COMPARATIVE POLITICS ● POLS-1611 ● FALL 2012
Tuesdays, Thursdays
Instructor: Prof. Alexandra Hennessy
Office: Jubilee Hall 519
Phone: (973)761-9000 Ext. 5393
Email: alexandra.hennessy@shu.edu
Office hours: Tuesdays, Thursdays 9-9:45 a.m., and 11:40-12:45 p.m.
Course description
This class is an introduction to the study of politics in cross-national perspective. It is organized around
three big puzzles in the real world that call for some kind of explanation: why are some regimes
democratic while others are not; how can citizens control public policies; and why do the same political
structures perform diverse functions in different countries. We explain phenomena such as the
transition to democracy, levels of social inequality, voting behavior, and outbursts of political unrest as
consequences of institutions, economic interests, culture, and human choices. We will evaluate theories
of comparative politics, both through theoretical readings and by seeing how they play out in African
regions (Rwanda, Nigeria, Congo), European democracies (Germany, Britain, France), communist and
post-communist/ authoritarian countries (China, Russia) and in the Middle East (Iraq, Iran, Egypt).
Required Readings
1) Books (available in the book store):
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Patrick H. O’Neil and Ronald Rogowsi (2010), Essential Readings in Comparative Politics. Second
Edition. (hereinafter ONR).
Charles Hauss (2009), Comparative Politics. Domestic Responses to Global Challenges. 7th
Edition. (hereinafter Hauss).
Gerald Graff and Cathy Birkenstein (2006), They Say, I Say. The moves that matter in academic
writing.
2) Newspapers
I recommend that you read the international sections of at least one of the following newspapers: the
New York Times, Christian Science Monitor, Financial Times, the Economist. These newspapers will
serve as the basis for current events class discussions. You may read newspapers on the web
(nytimes.com, csmonitor.com, ft.com, economist.com) or have the papers delivered to your
dorm/home. Because our discussions will aim to apply concepts and theories to the international news,
it is important not to fall behind on world events.
3) Other required readings are available on blackboard or will be distributed in class.
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Course requirements
1. Pop-quizzes
A series of unannounced quizzes or homework assignments on the day’s assigned readings;
approximately 8-9 quizzes altogether. Students are allowed to drop one (1) quiz score. Students who
miss a quiz may request to take a makeup exam during the professor’s office hours within one week of
the exam date. Such an exam will be scored out of a total of 80 points maximum (thus there is a 20 point
deduction immediately for taking a makeup exam). There will be no exceptions to this makeup exam
policy.
2. Midterm exam
If you miss the midterm exam, you must make it up within one week. Failure to take the midterm exam
within the specified period will result in a failing grade for the entire class, not just this assignment.
3. Final paper
You will write a 10 page paper (double-spaced, 12 pt. font) on a topic based on the course readings
assigned for class. Your assignment is to accept or reject theoretical assertions in the literature and be
able to articulate your reasons for doing so. You will construct an argument of your own and marshal
evidence to support it. You’ll have to focus on the analytical, not normative aspects of the question you
choose. Please note that I will have to approve your paper topic before you start writing. The paper
must be uploaded to SafeAssign (blackboard) on or before the due date. Papers not uploaded to
SafeAssign will not be accepted. Any paper turned in after its deadline will be marked down each day by
which it is late (B becomes B- after one day, C+ after two days, F after three days). Failure to submit a
final paper will result in a failing grade for the entire class, not just this assignment.
4. Group presentation
Early in the semester you will be divided into groups. These groups will be responsible for running the
class discussion. Excellent presenters will not just summarize the readings, but criticize the argument
and research design, apply theoretical concepts to real world/ current events, and inspire the class to
discuss interesting questions. On the day your group is to present, the speakers should arrive a few
minutes early to set up their power point slides. The slides will be made available for the whole class on
blackboard. Presenters should speak for about 25 minutes and allow approximately 10 minutes for class
discussion. You must be in class to deliver your presentation; no make-ups allowed. Failure to show up
for the group presentation will result in a failing grade for the entire class, not just the presentation.
5. Contributions to in-class dialogue
Students are expected to attend all class sessions and read the assigned articles before class. Your
participation grade is a function of contributions to class discussions. This means that students who
always attend but never contribute to in-class dialogue will receive a low participation grade. Students
are strongly encouraged to raise questions as they occur to them. If you are puzzled or unsure about
something, chances are that other members of the class are, too! Asking questions is a crucial and
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essential feature of a good class. If you already knew the answers, you wouldn’t need to take the class.
Asking questions is not an admission of ignorance, it is an attack on it!
Grading
Quizzes, homework assignments: 35%
Midterm exam: 25%
Paper: 20%
Group presentation: 10%
Class participation: 10%
Paper grades
A
Distinguished Work. Distinguished work requires a demonstrated mastery of course concepts
with some original analysis. The paper is error free (proper punctuation, spelling, grammar,
sentence structure), and demonstrates logical organization, proper documentation and
appropriate supporting evidence.
B
Superior Work. Written work evidences a thorough review and mastery of course materials and
appropriate critical analysis. The paper is error free (proper punctuation, spelling, grammar,
sentence structure), and demonstrates logical organization, proper documentation and
appropriate supporting evidence.
