Comparative Government
POLS 4201 - D1
Spring 2015
Monday, Wednesday, Friday 11:00 – 11:50
Newton Oakes Center X107
Instructor: Dr. Raluca Viman Miller
Office hours: Dahlonega Campus –DOB Room 117- MWF 1-2 PM and M 10-11 AM
Cumming Campus -Room 283 -Tuesday and Thursday 1-2 PM
Contact info: 706-867-4525
raluca.viman-miller@ung.edu
If you do not receive a timely reply to your e-mail that means I did not receive
your e-mail! You must e-mail me from your UNG student account to confirm that you
are the one attempting to communicate. You must include your full name, class and
section you are attending in the subject line (e.g. John Smith POLS 2301 C1). You must
communicate with me using your UNG email address NOT the D2L account.
Course Description:
This course introduces you to comparative political analysis and familiarizes you
with the basic research tools and knowledge about the organization of politics. This class
is designed to provide a more in depth knowledge of theories and methodological issues
related to this major sub-field of political science. The main goal is to look at important
themes and apply them geographically where they are relevant. Comparative
Government teaches you how governments, political systems and politics are different as
well as similar across countries. One of the main goals of the course is to increase your
understanding about the countries that we will be covering—as well as of the theoretical
applications. Another goal is to familiarize you with how political scientists compare
specific cases in order to answer more general questions. We will begin by discussing
the methodological tools that you need to answer the “big questions” in the field. You
will need them in order to develop a systematic way of thinking about comparative
politics.
Texts and Readings:
J. Tyler Dickovick and Jonathan Eastwood, Comparative Politics: Integrating Theories,
Methods, and Cases (Oxford: Oxford University Press. 2013). (referred here as CP)
J. Tyler Dickovick and Jonathan Eastwood, Current Debates in Comparative Politics
(Oxford: Oxford University Press. 2015). (referred here as CD)
Kristen Williams, Research and Writing Guide for Political Science, (Oxford: Oxford
University Press. 2014).
One of the main national news papers to be read daily. You can subscribe on-line free of
charge. Our meetings will address issues found in the media regarding contemporary
issues. Failure to comply with your daily readings from the news paper will result in a
poor participation grade.
CNN:
MSNBC:
Fox News:
New York Times
Washington Post
BBC News
Newspapers Online:
Middle East Times:
Watching America:
http://www.cnn.com
http://www.msnbc.com
http://www.foxnews.com
http://www.nytimes.com
http://www.washingtonpost.com
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi.html
http://www.onlinenewspapers.com
http://www.metimes.com
http://www.watchingamerica.com/index.shtml
Hand-outs are part of the reading assignments. Please compile these in a binder and
make sure you consult them for examinations.
Additional material will be added during the semester.
Requirements: You are expected to actively participate in class discussions, have
appropriate classroom conduct and respect the academic environment. As well, you are to
show respect to your classmates by turning off your cell phones, pagers and any other
communication devices you may have that could potentially disrupt the class. Do NOT
consult your electronic devices during lectures. If you expect an important call or text
please stand up and make use of your telephone in the hallway. I reserve the right to ask
you to leave the classroom if I consider that your behavior is disruptive to the educational
process. You must take notes. You are welcome to use a computer etc yet, if I observe
that you make use of the computer to browse the internet or you use it in any other way
that is not related to note taking you forfeit the right to use it in this class.
Class begins at precisely 11:00 am and ends no later than 11:50 am. Do not
disturb the class and potentially miss assignments or quizzes by entering late or leaving
early. Do not start packing to leave prior to 11:50 am.
An attendance sheet will be circulated each day. Your presence in class will give
you a great advantage during examinations due to the fact that certain material will only
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be available during class lectures. Also, questions from our free debates might be
included in the examinations. Your attendance will be rewarded. If your grade is
borderline between two grades, I will consider giving you the higher grade.
Most class sessions will combine some mix of lecture and discussion/debate. All
students should come to class having read the assigned reading for the day, as lectures are
designed to complement the readings, not summarize or substitute for them. Current
events will be an integral part of the class sessions and may be included on the exams.
Videos and guest speakers may also be used on occasion.
This syllabus is a proposed plan for the course. Deviations may be
necessary; students will be notified in advance.
Additional mandatory material will be posted on line. You must pay
attention to your D2L account. You are responsible for the communication and the
material posted on line. It is part of the class requirements, no excuses will be
accepted.
There is absolutely no tolerance for cheaters. Plagiarism means and F for
the assignment and will result in failing the class indifferent of the rest of the grades.
I will make sure that I clearly communicate with you what constitutes plagiarism
and how to avoid it. No excuses are good enough, familiarize yourself with what
plagiarism means, and if you are not sure ask me for more clarifications.
Students with disabilities must follow the university guidelines. Must present
the disabilities paperwork in private and discuss in private all their needs prior to
the beginning of the class. You must make sure that you understand all assignments
and requirements for the class and if you have any need for additional adjustments
you must make me aware ahead of time.
University policy and definition of disruptive behavior:
“Students who exhibit behaviors that are considered to obstruct or disrupt the class or
its learning activities are subject to sanctions under the Board of Regents Policy on
Disruptive Behavior. Behaviors which may be considered inappropriate in the
classroom includes, but is not limited to, sleeping, coming in late, talking out of turn,
inappropriate use of laptops or mobile devices, verbal behavior that is disrespectful of
other students or the faculty member, or other behaviors that may be disruptive.
Students who exhibit such behavior may be temporarily dismissed from the class by the
instructor and will be subject to disciplinary procedures outlined in the Student
Handbook.”
For additional information please consult:
http://ung.edu/academic-affairs/policies-and-guidelines/supplementalsyllabus.php
We will go over the policies in detail during first class!
