PSCI 140: Comparative Politics I
Dr. Travis B. Curtice
Winter 2024
E-mail: tbc52@drexel.edu
Office Hours: T 10:30am–12:30pm
Office: 3025 MacAlister Hall
Web: https://learn.dcollege.net
Class Hours: M/W 2-3:50pm
Class Room: Academic Building, Room 219
Course Description
This course introduces basic concepts, methods, and questions in comparative politics (one of
four traditional sub-disciplines of political science). Comparative politics looks for answers to
questions about big questions, using comparison as a tool: why are some countries wealthy and
relatively equitable while others remain in poverty and inequitable? What causes transitions
from authoritarianism to democracy, and vice versa (What is a democracy and are they all the
same)? Why do ethnic and national conflicts emerge in some countries and not others? Why do
some countries have widespread political violence, while others do not? By considering evidence
from multiple countries (or multiple parts of countries), we can develop and test ideas about how
politics really works. The main objective of the course is a clear, demonstrable understanding of
key methods and approaches in comparative politics, as applied to common substantive topics
and questions.
Required Materials
• David J. Samuels. Comparative Politics. Pearson Higher Education, 2021 (Ideally updated
2nd ed., 2021 but earlier editions will work).
• In addition to using the textbook, we will watch a number of videos, listen to podcasts, and
read scholarly articles. All these items will be posted on Blackboard.
Prerequisites
There are no prerequisites for this course.
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Comparative Politics I
Requirements
1. Readings
Students are expected to read the assigned readings before class and may want to reread the
material after it was discussed in class. The dates in the syllabus provide an approximate
guide for the schedule of topics. Our only book to purchase is Samuel’s Comparative
Politics (CP) text above.
All other reading materials are available online through our class’s Blackboard account.
[Indicated in syllabus by *]
Students are strongly encouraged to keep current with events around the world through
print or online resources such as National Public Radio, The New York Times, The BBC, Al
Jazeera, The Economist, etc.
2. Class participation (10%)
Attendance is required. This is a discussion-based class, not a lecture—your classmates and
I will notice your absence. Any student with three or more unexcused absences automatically will receive a zero for class participation. Participation will be graded each class with
(✓+,✓,✓−) system. After every class period, I assign a (✓+,✓,✓− or − for participation.
At the end of the quarter, I remove the two lowest participation scores. ✓+ participation
requires that you:
(a) attend
(b) are extremely well-prepared, including staying caught up with the news
(c) make insightful comments
(d) keep your comments relevant to the reading and the broader purposes of the class
(e) keep your comments respectful of your colleagues
3. Responses/reflections (30%)
There will be five open-answer responses to/reflections on class discussion or a reading.
These responses are usually 1-3 questions asking you to reflect on puzzle, problem, or
theme from class. Responses are informal but clear logic, articulation, and understanding
of the material are needed. Graded as (✓+,✓,−).
4. Exams (60%)
There will be three exams. Each exam will draw from assigned readings, class discussions,
and lectures. The exams will contain a number of short-answer and multiple-choice questions. Exam 1 is scheduled for February 7. Exam 2 is scheduled for March 6. The final
exam is cumulative and will take place during finals week.
Course Goals
There are five primary goals of this course.
1. To develop an interest in the study of world politics.
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2. To identify several major debates in the comparative politics field.
3. To gain an appreciation of social science methodology (how we study the things we study).
4. To gain experience with the application of theoretical arguments to case studies.
5. To learn about the modern political institutions of several country case studies.
Course Objectives
By the end of this course, successful students should be able to:
1. Compare and contrast differing methodological approaches to comparative politics.
2. In writing and conversation, identify key terms and debates in the following substantive
areas of comparative politics: state and/vs. nation; regime types; democratization and
democratic institutions; authoritarianism and authoritarian institutions; development; and
political violence.
3. In writing and conversation, apply comparative politics findings to current issues and
events.
4. Develop a question and hypothesis on a comparative politics topic and situate them within
a literature review.
