Introduction to Comparative Government
Eastern Michigan University
Summer 2016
Political Science 211
M/W 10:30 a.m.-1:10 p.m., 419 Pray-Harrold
Professor Ebrahim K. Soltani
602E Pray-Harrold
ekhalife@emich.edu
Office Hours: M/W 9:30-10:30 a.m. & by Appointment
Course Description
In the past few decades, the world has experienced an important transformation.
Modernization, democratization, and globalization are considered among the most
important forces behind this fundamental transformation. A key factor in these changes is
the government structure, which is the main focus of this course. Comparative politics, as
a subfield of political science, examines different government structures and institutions
in a comparative fashion. Comparative politics is an attempt to answer difficult and
interesting comparative questions such as: Why are some countries democratic and others
not? Why do countries have different institutions and forms of government? Why do
some countries develop strong sense of statehood and nationhood and others not? Why
do countries go to war or establish peace?
This course is an introduction to the comparative politics and designed to be accessible to
students with no prior knowledge of political science, in general, and comparative
politics, in particular. Students will examine key theoretical concepts, comparative
methods, and political systems. By the end of the semester, you will have a deeper
understanding of comparative political analysis, institutions of different types of
government, the comparative international nexus, and some of the main international
political challenges.
Course Requirements
Attendance: You are expected to attend each class and arrive on time. Attendance is
essential for success in this class and is mandatory. Lectures will critically reinforce and
supplement readings. I take attendance at the beginning of each class. If you miss a class
session, then your final grade will be penalized. However, this penalty will be waived, if
you write an adequate one page response to the assigned reading for the class session you
missed and submit this response by the next class session.
Please take note of these policies:
 Turn off your Cell Phones. The professor reserves the right to ask students whose
cell phones ring or who are texting to leave the class.
 Laptops may only be used in class for note taking.
 The professor reserves the right to not admit students coming late to the class.
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Participation: You are expected to read all of the materials assigned for this course. I
intend to devote a significant portion of class time to discussing the assigned texts, and
expect active participation from all students. This includes listening carefully to other
students when they are speaking.
Mid-term Exam: There will be an in-class midterm exam on May 25.
Research Paper: You are expected to write one 4-5 pages (1400-1550 words) paper
about the main themes examined in the course. The choice of subject for the paper should
be first discussed in individual discussions with the instructor. Your paper question is due
on June 1 and the paper is due on June 22. Further guidelines on how to write an
academic essay will be provided in class.
Final Exam: You will have a final exam on June 22.

Late work will be reduced one letter grade per day, and missed exams or quizzes
will receive a zero, unless there is a legitimate documented excuse. It is your
responsibility to notify me before the assignment due date or scheduled date of
the exam.
Grading Criteria
Assignment
Attendance
Participation
Midterm Exam
Final Exam
Research Paper
When
All the time
All the time
May 25
June 22
June 22
Percentage
10%
10%
30%
30%
20%
Required Text
It is essential that you complete all assigned readings before the class period for which
they are assigned. The required text for the course is listed below and is available at any
of the bookstores that serve the EMU campus, or through online booksellers:
1. Comparative Politics: Integrating Theories, Methods, and Cases, J. Tyler Dickovick,
Jonathan Eastwood, 2016, Oxford University Press.
Academic Dishonesty
The EMU Code of Student Conduct forbids plagiarism. Students should be familiar with
the Code: http://www.emich.edu/policies/policy.php?id=124. Any assignment that is
plagiarized will receive a score of zero, and may be referred to the EMU Office of
Student Conduct. Similarly, cheating on exams is forbidden and will also result in a zero
score on the exam. For more detailed information on what plagiarism is and how to avoid
it, see: http://www.emich.edu/library/help/integratingsources.php
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Topics and Assignments
Introduction
May 4
 Syllabus
 Introduction: Politics? Political Science? Comparative Politics?
Comparative Political Analysis
May 9
 Comparative Politics, Chapters 1 & 2
The Modern State
May 11
 Comparative Politics, Chapter 3
 Case Study: United Kingdom
Political Economy and Development
May 16
 Comparative Politics, Chapters 4 & 5
 Case Studies: Japan, China
Democracy and Democratization
May 18
 Comparative Politics, Chapter 6
 Case Studies: United States, Iran

Authoritarian Regimes and Democratic Breakdown
May 23
 Comparative Politics, Chapter 7
 Case Studies: Saudi Arabia
May 25
 Mid-Term Exam
May 30
 Memorial Day: No Class
Constitutions and Constitutional Design
June 1
 Comparative Politics, Chapter 8
 Case Studies: United States, United Kingdom
 Research Question/Draft is due
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Legislatures and Executives
June 6
 Comparative Politics, Chapter 9 & 10
 Case Studies: United States
Revolutions and Contention
June 8
 Comparative Politics, Chapter 12
 Case Studies: China, Iran
Nationalism and National Identity
June 13
 Comparative Politics, Chapter 13
 Case Studies: Germany
Race, Ethnicity and Gender
June 15
 Comparative Politics, Chapter 14
 Case Studies: Iran, United States
Ideology and Religion in Modern Politics
June 20
 Comparative Politics, Chapter 15
 Case Studies: Turkey, France
June 22
 Final Exam
 Research Paper
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