Spring 2010: PS 210 Introduction to Comparative Politics
Class: TTH 9:30-10:45am/ Whitehall Classroom Bldg. Rom. 331
Office Hours: Thursdays 10:45am-12:00pm, POT 1602
Email: sle223@uky.edu
Course Description
This course is designed to offer a broad overview of the study of comparative politics. In particular, adopting a cross-national comparison approach, the course aims to show systematic relationships between variables that are salient in the study of comparative politics. The first part of the course deals with questions in regard to subjects and methods of comparative politics. The second part compares dictatorship and democracy, examining democratic transition process and determinants of democracy. The last part of the course introduces a variety of forms of democracies and compares their advantages and disadvantages.
Please note that although the course is an introduction to comparative politics, this does not mean that this course will be easy. Rather, introduction here means that this course will help you gain knowledge and tools that are fundamental in examining subjects in comparative politics. Many concepts and methods introduced in the course will NOT be easy. Some of them are more complicated than those dealt with in upper level classes.
Course Objectives
- To make you knowledgeable about general concepts and methods in comparative politics
- To help you understand differences between dictatorship and democracy
- To familiarize you with a variety of democratic systems and their advantages and disadvantages
Course Requirements
- Readings: You are expected to read the assigned material before coming to class and be prepared to discuss it and share it with other classmates. An ideal class is not where students are lectured for 75 minutes twice a week, but where students share their opinion/thought with the class with only periodic guidance from the instructor. Thus, readings are very important parts of the course; you are expected to do the readings for each class, regardless of whether or not I check individually to see if you have completed them.
- Attendance: Attendance will be taken for each class period. You are allowed to miss up to three classes without being penalized. We have 22 classes scheduled after January 20 (the last day to add a class). If you attend all 22 classes, your attendance point will be (22χ19=1.158). That is, you will have earned roughly 116% of the grade portion allocated to Attendance. Thus, there will be NO makeup opportunity given for either excused or unexcused absence for regular class attendance. You have more than 3 classes including two class sessions before January 20 which you can miss without penalty. Use them sparingly. No exception.
- Exams: Three exams will be given during the course of the semester and a cumulative final exam given during exam week. All exams will consist of multiple-choice questions only. I will provide the examination paper and bubble sheets, but it is your responsibility to bring #2 pencils with an eraser to each exam.
- Make-Up Exam: If you miss an exam with an unexcused absence, you will receive a zero for the exam. If the absence is an excused absence defined by the University, you may be given a makeup exam.
- If the absence is due to a foreseen reason, you should provide me written verification at least one week before the scheduled exam; that is, you must secure permission to miss an exam before the scheduled exam.
- If the absence is due to an unforeseen reason, you must contact me ASAP following the exam, but no later than one week following the missed exam. There will be no exception given in any event.
- I reserve the right to require documentation for any excused absence. It is your responsibility to notify me before any absence if possible, but no later than one week following the absence in any case. It is also your responsibility to provide me with proper documentation and notification in all cases.
- All makeup exams for the semester will be held on the final day of classes (April 29) during our regularly scheduled class period in our regular classroom. There will be NO alternative times or locations for the makeup exams. There will be NO makeup exam for the final exam. No exception.
Grade Calculation
- Attendance : 10%
- Exam 1 : 20%
- Exam 2 : 20%
- Exam 3 : 20%
- Final Exam : 30%
Total : 100%
I will NEITHER calculate your point totals for you nor provide your grades by email. So, please do not ask. It is your responsibility to keep up with your own point totals throughout the semester. Ideally, within a week after the exam period, your score will be posted at blackboard. Again, I will NOT provide exam grades by email.
Plagiarism and Cheating
Plagiarism or cheating will NOT be tolerated. If plagiarism or cheating is found to occur, it will be dealt with according to University Senate Rule 6.4. DISPOSITION OF CASES OF ACADEMIC OFFENSES.
Classroom and Learning Accommodations
If any student with a disability needs classroom or exam accommodations, please contact Ms. Lindsay Jansen (lbstew2@email.uky.edu) at the Disability Resource Center on campus.
Required Texts
The following book is required for this course:
- Clark, William Roberts, Matt Golder, and Sona Nadenichek Golder. Principles of Comparative Politics. CQ Press: Washington, D.C. ISBN: 0872892891.
- Some additional readings may be distributed during class.
General Note
The syllabus may be altered throughout the course of the semester based on need as well as design. All changes will be announced during class periods, so make sure to come to class.
Course Schedule
- Week 1: January 13-15 Introduction to Course.
Clark, Golder & Golder. 2008. Principles of Comparative Politics, Ch. 1.
- Week 2: January 18-22 What is Science?
Clark, Golder & Golder. 2008. Principles of Comparative Politics, Ch. 2.
- Week 3: January 25-29 What is Politics?
Clark, Golder & Golder. 2008. Principles of Comparative Politics, Ch. 3.
- Week 4: February 1-5 What is the State?
Clark, Golder & Golder. 2008. Principles of Comparative Politics, Ch. 4.
- Week 5: February 8-12 Measuring Democracy.
Clark, Golder & Golder. 2008. Principles of Comparative Politics, Ch. 5.
Exam I: February 11 (Chapters 1 4)
- Week 6: February 15-19 Economic Explanation for Democracy.
Clark, Golder & Golder. 2008. Principles of Comparative Politics, Ch. 6.
- Week 7: February 22-26 Cultural Explanation for Democracy.
Clark, Golder & Golder. 2008. Principles of Comparative Politics, Ch. 7.
- Week 8: March 1-5 Transitions to Democracy
Clark, Golder & Golder. 2008. Principles of Comparative Politics, Ch. 8.
- Week 9: March 8-12 Does democracy make a difference? Selectorate Theory
Clark, Golder & Golder. 2008. Principles of Comparative Politics, Ch. 9.
Exam II: March 11 (Chapters 5 8)
- Spring Break: March 15 19
- Week 10: March 22-26 Group Decision-Making and Democracy.
Clark, Golder & Golder. 2008. Principles of Comparative Politics, Ch. 10.
- Week 11: March 29-April 2 Parliamentary, Presidential, and Mixed Democracies.
Clark, Golder & Golder. 2008. Principles of Comparative Politics, Ch. 11.
- Week 12: April 5-9 Elections and Electoral systems
Clark, Golder & Golder. 2008. Principles of Comparative Politics, Ch. 12.
- Week 13: April 12-16 Social Cleavages and Party Systems
Clark, Golder & Golder. 2008. Principles of Comparative Politics, Ch. 13.
Exam III: April 15 (Chapters 9 12)
- Week 14: April 19-23 Continued: Social Cleavages and Party Systems
Clark, Golder & Golder. 2008. Principles of Comparative Politics, Ch. 13.
No Class on April 22 (Annual Meeting of Midwest Political Science Association)
- Week 15: April 26-30 The Effect of Varieties of Democracy
Clark, Golder & Golder. 2008. Principles of Comparative Politics, Ch. 15.
Makeup Exam: April 29 (No class)
- Final Exam: 8am 10am on May 6, Thursday (Chapters 1 15 except Chapter 14)
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