Course Policies
Academic Integrity Policy
Drexel University’s Academic Integrity Policy prohibits the following examples of academic misconduct (See: Academic Integrity Policy):
• PLAGIARISM: Plagiarism is the inclusion of someone’s previously documented words,
ideas, or data in one’s own new and original work. When a Student submits work related
to their academic coursework or co-op that includes the words, ideas, or data of others,
including one’s own previously submitted work, the source of that information must be
acknowledged through complete, accurate, and specific references; and, if verbatim statements are included, through quotation marks as well.
• CHEATING: Cheating is an act or an attempted act of deception by which a Student seeks
to misrepresent that they have mastered information or a skill on an academic evaluation
instrument, such as (by example, not limitation) a test, exam, or quiz, that has not in fact
been mastered.
• FABRICATION: Fabrication is the use of invented information or the falsification of research or other findings.
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• ACADEMIC MISCONDUCT: Academic misconduct includes academically dishonest acts
such as tampering with grades or taking part in obtaining or distributing any part of an
administered or unadministered examination, test, quiz, project, or similar evaluation instrument.
Drexel University expects all members of its community to uphold the highest values of academic
integrity. In upholding these values, the University is committed to investigating any allegation
of violations of academic integrity against a student. Violations include, but are not limited to:
plagiarism, cheating, fabrication, and academic misconduct. Such violations will not be tolerated
in this course. Any of these violations will result in a failing grade (zero) on the assignment and
the possibility of failing the course depending on the severity of the offense. Don’t plagiarize.
Don’t cheat.
Accommodations for Disabilities
Accommodations will be made for students with verifiable disabilities. Academic Accommodations can include, but are not limited to, testing accommodations, note-taking assistance, accessible reading materials, classroom modifications, distraction reduced testing, adaptive technology
and course substitutions. For more information about receiving and using these accommodations, contact Disability Resources at 215.895.1401 or disability@drexel.edu. If you believe that
these services would be useful for you, know that these important resources are available.
Attendance Policy
For complete attendance and excused absence policies, please see “Absence from Class". Attendance is expected in all sessions. Valid excuses for absence will be accepted before class. In
extenuating circumstances, valid excuses with proof will be accepted after class. Examples of
valid excuses include:
• Personal or family illness, bereavement, accident, or a catastrophic event.
• University-sponsored event.
• Religious Holiday observances.
Drexel University supports an environment that respects the religious observances of others
and is committed to making every reasonable effort to accommodate the religious observances
of faculty, students, and professional staff. As such, I will do my best to excuse students for
religious observances (as always just communicate in advance).
Discrimination and Harassment
The University is committed to establishing and maintaining an environment free from all forms
of Discrimination and Harassment for all University community members. The University prohibits discrimination and harassment against individuals based on protected categories. These
protected categories include, but are not limited to, race, color, religion, gender (sex), pregnancy,
national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, identity and expression, and veteran status. All
complaints of discrimination, harassment, and bias incidents or retaliation should be reported to
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the Office of Equality and Diversity, who may work in conjunction with Student Conduct for
resolution. You can make a report by emailing OED@drexel.edu or by calling 215-895-1405.
The full Discrimination, Harassment, and Bias Incident Prevention Policy (OED-1) can be
found here.
Drops and Withdrawals
We follow Drexel’s policies on drops and withdrawals, which are available at “Drop Policy" and
“Withdrawal Policy," respectively.
During Class
Come to class. Come to class on time. Come to class actively prepared to participate. Active
participation often means more than just talking–it also critically involves engaged listening.
I commit to respecting each of you and your perspectives – however, intolerance, slurs, and
disrespect are violations of academic integrity and will result in severe consequences.
Some students use electronic devices to take notes – so computers will be allowed in class.
Students should NOT use computers for anything but activities related to the class. If computers
become a distraction, I reserve the right to change this policy. Phones are prohibited as they will
not be used for the course.
