San José State University
Department of Political Science
Pols 2: Introduction to Comparative Politics, Spring 2016
Course and Contact Information
Instructor:
Dr. Sergio Béjar-López
Office Location:
Clark 402F
Telephone:
(408) 924-8330 (during office hours only)
Email:
Sergio.Bejar@sjsu.edu (preferred method of contact)
Office Hours:
TTR 10:30-noon, and by appointment
Class Days/Time:
TTR 9:00-10:15 AM
Classroom:
HGH 116
GE/SJSU Studies Category:
D2
Course Description
This course provides an introduction to fundamental questions and methods of inquiry in
the field of comparative politics. We will explore three fundamental questions: (i) What
explains the constructions and maintenance of political order? (ii) What explains the
extent to which governments faithfully represent voters’ interests? and (iii) What are the
consequences of regime type and government form for human welfare. Using the latest
research in the field of comparative politics, we will examine competing answers to those
substantively important questions and will evaluate the proposed arguments for their
logical consistency and empirical accuracy.
This course satisfies the Comparative Systems, Cultures and Environments general
education requirement (D2). This requirement was meant to ensure that students would
learn how to compare and contrast two or more ethnic groups, cultures, regions, nations
or social systems. We will discuss examples of plenty of examples from both developed
and developing countries with great variation in terms of political and economic
development, as well as geographic, social and cultural factors. By the end of this
course, students should be able to compare types of political systems as well as explain
the effects of non-political factors on their political and economic development.
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Political Science Learning Outcomes
The Political Science Department has the following objectives for its students:
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Breadth: Students should possess a broad knowledge of the theory and
methods of the various branches of the discipline.
Application: Students should be able to apply a variety of techniques to
identify, understand, and analyze domestic and international political
issues and organizations.
Disciplinary methods: Students should be able to formulate research
questions, engage in systematic literature searches using primary and
secondary sources, have competence in systematic data gathering using
library sources, government documents, and data available through
electronic sources, should be able to evaluate research studies, and should
be able to critically analyze and interpret influential political texts.
Communication Skills: Students should master basic competencies in oral
and written communication skills and be able to apply these skills in the
context of political science. This means communicating effectively about
politics and/or public administration, public policy, and law.
Citizenship: Students should acquire an understanding of the role of the
citizen in local, state, national, and global contexts and appreciate the
importance of lifelong participation in political processes.
GE Learning Outcomes (GELO)
This class satisfies the D2 general education requirement (Comparative Systems,
Cultures and Environments). Upon successful completion of this course, students will be
able to:
1) Place contemporary developments in cultural, historical, environmental and
spatial contexts;
2) Identify the dynamics of ethnic, cultural, gender/sexual, age-based, class,
regional, national, transnational, and global identities and the similarities,
differences, linkages, and interactions between them;
3) Evaluate social science information, draw on different points of view, and
formulate applications to appropriate to contemporary social issues;
4) Compare and contrast two or more ethnic groups, cultures, regions, nations, or
social systems.
Students will satisfy these requirements through a combination of class discussion, exams
(short-answer and essay) and written papers.
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Required Texts
We will use a single textbook, which you are required to purchase. I will make additional
reading available to you via the BB page for the class.
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Clark, William, Matthew Golder and Sona Golder. 2012. Principles of
Comparative Politics. Washington D.C.: CQ Press. (Denoted CGG)
Expectations & Course Activities
You are fully responsible for your performance in the course. I expect you to fulfill the
course requirements to the best of your ability. You should come to class prepared to
engage in discussions that will touch on the readings listed in the schedule below. As
such, it is best if you do the reading in the textbook before the dates shown. With much
information conveyed in class it is difficult to receive a good grade should you choose
not to do the readings. Politics is a live field of study, and there will be current
developments that pertain to our readings and discussions, so time will be devoted to
discuss such events.
Attendance
Attendance and punctuality are highly recommended. In my previous classes, attendance
at lectures has been a good predictor of a student’s performance on exams. You will find
it difficult to pass the class if you do not attend regularly. If you miss class, you are
expected to get notes from a fellow student – ‘private make-up lectures’ with the
professor will not take place.
Courtesy, active listening, and participation will make this course a more enjoyable and
productive experience for you and for others. Please plan to dedicate your full attention to
the discussion and activities of class.
Course Requirements
Grades in the course will be based on the following items:
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Midterm exams 1 and 2 are each worth 25%
The final exam is worth 30%
Class presentation & written report are worth 10%
Participation is worth 10%
Exams
There will be three (3) exams- two midterms and a final. Exam make-ups will only be
possible in the most extenuating circumstances (oversleeping, leaving early for
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Thanksgiving, etc., are not suitable excuses). If you are extremely ill or have a university
accepted excuse for missing an exam, please notify me prior to the test date. I will only
consider your request if you make it prior to the exam. Material covered on the exams
will come from lectures, assigned readings, and occasional homework assignments.
Class Presentations
I will assign you to a working group during the second week of the semester. In
addition to work collaboratively with other members of your group during in-class
activities, each group will be required to make a presentation to the class during the
semester. Details about the presentation will be discussed in detail during the
semester. In addition, your group will be required to submit a written report of the
presentation to the instructor.
Participation
I expect you to bring viewpoints, questions, and ideas to class. It is difficult to receive a
good grade should you choose not to participate.
