the professor prior to the exam, an alternative test may be given to compensate for that portion of the grade. This syllabus is subject to modification.

Some of the topics covered are controversial and can evoke strong opinions. In this class all points of view will be listened to and respectfully considered.

The University Rules, including the Student Code of Conduct, and other documented policies of the department, college, and university related to academic integrity will be enforced. Any violation of these regulations, including acts of plagiarism or cheating, will be dealt with on an individual basis according to the severity of the misconduct. It is each student's responsibility to know and comply with the Student Code of Conduct, which defines behavior expected of all University of Cincinnati students and behavior considered misconduct. Sanctions and penalties are outlined. The Code of Conduct is available in the college office and online at

Definitions of cheating, plagiarism, and penalties are in the Code of Conduct. The definition of plagiarism includes, but is not limited to: copying another student's work, copying materials without proper citation, paraphrasing without proper citation and failing to cite all sources used and/or consulted. Examples and guidance can be reviewed at the following site: :

If you have any special needs related to your participation in this course, including identified visual impairment, hearing impairment, physical impairment, communication disorder, and/or specific learning disability that may influence your performance in this course, you should meet with the instructor to arrange for reasonable provisions to ensure an equitable opportunity to meet all requirements of this course. At the discretion of the instructor, some accommodations may require prior approval by Disability Services.

A learning resource for students is the Learning Assistance Center, which offers free online and in person instruction on topics such as study skills, note taking, time management, and test preparation. See

Such workshops can be useful for students in this class, but they should not substitute for coming to the professor to discuss the class content or any questions. I am happy to make appointments with students if office hours are inconvenient.

Schedule of Topics and Required Readings

(K=Kesselman text, BB=check for current events or poli sci article on blackboard )

Comparing Democracies, Identity Politics and Globalization

Thu Sept 22 Introduction to course and Democratic Institutions

Tues Sept 27 Introduction to Identity Politics K ch 1

Thu Sept 29 Introduction to Globalization BB

UK

Tues Oct 4 K ch 2

Thu Oct 6 Browse EU website

India

Tues Oct 11 K ch 4

Thu Oct 13 BB

Russia

Tue Oct 18 K ch 5

Thu Oct 20 BB

Tues Oct 25 Midterm exam, in class, bring #2 pencils

Mexico

Thu Oct 27 K ch 6

Tues Nov 1 BB

South Africa

Thu Nov 3 K ch 7

Tues Nov 8 BB (election day!) electoral system simulation in class

Iran

Thu Nov 10 K ch 8

Tues Nov 15 BB

China

Thu Nov 17 K ch 9

Constitution Activity/Review and knowledge integration

Bring texts and your notes to class to use for reference.

Tues Nov 22 Constitution Activity Day 1: democratic structures

Thu Nov 24 Thanksgiving - UC Closed

Tue Nov 29 Constitution Activity Day 2: electoral systems

Thu Dec 2 Constitution Activity Day 3: identity politics and policies

Final Exam Thu Dec 8, 8-10 am, in our classroom. Bring #2 pencils. Bluebooks will be provided.

................
................

In order to avoid copyright disputes, this page is only a partial summary.

Google Online Preview   Download