Political Science 15-POL-160-001
winter 2012
MWF 11-11:50
Zimmer 413
Professor Laura Dudley Jenkins
Office: 1114 Crosley Tower
E-mail: Laura.Jenkins@uc.edu
GA: Laurel Wei weiwi@mail.uc.edu
Office Hours: Wed & Fri 12-1
or by appointment
Phone/voice mail: 556-3308
Laurel: 1106 Crosley, M 1:30-2:30
INTRODUCTION TO COMPARATIVE GOVERNMENT
Course Description and Learning Objectives:
This course will introduce the diverse forms of government and politics around
the world through an examination of several countries (UK, India, Russia, Mexico, South
Africa, Iran and China) in comparative perspective. This is a particularly fascinating time
to study international politics due to ongoing processes of globalization and
democratization. While globalization seems to be bringing the world closer together, the
rise of identity politics creates new challenges, sometimes tearing countries apart. These
contemporary trends provide the three themes that will structure our comparisons. At the
subnational level, we will focus on identity politics. At the national level, we will
compare democratic institutions in different countries. At the international level, we will
explore the implications of globalization for current politics. The course will allow
students to develop the background and conceptual tools necessary to analyze politics and
current events in many parts of the world.
This course introduces fundamentals of comparative government institutions and
political processes. Students will learn to compare and contrast politics in a diverse range
of countries and cultures. Readings deal with concepts, structures, theories and processes
of governance in states with different political systems.
By the end of the course, students should be able to:
1. identify and understand structural differences among political systems (i.e.
parliamentary, presidential, etc.) and the way that various cultures around the world
influence the structure and operation of government;
2. compare and contrast democracy vs. authoritarian systems and ideology; and
3. reflect on regional differences in political and economic development.
Requirements:
I. Readings
Students are expected to read the assigned readings before class and come prepared with
questions and comments.
Required Text:
Mark Kesselman et al. Introduction to Comparative Politics, Brief Second Edition.
Wadswoth Cengage Learning, 2013.
ISBN-13: 978-1-111-83417-3 or ISBN-10: 1-111-83417-2
The textbook is available for rent or for sale. Be sure you are getting the correct edition
(check date and ISBN). You can buy or rent the book at the following website and will
have access to the ebook while waiting for your copy to arrive: http://www.ichapters.com
http://www.cengagebrain.com/shop/isbn/9781111834173
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Other assigned readings will be posted on blackboard http://blackboard.uc.edu
Students are expected to regularly read a newspaper, newsmagazine, or website with
substantial international news coverage (such as the New York Times, Financial Times,
Washington Post, or Economist). International newspapers are in the Langsam Library
periodicals section or on Lexis Nexis, available through the Langsam webpage. Students
could also listen to “Morning Edition” or “All Things Considered” on public radio or
watch the PBS News Hour (also available online).
II. Attendance and Preparation
Attendance will be taken. Poor attendance and failure to keep up with the readings will
hurt your final grade and can be grounds for failure.
III. Midterms and Final
There will be two midterms and a final exam covering readings, lectures, and class
discussions as well as any guest lectures or films. The midterms will be multiple choice
questions (bring number 2 pencils), and the final will be an essay exam (bring blue books
and pens). The following online pamphlet offers general advice on taking an essay exam.
http://www.indiana.edu/~wts/pamphlets/essay_exam.shtml
IV. Constitution Activity and Constitution Essay for Final Exam
Drawing on all of the country case studies and a week of in-class small group discussions
and writing, student groups will make proposals for a new constitution for one of the
countries covered in class, focusing on democratic institutions, electoral systems and
identity accommodation. The constitutional proposals will be written in class and posted
to Blackboard. Your individual essay for the final exam will analyze and explain some of
your constitutional recommendations and the reasoning behind them, drawing on
knowledge of the institutions and politics of the countries studied in this class. Missing
class during the Constitution Activity will cause you to lose points toward the
constitution portion of your grade as well as make it difficult to write your essay on the
final exam.
Grades will be determined on the following basis:
Constitution proposals and attendance
25% of final grade
Midterm 1
25% of final grade
Midterm 2
25% of final grade
Final Exam
25% of final grade
Be aware of the withdrawal deadlines. There will be no makeup exams. If there are
extraordinary (medical) circumstances and arrangements are made with the professor
prior to the exam, an alternative test may be given to compensate for that portion of the
grade. This syllabus is subject to modification.