C
Average Work. The student satisfies requirements appropriate to the grade level, demonstrating
minimum mastery of material with limited integration, application, and analysis. The paper
contains punctuation, spelling, or grammatical errors.
D
Unsatisfactory work. The student satisfies some minimum requirements, but does not display
adequate mastery of the material. The paper contains excessive errors.
F
Failure. The student does not meet minimum requirements.
Attendance
Absences are excused when there is, in my judgment, a valid reason. If you are ill, you will need a
medical professional’s written excuse for two or more consecutive absences. If you are absent because
of a University approved function, you will need a written statement. Merely informing me of your
absence does not make it excused. Please note that students excessively absent will be required to
withdraw from the course without credit. Absences will measurably affect your grade. If you miss a
class, you are responsible for the material we covered during that class. This is the case no matter the
reason for the absence.
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Accommodation
To request accommodations or assistance, please self-identify with the Office for Disability Support
Services (DSS), Duffy Hall, Room 67, at the beginning of the semester. To register for services, contact
DSS at (973) 313-6003 or by e-mail at DSS@shu.edu. Please understand that I am neither qualified nor
allowed to make these decisions unilaterally.
Academic honesty
Anyone who plagiarizes or cheats in any way in this class will fail the entire class and be reported to the
appropriate authorities for further disciplinary action. The department of Political Science & Public
Affairs has clear guidelines regarding plagiarism and cheating:
http://www.shu.edu/academics/artsci/political-science-public-affairs/academic-integrity-policy.cfm. It
is the student’s responsibility to be familiar with these guidelines.
Class Etiquette
I am very appreciative of Seton Hall’s laptop and smartphone initiatives, but I insist on your undivided
attention during class. Therefore, I do not permit laptops or tablet computers (e.g. ipads, kindles) in
class. Also, phones must be turned off at all times.
Course Plan
Please note: This class schedule is subject to change. Changes will be announced in class or via email.
It is the student’s responsibility to be aware of any changes to the class schedule or content.
Theories in Comparative Politics
Tue 8/28: Introduction to the course.
Th 8/30: Lichbach & Zuckerman, Research traditions and theory in comparative politics (ONR). Henry
Teune, The Logic of Comparative Social Inquiry (blackboard).
Tue 9/4: Peter Beinart, Why Washington is tied up in knots, In: time magazine 18/02/2010 (blackboard).
Anthony Downs, An Economic Theory of Democracy (blackboard).
Th 9/6: Robert Putnam, Tuning in, tuning out: the strange disappearance of social capital in America;
Bryan Caplan, The myth of rational voter: why democracies choose bad policies (both in ONR).
Tue 9/11: Larry Diamond, The Resurgence of the Predatory State (ONR); Philippe Schmitter and Terry
Karl, What democracy is… and is not (ONR)
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Africa
Th 9/13: The less developed countries (whole chapter, in Hauss), p. 297-324.
Tue 9/18: Gerard Prunier (2009), Africa’s World War. Introduction & Rwanda’s mixed season of hope
(on blackboard).
Th 9/20: Martin Meredith, The Great Plunderer: Mobutu’s Zaire during the Cold War (on blackboard).
Tue 9/25: Nigeria (whole chapter, in Hauss).
Th 9/27: Samantha Power, Never Again: The world’s most unfulfilled promise (blackboard).
The Advanced Industrial Democracies
Tue 10/2: Knut Borchardt, Constraints and room for maneuver in the great depression of the early
thirties: towards a revision of the received historical picture (blackboard).
Th 10/4: Germany (whole chapter, in Hauss).
Tue 10/9: FALL BREAK, no class.
Th 10/11: France (whole chapter, in Hauss).
Tue 10/16: Midterm exam.
Th 10/18: Britain (whole chapter, in Hauss).
Post-communist/ authoritarian regimes
Tue 10/23: Russia (in Hauss).
Th 10/25: Russia (in Hauss).
Tue 10/30: China (in Hauss).
Th 11/1: China (in Hauss).
The Islamic world
Tue 11/6: Fareed Zakaria, Islam, Democracy and Constitutional Liberalism; Sheri Berman, Islamism,
Revolution, and Civil Society (both in ONR).
Th 11/8: Graff and Birkenstein, They Say/ I Say. The moves that matter in academic writing. Entire book.
Tue 11/13: Short presentations of student paper ideas.
Th 11/15: Brendan Daly (2012), Regime change in Iran? On blackboard.
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Tue 11/20: Iran (whole chapter, in Hauss).
Th 11/22: Thanksgiving recess.
Tue 11/27: Steven Fish, Islam and Authoritarianism; Michael Ross, Oil, Islam and Women (both on
blackboard).
Th 11/29: Iraq (whole chapter, in Hauss).
Tue 12/4: Arendt Lijphart, Constitutional choices for new democracies (in ONR); Nagl and Burton, the
Way Forward in Iraq (blackboard).
Th 12/6: Conclusion, wrap-up.
Final papers are due on December 12, 4 pm. Please upload the paper to SafeAssign and slide a hard
copy under my office door (519 Jubilee Hall).
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