Grading and Written Work Policies
A+ = 97-100%; A = 93-96.9%; A- = 90-92.9%
B+ = 87-89.9%; B = 83-86.9%; B- = 80-82.9%
C+ = 77-79.9%; C= 73-76.9%; C- = 70-72.9%
D+ = 67-69.9%; D = 63-66.9%; D- = 60-62.9%
F = 59.99% - 0%
Policy on Submitting Written Work in this Course
I expect my students to submit written work that fits the grammatical, stylistic and
citation expectations for college-level work in English. All written assignments in this
course are therefore graded in two ways: both in terms of content (information in terms of
logic, quality of evidence, etc.) and in terms of writing. If you are at all uncomfortable
with writing at the college level, you need to take steps to rectify this.
University Policies
Dropping and Adding
Students are responsible for understanding the policies and procedures about add/drop,
grade forgiveness, etc. Refer to the current semester’s Catalog Policies section at
http://info.sjsu.edu/static/catalog/policies.html. Add/drop deadlines can be found on the
current academic year calendars document on the Academic Calendars webpage at
http://www.sjsu.edu/provost/services/academic_calendars/. The Late Drop Policy is
available at http://www.sjsu.edu/aars/policies/latedrops/policy/. Students should be aware
of the current deadlines and penalties for dropping classes.
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Information about the latest changes and news is available at the Advising Hub at
http://www.sjsu.edu/advising/.
Consent for Recording of Class and Public Sharing of Instructor Material
Please see University Policy S12-7, http://www.sjsu.edu/senate/docs/S12-7.pdf
Electronic Device Policy for This Course
Laptops may be used during class for the purpose of taking notes, but students are
expected to stop typing and participate in discussions when they occur. Cell phones and
pagers must be turned off for the duration of class. Texting is discouraged as it strongly
detracts from your ability to receive information. If a cell phone rings during class, I
reserve my right to answer it; if you are texting, I reserve the right to ask you to leave the
classroom.
Academic integrity
Your commitment, as a student, to learning is evidenced by your enrollment at San Jose
State University. The University Academic Integrity Policy S07-2 at
http://www.sjsu.edu/senate/docs/S07-2.pdf requires you to be honest in all your academic
course work. Faculty members are required to report all infractions to the office of
Student Conduct and Ethical Development. The Student Conduct and Ethical
Development website is available at http://www.sjsu.edu/studentconduct/.
The rule is simple: If you cheat, I will fail you in the course and report you to the
Office of Student Conduct. So, do not do it!
Campus Policy in Compliance with the American Disabilities Act
If you need course adaptations or accommodations because of a disability, or if you need
to make special arrangements in case the building must be evacuated, please make an
appointment with me as soon as possible, or see me during office hours. Presidential
Directive 97-03 at http://www.sjsu.edu/president/docs/directives/PD_1997-03.pdf
requires that students with disabilities requesting accommodations must register with the
Accessible Education Center (AEC) at http://www.sjsu.edu/aec to establish a record of
their disability.
Accommodation to Students' Religious Holidays
San José State University shall provide accommodation on any graded class work or
activities for students wishing to observe religious holidays when such observances
require students to be absent from class. It is the responsibility of the student to inform
the instructor, in writing, about such holidays before the add deadline at the start of each
semester. If such holidays occur before the add deadline, the student must notify the
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instructor, in writing, at least three days before the date that he/she will be absent. It is the
responsibility of the instructor to make every reasonable effort to honor the student
request without penalty, and of the student to make up the work missed. See University
Policy S14-7 at http://www.sjsu.edu/senate/docs/S14-7.pdf.
Student Technology Resources
Computer labs for student use are available in the Academic Success Center at
http://www.sjsu.edu/at/asc/ located on the 1st floor of Clark Hall and in the Associated
Students Lab on the 2nd floor of the Student Union. Additional computer labs may be
available in your department/college. Computers are also available in the Martin Luther
King Library. A wide variety of audio-visual equipment is available for student checkout
from Media Services located in IRC 112. These items include DV and HD digital
camcorders; digital still cameras; video, slide and overhead projectors; DVD, CD, and
audiotape players; sound systems, wireless microphones, projection screens and
monitors.
SJSU Writing Center
The SJSU Writing Center is located in Clark Hall, Suite 126. To make an appointment or
to refer to the numerous online resources offered through the Writing Center, visit the
Writing Center website at http://www.sjsu.edu/writingcenter. For additional resources
and updated information, follow the Writing Center on Twitter and become a fan of the
SJSU Writing Center on Facebook.
Disclaimer
All information in this syllabus may be subject to change with fair notice by the
instructor, the Department of Political Science or San Jose State University.
Tentative Class Schedule
1. What is comparative politics?
Readings: CGG, Chapter 1.
2. What is comparative political science? What is the State?
Readings: CGG, Chapters 3-4
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3. Economic determinants of democracy and dictatorship.
Readings: CGG, Chapters 5-6.
Note: You can slim the second half of Chapter 5, which deals with evaluating measures
of democracy.
4. Cultural determinants of democracy and dictatorship.
Readings: CGG, Chapter 7
MIDTERM EXAM 1
5. Regime consequences.
Readings: CGG, Chapter 9.
6. Problems of group decision making.
Readings: CGG, Chapter 11
7. Parliamentary, Presidential, and Semi-presidential democracies.
Reading: (1) CGG, Chapter 12.
8. Elections and electoral systems
Readings: (1) CGG, Chapter 13.
MIDTERM EXAM 2
9. Social Cleavages and Party Systems
Readings: CGG, Chapter 14.
10. Institutional Veto Players
Readings: CGG, Chapter 15.
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11. Consequences of Democratic Political Institutions I
Readings: CGG, Chapter 16.
12.
Consequences of Democratic Political Institutions II
Readings: CGG, Chapter 16.
FINAL EXAMINATION: Thursday, May 19th, 7:15-9:30 AM
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