Winthrop University

Comparative Politics (PLSC 207)

Fall 2007

Mon 6:30-9:15pm

Kin 201

Professor: Katarina Moyon

Office: Bancroft 343

Office Hours: Monday 9:15-10:00pm (Kin 201) or by appointment

Phone: cell phone: 803-280-0915 or office x4584

Email: moyonk@winthrop.edu

Required Text

Sodaro, Michael J. Comparative Politics A Global Introduction. Third edition. 2008.

Some weeks you will be assigned articles that can be accessed via internet through the Winthrop library website.

Additionally, you will be required to monitor the news media for stories relating to the topics we are discussing in class.

Course Description

Comparative Politics is the study of political processes and institutions within countries. Comparativists examine modern political systems, differentiating them with questions such as: Why are some countries authoritarian and some countries democratic? How do institutions (bureaucracy, election code, presidential powers, etc) affect political development? We will examine these questions with a focus on democratization (or lack thereof) in a number of countries around the world.

The course will be a combination of theoretical concepts governing the study of comparative politics and a look at specific countries as examples.

Course Objectives

By the end of the semester students should be able to compare countries and understand why policies vary. Students should have a specific understanding of what helps or hinders democratic growth.

After completing this course, students should be able to: (1) understand various aspects of the political, cultural, and economic development of countries from around the world; (2) use basic concepts of comparative politics as tools to describe, explain, and even predict the political realities of our world; (3) know how to conduct research on international topics using multiple resources; and (4) successfully complete a research paper. These objectives meet the following Winthrop General Education goals: 1.1, 4.2, 4.3, 7.2, 7.4, 7.5.

Grading Policy:

There is no curve in this class. To earn an A you must earn 90% of possible points or higher; B is 80-89%; C is 70-79%; D is 60-69%; F is 59% and below. Your course grade will be based on the following:

Class participation/Attendance 10%

Quizzes 10%

Midterm exam 20%

Country Case Study Fact Sheet 10%

Country Case Study Research Paper 20%

Research paper presentation 10%

Comprehensive final exam 20%

TOTAL 100%

Class participation/Attendance

Attending class and being engaged in discussions is an important part of this course. It will help you to fulfill the course objectives. You are expected to come to class prepared to discuss the day’s reading. You are expected to attend all classes. Your class participation grade is based on attendance; attention to lectures; and your discussion and participation in class. Class participation points will be based on both the quality and quantity of your contributions throughout the semester.

Quizzes

There will be a series of unannounced quizzes throughout the semester. They cover the assigned readings for that week and past assigned readings. The format of quizzes will be true-false, multiple choice and short answer. No make-up quizzes will be given.

Mid-Term Exam/Final Exam

The mid-term exam and final exam will include questions from the reading assignments, as well as quizzes, class discussions and lectures. Anything we discuss in class could be on the exams. They will be a combination of multiple choice, short answer and essay.

The final exam will be cumulative. It will include questions from the mid-term exam, as well as new questions from reading assignments, class discussions and lectures.

You are responsible for attending class to find out when examinations will be. If you are late for an examination, you will nevertheless be expected to turn it in at the end of the allotted time.

Make-up examinations will only be approved when you have a documented reason for missing the exam. You must notify me prior to the exam. Unchangeable, documented circumstances are the only acceptable reasons for missing the exam. If you get a note from a doctor (or student health services) it must state your condition and that you were so ill at the time of the exam that you could not attend. Not being prepared for an exam is not an acceptable excuse. All make-up exams will be essay exams.

Country Fact Sheet

This 2-page paper is due September 24. Please see “Country Fact Sheet” handout for all content requirements.

Country Case Study Research Paper

A research paper of 5-7 pages will be due November 5. This paper will involve the application of a theory learned in class to your choice of one less developed country that we did not cover in the course. Please see the “Country Case Study Research Paper” handout for further details.

You must submit a hard copy of the paper to me by November 5, as well as an electronic version to www.turnitin.com.

Research Paper Presentation

You will sign up for a date and time to give a 5-minute presentation on your research paper to the class. It will be followed by a 2-minute question and answer period. You should introduce your country (and its system of government), describe your thesis and describe the outcomes of your thesis.