Again, laptop and electronic devices are permitted in the classroom. Printing papers can be
costly both for you and the environment. So, you should feel welcome to use your preferred
electronic device in class. However, you should also be respectful of your instructor and peers by
using your computers only for class-related purposes. Make sure to put your phone away before
class starts and not take it out during class.
Comparative politics seeks to explore political questions and topics that significantly affect
our lives – inequality, political violence, race, colonialism, etc. Together let’s commit to discuss
these topics in good faith and informed by data and science. Following my colleague Prof.
Amelia Hoover Green’s work, “data" here includes personal experiences/narratives, historical
examples, and systematic empirical research.
Changes to the Syllabus
I reserve the right to amend or change any aspect of this syllabus but commit to communicate
these changes to the best of my ability in a clear and timely manner.
Communication
Students should come to my office hours to discuss course related topics (or broader questions
about political science, social science research, etc). I know “office hours" sound intimidating but
I really do hope to meet you and discuss course material with you during these times. I will also
be available via zoom during these times. If my office hours do not work for you, email me and
we can try and schedule another time to meet.
Most questions can likely be answered via email. As such, email is our best form of communication. I will do my best to respond promptly to your emails (48-ish business hours.) For
example, if you email me on a Monday morning, I will do my best to answer by Wednesday
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morning. Do not email me late Sunday night and expect me to email you back first thing on
Monday morning.
Final Course Grade
Final course letter grades will reflect the grading standard, detailed below.
A Exceptional Performance Consistently outstanding work on all course-related tasks at
a level that distinguishes the student from other members of the class. A comprehensive
and incisive command of the issues, literature, and substantive information relevant to the
course. A frequently demonstrated exceptional capacity for original, creative, critical and
logical thinking. The ability to master and integrate large amounts of factual material and
abstract theories. An outstanding ability to discuss effectively course subject matter using
both written and oral communication skills.
A- Excellent Performance
Consistently strong work on all course-related tasks. A comprehensive command of the issues, literature, and substantive information relevant to the course. A clearly demonstrated
capacity for original, creative, critical and logical thinking. Understands well and can integrate the relevant factual and theoretical material central to the course. A strong ability to
discuss effectively course subject matter using both written and oral communication skills.
B+ Very Good Performance
Consistently above average work on all course-related tasks. A very good grasp of the
issues, literature, and substantive information relevant to the course. A generally demonstrated capacity for original, creative, critical, and logical thinking. A very good command
of factual and theoretical material, and some capacity to integrate the two. A solid ability to
discuss effectively course subject matter using both written and oral communication skills.
B Good Performance
Good and generally consistent work on all course-related tasks. A general understanding of
the issues, literature, and substantive information relevant to the course. Modest evidence
of the capacity for original, creative, critical and logical thinking. A good understanding
of factual and theoretical material, but limited evidence of the capacity to integrate the
two. A basic ability to discuss effectively course subject matter using both written and oral
communication skills.
B- Satisfactory Performance
Satisfactory work on course-related tasks. A reasonable understanding of the issues, literature, and substantive information relevant to the course. An infrequently demonstrated
capacity for original, creative, critical and logical thinking. Understands at a basic level the
facts and theories related to the course, but demonstrates weak integration skills. A limited
or inconsistent ability to discuss effectively course subject matter using both written and
oral communication skills.
C+/C/C- Adequate Performance
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Adequate performance on course-related tasks. An understanding of the basic elements of
the issues, literature, and substantive information relevant to the course. A rarely demonstrated capacity for original, creative, critical and logical thinking (C+). An inability to go
beyond a recitation of basic factual material related to the class (C). Demonstrated weaknesses in the ability to discuss effectively course subject matter using both written and oral
communication skills (C-).
D/D+ Minimal Passing Performance
Barely acceptable work on course-related tasks. A generally superficial and often inconsistent familiarity with the issues, literature, and substantive information relevant to the
course. A failure to demonstrate the capacity for original, creative, critical and logical
thinking related to course content (D+). An uneven understanding of basic factual material related to the course; no evidence of fact/theory integration. Demonstrates significant
gaps in the ability to discuss effectively course subject matter using both written and oral
communication skills (D).