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This syllabus is a proposed plan for the course. Deviations may be necessary;
students will be notified in advance.
Grading system: The grades will be based on the following scale. You can achieve a
total of 1000 points during this class this semester.
1. exam one
2. exam two
3. exam three
4. presentation of weekly readings
5. participation
6. research paper
1050-900
899-800
799-700
699-600
less than 600
points
points
points
points
points
200 points
200 points
200 points
100 points
100 points (50 points extra credit for
exceptional participation)
200 points
A
B
C
D
F
Exams: Each is worth 200 points out of your final grade. NO make up exams available
except agreed upon in advance and only under EXTRAORDINARY and
DOCUMENTED circumstances. They will be take-home exams and you will turn in
both an electronic version (on Turnitin) and a hard copy in class.
Presentation of weekly readings: we will set up a schedule for presentation of assigned
texts in advanced. They will address country case studies, current debates in comparative
politics (CD) and relevant articles from academic publications. The texts will be
available to you all on D2L. The length of the presentation should be about ten minutes
(PowerPoint is expected). The written text should be five pages. Presenters will also be
responsible for facilitating the class discussions by being the experts on the texts and
formulating two discussion questions. Whether you are presenting or not, everybody is
required to read all the text unless they are marked as additional. Presenters will post their
slides and written analysis on D2L by midnight prior to class.
Participation: Your class participation is very important. They will count for 10% of
your grade but as you can see, you can obtain extra credit by being active in class. I
expect active debates over the issues discussed in class – your physical presence alone
does not count towards the full 100 points out of your final grade. I will communicate
with you in mass via Desire2Learn. You must check D2L often in order to keep
informed. I will post your grades on D2L. If you have any school related events that will
prevent you from attending class, please provide a written excuse in advance. More
than six absences during the entire semester will result in a failing grade (F). You
must present valid and written excuses for missing class. A hand written note from
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a parent does not constitute an excuse. Doctor excuses will be verified. I will also
not discuss your situation via e-mail with a parent or any other relative or friend
except a legal document is provided. I will only communicate to YOU and via
UNG.EDU e-mail accounts.
Written assignment: IS DUE APRIL THE 17TH. Research Paper: this is a full
research paper. You choose your own topic. You will use Turnitin.com to submit it
electronically on the date of April 17 by midnight. You must also bring a hard copy to
class on April the 17th. The two versions must be identical. Both versions must be turned
in on time in order to receive full credit. Each late day (including weekends and
holidays) will cost you 10% of your grade. You must use outside resources and have at
least 12 full pages of text.
You need to type all your assignments, except otherwise specified. I will no accept a
hand written assignment. It needs to be double spaced with one inch margins and using a
12-point font Times New Roman. The papers will be evaluated based on the quality of
the arguments and analysis, organization, clarity, grammar and style and adequacy and
correctness of citation. Make sure you make a clear distinction between your ideas and
the ones obtained from different sources. Failure to do so constitutes plagiarism and web
sources are not excluded from this rule. Your bibliographical sources need to be
consistent with one style, whichever you choose. Information on bibliographical styles:
https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01/
January 7 W Introduction
I. Comparative Political Analysis
January 9 F
January 12 M
January 14 W
January 16 F
The Comparative Approach
Theories, Hypothesis, and evidence
Read Ch 1 and Ch 2 (CP) + D2L assigned readings
January 19 M
MLK Holiday
II. The State, Development, Democracy, and Authoritarianism
January 21 W
January 23 F
January 26 M
The modern state
Read Ch 3 (CP) + D2L assigned readings
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January 28 W
January 30 F
February 2 M
Development and Political Economy
Read Ch 4 (CP) + D2L assigned readings
February 4 W
February 6 F
February 9 M
Democracy and Democratization
Read Ch 5 (CP) + D2L assigned readings
February 11W
February 13 F
February 16 M
Authoritarian Regimes and Democratic Breakdown
Read ch 6 (CP) + D2L assigned readings
February 18 W EXAM 1 (take-home exam, use your time efficiently, check D2L to
find out your questions)
III. Institutions of Government
February 20 F
February 23 M
February 25 W
Constitutions and Constitutional Design
Read Ch. 7 (CP) + D2L assigned readings
February 27 last day to withdraw without academic penalty
February 27 F
March 2 M
March 4 W
Legislatures and Legislative Elections
Read Ch. 8 (CP) + D2L assigned readings
March 6 F
March 9 M
March 11 W
Executives
Read Ch 9 (CP) + D2L assigned reading
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March 13 F
March 16 – March 21 Spring Break
March 23 M
March 25 W
Political Parties, Party Systems, and Interest Groups
Read Ch. 10 (CP) + D2L assigned readings
March 27 F EXAM 2 (take-home exam, use your time efficiently, check D2L to
find out your questions)
IV. Politics, Society, and Culture
March 30 M
April 1 W
April 3 F
Revolutions and Contention
Read Ch. 11 (CP) + D2L assigned readings
April 6 M
April 8 W
April 10 F
Nationalism and National Identity
Read Ch. 12 (CP) + D2L assigned readings
April 13 M
April 15 W
April 17 F
Race, Ethnicity, and Gender
Read Ch 13 (CP) + D2L assigned readings
April 20 M
April 22 W
April 24 F
Ideology and Religion in Modern Politics
Read Ch 14 (CP) + D2L assigned readings
April 27 Monday 10:20-12:20 Final Exam (3)
(take-home exam, use your time efficiently, check D2L to find out your questions, no
hard copy necessary, your exam is DUE BY 12:20 PM ON TURNITIN- NO
EXCEPTIONS)
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