We will only be doing presentations for two days. It may be impossible to change the day of your news presentation. If you do not do this assignment you will get a zero on it. If you have an unchangeable, documented circumstance, you must contact me before your assigned date.

Students with Disabilities:

Winthrop University is dedicated to providing access to education.  If you have a disability and need classroom accommodations, please contact Gena Smith, Coordinator, Services for Students with Disabilities, at 323-3290, as soon as possible.  Once you have your Professor Notification Form, please tell me so that I am aware of your accommodations well before the first assignment.

Academic Integrity:

I have a zero tolerance policy for cheating and plagiarism. Winthrop’s policy on academic misconduct will be strictly enforced. It is your responsibility to understand and adhere to this policy. It is located in the Student Handbook. Please raise questions you have about application of this policy before submitting the work in question. You will earn zero points on an exam, quiz or paper if you cheat and you will be reported to the Dean of Students.

Classroom Etiquette

Please arrive to class on time. Points will be deducted from your class participation grade if you are late. Please remain for the entire session unless excused by me beforehand or if confronted with a serious personal emergency.

Please turn off all cell phones and pagers before class starts. During class no one should talk while someone else is talking; this includes comments meant for a classmate rather than the entire group. Overall, classroom dialogue and behavior should always be courteous, respectful of others, and consistent with the expectations set forth by the university.

COURSE CALENDAR

You are required to complete all assigned readings before the start of class in order to facilitate discussion on the topics. All readings listed below are required.

This calendar is subject to change during the semester. I will provide any information on changes during class. It is your responsibility to keep track of this information.

DATE	TOPIC	Assignment to finish before class
Mon Aug 27	Introduction/Course Description Discuss Chapter 1: What is Comparative Politics Discuss the “Five Wars of Globalization”
Mon Sep 3	Understanding the field of Comparative Politics Discuss Major Topics of Comparative Politics Discuss Critical Thinking about Politics Discuss Research Paper	Review chapter 1 Sodaro Read chapters 2,3 Sodaro Review syllabus, handouts
Mon Sep 10	Political Behavior Discuss Power Discuss Ideology ** Make Research Paper Country Selection**	Research your country selection Read chapters 4,13 Sodaro
Mon Sep 17	States and Nations Discuss the state and its institutions Discuss nations and nationalism	Read chapters 5, 6 Sodaro
Mon Sep 24	Democracy Discuss Democracy Discuss Democratic Institutions Country Exercise **Country Fact Sheet Due**	Read chapters 7,8 Sodaro

Mon Oct 1	Conditions for Democracy Discuss Democracy’s ten conditions Discuss Afghanistan and Iraq Discuss article “How to Wage Peace” Review for Midterm Exam	Read chapter 9,10 Sodaro Read “How to Wage the Peace,” by Fareed Zakaria, Newsweek, April 21, 2003, U.S. Edition.
Mon Oct 8	MIDTERM EXAM	Study for Midterm Exam
Mon Oct 15	NO CLASS- Fall Break
Mon Oct 22	Political Culture Discuss political culture Discuss Germany Discuss “Clash of Civilizations” article	Read chapters 12, 18 Sodaro Read “The Clash of Civilizations,” by Samuel P. Huntington, Foreign Affairs, v72, n.3 (Summer 1993): pp 22-28.
Mon Oct 29	Political Economy Discuss political economy Discuss Russia	Read chapters 14, 20 Sodaro
Mon Nov 5	People and Politics Discuss political participation Discuss dissent and revolution Discuss China Watch part of Frontline video on China http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/tankman/view/ **Country Case Study Papers due**	Read chapters 11, 21 Sodaro
Mon Nov 12	Developed Countries Discuss UK Discuss France	Read chapters 16, 17 Sodaro

Mon Nov 19	Politics of Development Discuss developing countries Discuss Nigeria and South Africa	Read chapters 15, 23 Sodaro
Mon Nov 26	Begin paper presentations	Take notes!
Mon Dec 3	Continue paper presentations Final Exam Review (last class)	Take notes!
Mon Dec 10? 6:30pm	Final Exam	Study for final