F Unacceptable Performance
Fails to meet minimum course expectations. Unable to understand even the most basic elements of the issues, literature, and substantive information relevant to the course. Demonstrates an inability to engage in coherent written or oral discussion of course material. Does
not satisfy specific course expectations with respect to attendance, deadlines, participation,
etc.
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Tentative Schedule
• Week 1: Introduction
1/8 Overview of the course.
1/10 What is comparative politics?
• Week 2: Politics, the State and the nation
What is politics? What is the origin of the state? What do states do? Monopoly of violence.
Sovereignty. How did states emerge? Difference between states and nations. Challenges to
the state?
1/15 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day No class
1/17 What is comparative politics? Why do we compare? How do we compare?
Read CP, ch 1
Discussion: What is science? What is political science? What is Comparative Politics expanded edition? Comparative politics as a method and substantive area of study. Correlation versus causation. What is an explanation? How to evaluate competing explanations?
• Week 3: Politics, the State and the Nation Continued
1/22 The importance of identity, difference between a state and a nation.
Read CP, ch 2
1/24 What makes a state a state?
Read: The Root of Haiti’s Misery: Reparations to Enslavers, New York Times
Read: Curtice, Kaitlin, and Esther Choo. "Indigenous populations: left behind in the
COVID-19 response." The Lancet 395.10239 (2020): 1753.
Response/Reflection 1
• Week 4: Political regimes and the emergence of democracy
What is democracy? What explains its emergence? Does it require wealth? Are there
cultural prerequisites? Are some cultures incompatible with democracy?
1/29
Democracy and Dictatorship: Conceptualization and Measurement
Read CP, ch 5.
1/31
Cultural Determinants of Democracy and Dictatorship. Economic Determinants of Democracy and Dictatorship.
Read Hyde, Susan D. "Democracy’s backsliding in the international environment." Science
369.6508 (2020): 1192-1196.
Response/Reflection 2
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• Week 5: Democratic institutions
Executive-legislative relations. Is presidentialism bad for democracy? Role of the judiciary.
Why do no democracies exist without political parties? Purpose of political parties: problem of collective action. Party families. What determines which parties emerge? Social
cleavages and electoral rules. Consequences for party systems and representation.
2/5
Parliamentary, Presidential, and Semi-Presidential Democracies and Elections and Electoral
Systems/Social Cleavages and Party Systems
Read CP 3
2/7
EXAM 1
• Week 6: Non-democratic Regimes and Collective Action
How are non-democracies organized? How do dictators rule? Common and distinct features. Totalitarianism and communism as distinct cases. Illiberal regimes: Political parties
and elections in non- democratic regimes? Sources of non-democratic rule. Do natural
resources always lead to authoritarianism? Why do coups happen?
2/12
Varieties of Dictatorship: Coercive institutions and repression
Read CP, ch 4.
What distinguishes coups from revolutions from terrorism? What factors influence the
emergence of contentious politics? How do groups overcome collective action problems?
How do institutions affect political behavior? Evaluating explanations.
2/14
Why do people participate collectively in politics?
Read CP, ch 9
Response/Reflection 3
• Week 7: Political Violence
2/19
What causes political Violence?
Read CP, ch 10
2/21 Political violence by state actors
Response/Reflection 4
Readings TBD
• Week 8: Globalization, Development, and Public Health
What is globalization? What are the effects of globalization on global equality? Why have
some parts of the world grown so slowly? What is development? Do political factors
matter? What are its implications for public health?
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2/26
Read CP, ch 11.
2/28
Read CP, ch 13.
Response/Reflection 5
• Week 9: Overflow
3/4
3/6
EXAM 2
• Week 10: Review
3/11
Review
Final Exam: Date and time TBD
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