Some of the topics covered are controversial and can evoke strong opinions. In this class
all points of view will be listened to and respectfully considered.
3
The University Rules, including the Student Code of Conduct, and other documented
policies of the department, college, and university related to academic integrity will be
enforced. Any violation of these regulations, including acts of plagiarism or cheating,
will be dealt with on an individual basis according to the severity of the misconduct. It is
each student's responsibility to know and comply with the Student Code of Conduct,
which defines behavior expected of all University of Cincinnati students and behavior
considered misconduct. Sanctions and penalties are outlined. The Code of Conduct is
available in the college office and online at
http://www.uc.edu/conduct/Code_of_Conduct.html
Definitions of cheating, plagiarism, and penalties are in the Code of Conduct. The
definition of plagiarism includes, but is not limited to: copying another student's work,
copying materials without proper citation, paraphrasing without proper citation and
failing to cite all sources used and/or consulted. Examples and guidance can be reviewed
at the following site: https://www.indiana.edu/~istd/examples.html
If you have any special needs related to your participation in this course, including
identified visual impairment, hearing impairment, physical impairment, communication
disorder, and/or specific learning disability that may influence your performance in this
course, you should meet with the instructor to arrange for reasonable provisions to ensure
an equitable opportunity to meet all requirements of this course. At the discretion of the
instructor, some accommodations may require prior approval by Disability Services.
A learning resource for students is the Learning Assistance Center, which offers free
online and in person instruction on topics such as study skills, note taking, time
management, and test preparation. See http://www.uc.edu/aess/lac.html
Such workshops can be useful for students in this class, but they should not substitute for
coming to the professor to discuss the class content or any questions. I am happy to make
appointments with students if office hours are inconvenient.
Schedule of Topics and Required Readings
(K=Kesselman text, other readings posted on blackboard )
Comparing Democracies, Identity Politics and Globalization
Wed Jan 4
Introduction to course and Democratic Institutions
Fri Jan 6
Introduction to Identity Politics Benjamin Barber “Jihad versus McWorld”
Mon Jan 9
Introduction to Globalization K ch 1
UK
Wed Jan 11
Fri Jan 13
K ch 2
Browse EU website http://europa.eu, discussion of UK and the EU
Mon Jan 16 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (UC Closed)
India
Wed Jan 18
K ch 4
4
Fri Jan 20
Mon Jan 23
Mark Juergensmeyer excerpts from Gandhi’s Way
Film excerpt Gandhi, discussion of Gandhi and Dr. Martin Luther King
Wed Jan 25 Midterm 1 Bring #2 pencils
Russia
Fri Jan 27
Mon Jan 30
Russia
Wed Feb 1
Mexico
Fri Feb 3
Mon Feb 6
Wed Feb 8
K ch 5
Anna Politkovskaya “Her own death, foretold” and excerpts from Putin’s
Discussion of March 4 Presidential election in Russia
K ch 6
Rajiv Patel on “Zapatista democracy” from The Value of Nothing
Discussion of drug war and lethal globalization
South Africa
Fri Feb 10
K ch 7
Mon Feb 13 Nelson Mandela excerpts from Long Walk to Freedom
Wed Feb 15 Film excerpt Invictus, discussion of the politics of reconciliation
Fri Feb 17
Midterm 2 Bring #2 pencils
Iran
Mon Feb 20
Wed Feb 22
Fri Feb 24
K ch 8
Marjane Satrapi excerpts from Persepolis
Film excerpt Persepolis, discussion of religion and politics
China
Mon Feb 27
Wed Feb 29
K ch 9
Film excerpt The Tank Man, discussion of politics of protest
Constitution Activity: Review and knowledge integration
Bring texts and your notes to class to use for reference.
Fri March 2 Electoral system simulation, organize constitution teams
Mon March 5 Constitution Activity Day 1: democratic structures
Wed March 7 Constitution Activity Day 2: electoral systems
Fri March 9 Constitution Activity Day 3: identity politics and policies
Final Exam, Mon March 12, 1:30-3:30 pm, in our classroom. Bring #2 pencils and
pens. Bluebooks will be provided.