Winter 2023
POLS 235 - INTRODUCTION TO COMPARATIVE POLITICS
Department of Political Science
University of Alberta
COURSE INSTRUCTOR
Instructor: Noureddin Mahmoud Zaamout
Office: Tory 12-04
Office Hours: Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12:00-1:00pm
Email: zaamout@ualberta.ca
Teaching Assistant: Taofiki Okunola
Office: TBA
Office Hours: Fridays from 1:00-2:00pm
Email: taofiki@ualberta.ca
CLASS TIME AND LOCATION
Time: Mondays, Wednesday, Fridays, 11:00-11:50am
Room:
COURSE OVERVIEW & OBJECTIVE
This course introduces students to the study of comparative politics (CP) as a subfield of political
science. CP is concerned with the study of politics and political systems around the world and is
distinguished from other subfields in political science by its reliance on the comparative
methodology. CP seeks to make sense of how politics is experienced in different countries and is
focused on addressing questions such as: Why are some states democratic while others are not?
What explains the emergence of social movements? What explains the disparity in development
between the Global North and South? This course will guide student through the application of
conceptual and theoretical tools for engaging in CP. During weeks 1-2, students will be introduced
to the development of the subfield of CP and the comparative methodology. Students will be
trained to think conceptually and apply the comparative methodology, theories and concepts to
make sense of the issues that will be discussed throughout the course. During weeks 3-13, students
will be introduced to select primary issues/themes in CP, including the state, democracy and
democratization, authoritarian regimes, and democratic breakdown, institutions and government,
executives and political parties, contentious politics and social movements, race and gender,
identity politics, development and ideology and populism. Throughout the course, students will
reflect on how theories and issues of comparative politics effects people in their daily lives.
COURSE GOALS
By the end of this course students will be able to:
▪
Develop a broad understanding of comparative politics as a subfield of study in political
science;
▪
▪
▪
▪
▪
Develop the capacity to conduct social science research and employ the comparative
methodology;
Formulate academic questions, design research, develop and test hypothesis;
Develop an understanding of qualitative and quantitative research methodologies;
approaches, and applications;
Think critically about course-materials and assigned readings;
Engage in advanced-level courses in comparative politics.
COURSE FORMAT
This course will consist of both lectures and tutorials that students are expected to attend.
Attendance and participation will be graded.
COURSE PREREQUISITES
POLS 101 is a prerequisite for this course. Students without this prerequisite should speak with
the instructor and/or the Department of Political Science before registering in this course. At the
request of an instructor, the Department may cancel your registration if you do not have the
required course prerequisites. For more information regarding the policy about course outlines,
grading, and related matters can be found in Section 23.4(2) of the University Calendar.
REQUIRED TEXBOOK
J. Tyler Dickovick; Jonathan Eastwood; David B. MacDonald. (2020). Comparative Politics:
Integrating Theories, Methods and Cases. New York: Oxford University Press (First Canadian
Edition).
IMPORTANT DATES
First Day of Class: January 5, 2023
Add/Delete Date: January 18, 2023
Withdrawal Date: April 4, 2023
Last Day of Class: April 12, 2022
ASSESSMENTS
Component
Attendance and Participation
Midterm Examination
Major Research Paper
Final Exam
Weighting
10%
30%
30%
30%
Date
Full term
February 17
March 22
TBA
Attendance and Participation (10%)
Participation in class discussions is essential to support a well-rounded understanding of each
week's topic for you and other students. Students should be prepared to respectfully express their
views on the readings, lectures, and class discussions. You will be graded on your attendance and
the quality of your comments. The mark for attendance and participation is a cumulative score
which involves the following: attendance in lectures and seminar discussions, the quality and
quantity of participation in seminar discussions, small group or individual in-class exercises, and
engagement in the presentations of other groups.
Midterm Examination (30%)
The midterm examination may primarily of multiple choice, short answer and essay questions.
The exam will draw on materials from both the lectures and readings. It will cover all the
materials discussed prior to the date of the exam. Students are recommended to keep up with the
weekly readings and attend the lectures and tutorials regularly.
Major Research Paper (30%)
You are required to write a research essay that answers a single research question that directly
ties in with the themes of the course. Papers should be around 2,000 words, between 8-10 pages
in length (double-spaced, Times New Roman font, size 12) not including the bibliography. They
should cite at least 10 sources, including at least 8 academic sources that must come from
academic journals and/or books. There is no preference for referencing style, however
consistency is necessary. Please include a word count at the end of your paper. Papers that
exceed the word limit will be graded up to the word limit. Please include a word count at the end
of your paper. Papers that exceed the word limit will be graded up to the word limit.
Final Exam (30%)
The final exam will consist of multiple-choice, short answers and essay questions. The
timing/location of the exam will be determined later in the semester and will be available on
Beartracks. Students are recommended to keep up with the weekly readings and attend the
lectures and tutorials regularly.
GRADING SCALE
Descriptor
Percentage
Excellent
95-100%
90-94%
85-89%
80-84%
75-79%
70-74%
67-69%
63-66%
60-62%
55-59%
50-54%
49% or less
Good
Satisfactory
Poor
Failure
Letter
Grade
A+
A
AB+
B
BC+
C
CD+
D
F
Grade
Point
4.0
4.0
3.7
3.3
3.0
2.7
2.3
2.0
1.7
1.3
1.0
0
COURSE SCHEDULE
WEEK/THEME
Week 1:
Introduction to
The Course
Week
2:Introduction
to Comparative
Politics and
Methodology
Week 3: The
State
DAY/TOPIC
JANUARY 6: Welcome
and Course Outline
ASSIGNED READINGS
▪ No readings assigned.
JANUARY 9:
Introduction to
Comparative Politics
▪
JANUARY 11:
Comparative
Methodology – Part 1
JANUARY 13:
Comparative
Methodology – Part 2
JANUARY 16 & 18: The
State in Comparative
Politics
▪
▪
Chapter 2: Theories, Hypothesis and
Evidence
▪
▪
Chapter 3: The State
Country Profile and Cases: The United
States
Country Profile and Cases: Mexico
▪
Week 4:
Democracy and
Democratization
Week 5:
Authoritarian
Regimes and
Democratic
Breakdown
Week 6:
Institutions and
Government –
Part 1
JANUARY 20: Tutorial 1
JANUARY 23 & 25:
▪
Democracy and
Democratization
▪
▪
JANUARY 27: Tutorial 2
JANUARY 30 &
FEBRUARY 1:
Authoritarian Regimes
and Democratic
Breakdown
FEBRUARY 3: Tutorial 3
FEBRUARY 6 & 8:
Constitutions and
Constitutional Design
FEBRUARY 10: Guest
Lecture Dr. Amanda
Bertana – Climate Politics
Danielle Caramani “Introduction to
Comparative Politics” in Danielle
Caramani, Eds. Comparative Politics, 5th
Edition. Oxford, UK: Oxford University
Press, 2020: pp. 1-17 [Available on
RESERVE in the Rutherford Library].
Chapter 1: The Comparative Approach
▪
▪
▪
▪
Chapter 6: Democracy and
Democratization
Country Profile and Cases: United
Kingdom
Country Profile and Cases: Brazil
Chapter 7: Authoritarian Regimes and
Democratic Breakdown
Country Profile and Cases: China
Country Profile and Cases: Russia
Country Profile and Cases: Iran
▪
Chapter 8: Constitutions and
Constitutional Design
▪
No readings assigned.
Week 7:
Institutions and
Government –
Part 2
Week 8:
Institutions and
Government –
Part 3
Week 9: Race,
Gender
▪
Week 10:
Identity Politics
and Ideology
Week 11:
Political
Economy and
Development
▪
Week 12:
Contentious
Politics
Week 13:
Comparative
Politics and
International
Relations
Week 14 Final
Exam Review
▪
FEBRUARY 13 &15:
▪ Chapter 9: Legislatures and Legislative
Legislatures and
Elections
Legislative Elections
▪ Country Profile and Cases: Canada
FEBRUARY 17: Midterm Examination
Reading Week – No Classes
FEBRUARY 20-24
FEBRUARY 27:
▪ Chapter 10: Executives
Executive Branch of
Government
MARCH 1: Political
▪ Chapter 11: Political Parties, Party
Parties and Interest Group
Systems and Interest Groups
MARCH 3: Tutorial 5
MARCH 6 & 8: Race,
▪ Chapter 14: Race, Ethnicity and Gender.
Ethnicity and Gender
MARCH 10: Tutorial 6
MARCH 13: Nationalism ▪ Chapter 13: Nationalism and National
and National Identity
Identity
MARCH 15: Ideology
▪ Chapter 15: Ideology and Religion in
and Religion in Modern
Modern Politics
Politics
MARCH 17: Tutorial 7
MARCH 20: Political
▪ Chapter 4: Political Economy
Economy
▪ Country Profile and Cases: Germany
MARCH 22:
▪ Chapter 5: Development
Development
▪ Country Profile and Cases: Brazil
▪ Country Profile and Cases: Nigeria
MARCH 24: Tutorial 8
MARCH 27 & 29: Social ▪ Chapter 12: Revolutions and Contention.
movements and
▪
Revolutions
MARCH 31: Tutorial 9
APRIL 5: Comparative
▪ Chapter 16: Comparative Politics and
Politics and International
International Relations
Relations
▪
APRIL 12: Final Exam Review
COURSE POLICIES
Attendance: Regular attendance is essential for optimal performance in any course. In cases of
potentially excusable absences, please notify your instructor by e-mail as soon as possible.
Regarding absences that may be excusable and procedures for addressing course components
missed as a result, consult sections 23.3(1) and 23.5.6 of the University Calendar.
E-mail Policy: Email is an effective method of communication that allows instructors and
students to connect with one another. When emailing your instructor, please make sure that your
email is respectful of your instructor and their time. More information on email etiquettes can be
found here: https://www.colorado.edu/amath/sites/default/files/attachedfiles/email_etiquette_1.pdf
Assignment Submission Policy: Unless otherwise instructed, assignments may be submitted
electronically.
Policy for Late Assignments: Assignments that are submitted past the deadline will be deducted
a penalty of 5% a day to a maximum of five business days. Assignments will not be accepted
beyond the five-day limit. Submission via email will not be accepted.
Late Attendance: Students are expected to be in class on time. Students who are inexcusably
tardy will only be awarded partial attendance grade.
Missed Tests and Assignments: Students are responsible to keep up with course
exams/assignments. Students with excusable absences may be able to make up lost
exams/assignment. Regarding absences that may be excusable and procedures for addressing
course components missed as a result, consult sections 23.3(1) and 23.5.6 of the University
Calendar.
Deferred Final Examination: Deferral of term work is a privilege and not a right; there is no
guarantee that a deferral will be granted. Misrepresentation of Facts to gain a deferral is a serious
breach of the Code of Student Behaviour. For information on how to apply for a deferred exam
see “I Missed my Final Exam, Now What?”
STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES
Academic Integrity: The University of Alberta is committed to the highest standards of
academic integrity and honesty. Students are expected to be familiar with these standards
regarding academic honesty and to uphold the policies of the University in this respect. Students
are particularly urged to familiarize themselves with the provisions of the Code of Student
Behaviour (online at www.governance.ualberta.ca) and avoid any behaviour which could
potentially result in suspicions of cheating, plagiarism, misrepresentation of facts and/or
participation in an offence. Academic dishonesty is a serious offence and can result in
suspension or expulsion from the University.
All students should consult the Academic Integrity website. If you have any questions, ask your
instructor.
An instructor or coordinator who is convinced that a student has handed in work that he or she
could not possibly reproduce without outside assistance is obliged, out of consideration of
fairness to other students, to report the case to the Associate Dean of the Faculty. See the
Academic Discipline Process .
Recording of Lectures: Audio or video recording, digital or otherwise, of lectures, labs,
seminars or any other teaching environment by students is allowed only with the prior written
consent of the instructor or as a part of an approved accommodation plan. Student or instructor
content, digital or otherwise, created and/or used within the context of the course is to be used
solely for personal study, and is not to be used or distributed for any other purpose without prior
written consent from the content author(s).
Disclaimer: Any typographical errors in this syllabus are subject to change and will be
announced in class and posted on eClass. The date of the final examination is set by the Registrar
and takes precedence over the final examination date reported in this syllabus.
STUDENT RESOURCES
The best all-purpose website for student services is: https://www.ualberta.ca/current-students.
Accessibility Resources: (1 – 80 SUB)
The University of Alberta is committed to creating work and learning communities that inspire
and enable all people to reach their full potential. Accessibility Resources promotes an
accessible, inclusive, and universally designed environment. For general information to register
for services visit the Accessibility Resources webpage.
The Academic Success Centre: (1-80 SUB)
The Academic Success Centre offers a variety of workshops on effective study and exam
strategies. There are in-person and online sessions available for a modest fee.
The Centre for Writers: (1-42 Assiniboia Hall)
The Centre for Writers offers free one-on-one writing support to students, faculty, and staff.
Students can request consultation for a writing project at any stage of development. Instructors
can request class visits and presentations.
Health and Wellness Support: There are many health and community services available to
current students. For more information visit the Health and Wellness Support webpage.
Office of the Student Ombuds: The Office of the Student Ombuds offers confidential
interviews, advice and support to students facing academic, discipline, interpersonal and
financial difficulties.
LEARNING AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT
The Faculty of Arts is committed to ensuring that all students, faculty and staff are able to work
and study in an environment that is safe and free from discrimination and harassment. It does not
tolerate behaviour that undermines that environment.
The University of Alberta acknowledges that we are located on Treaty 6 territory, and respects
the histories, languages, and cultures of the First Nations, Métis, Inuit, and all First Peoples of
Canada, whose presence continues to enrich our vibrant community.
Policy about course outlines can be found in the Evaluation Procedures and Grading System
section of the University Calendar.
Copyright: Noureddin Zaamout, Faculty of Arts, University of Alberta (2023)