INTRODUCTION TO COMPARATIVE POLITICS
Political Science 2380
Fall 2015/Winter 2016, 6 credit hours
Mondays, Wednesdays, 11:30 am-12:45 pm
McNally East 104
Instructor:
Office Hours:
Office Location:
Contact:
Dr. Lyubov Zhyznomirska
1:00 – 4:00 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays
(OR BY APPOINTMENT)
McNally North 404
Lyubov.Zhyznomirska@smu.ca, or at 420-5839 (office)
Course Prerequisites: 1000-level course in Political Science
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Political Science 2380 is a full-year course that introduces students to the field of Comparative
Politics. The course is designed to provide students with analytical concepts, methods and
theoretical approaches used by comparativists and teach them how to “think comparatively.”
This involves an ability to understand and compare political processes and institutions across
geography (space) and history (time). The concepts and questions are presented in the context of
historical case studies of selected countries. By studying other countries, students will also learn
more about the country that they reside in.
Although comparative politics primarily deals with issues of domestic politics, the current era of
globalization and growing interdependence blurs the distinction between domestic and
international influences in country’s governance. Globalization reinforces an emphasis on change
and pushes comparativists to account for these global influences when studying countries and their
politics. Comparative politics is also an interdisciplinary field, and it involves many research
traditions and approaches: political philosophy, sociology, history, political economy,
anthropology, geography, and cultural studies.
The course focuses on an integrative approach to theories, methods, and cases, blending the case
studies information with themes of Comparative Politics. The general goal is to provide students
with a solid grounding in the use of comparative research to explain or understand political
phenomena.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
After completing this course, students should acquire a good understanding of the field of
comparative politics, including comparative methodology and theoretical approaches that are
used by comparativists. They should have a good understanding of the issues facing the countries
that belong to the Global North and to the Global South, and should be well equipped with the
conceptual foundations to continue their study of comparative politics at third- and fourth-year
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levels. In addition, students will have enhanced knowledge of the historical development of
nation-states, societies and institutions in all regions of the world, and a better understanding of
the forces that have shaped various societies.
In addition to the subject knowledge acquired in this course, students will also have developed:
 Intellectual skills: the ability to critically assess and apply theories of comparative politics
to everyday political realities; the ability to learn from cases and observe trends.
 Research and information literacy skills: the ability to research current state policy
positions using primary sources available online; improved search skills in university
library settings.
 Writing skills: an improved ability to develop and implement a research plan and
accomplish writing goals.
 Public speaking skills: an enhanced ability to express oneself publicly and engage with
peers.
OFFICE HOURS
Students are encouraged to make use of the instructor’s office hours generously, in order to have
a rewarding experience and succeed in this course. Have a question or want to discuss any issue
or concern relating to this course? Feel free to stop by my office during the office hours or email
me if you want to have a chat at a different time.
EMAIL
You may expect an email response from me in a timely manner (within 24 hours) during the
work week. However, on weekends I do not check email regularly. Please do not expect a
response before the beginning of the work week. Also, I will not respond to substantive
questions related to course assignments or exams in the last 24 hours before a deadline.
You are expected to start working on assignments ahead of time. Any last-minute emailing
should be limited to emergencies or logistical matters.
CLASS FORMAT
The course will include lectures by the instructor, class discussions, as well as occasional in-class
exercises in individual and group format. Guest lectures and films may also be scheduled. During
the lectures, the instructor will use the Clickers technology to facilitate interactive learning.
Please note that class participation is an integral part of the course. Student participation and
attendance will be graded. Students are expected to have read the materials identified under each
theme’s required readings. On some occasions, additional readings – such as relevant newspaper
articles – will be assigned or distributed as part of the in-class exercises.
Students are encouraged to get familiar and informed with current world affairs and news and
bring the relevant issues into the classroom discussion.
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REQUIRED READING MATERIALS (to be purchased)
The following texts are required and may be purchased from the Campus Bookstore in the
Students’ Union Building:
(1) J. Tyler Dickovick and Jonathan Eastwood, Comparative Politics: Integrating
Theories, Methods, and Cases, 2nd edition (New York; Oxford: Oxford University
Press, 2016). Students purchasing this text will also have access to the companion
website: http://global.oup.com/us/companion.websites/9780190270995/ (Note that this
textbook is available in electronic (e-book) format through CourseSmart at
http://www.coursesmart.com/comparative-politics-integrating-theories/j-tyler-dickovickjonathan-eastwood/dp/9780190271022).
(2) J. Tyler Dickovick and Jonathan Eastwood, Current Debates in Comparative Politics
(New York, Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2015).
Other course readings will be available electronically (through the library) or via the course
website on Blackboard.
Note that we will be using the Clickers technology in this course. The Clicker can be purchased
new at the SMU bookstore or used.
A complete list of readings for each topic appears in the course schedule guide below, and the
listed readings are compulsory. Feel free to approach me if you are interested in further readings
on any of the topics covered in the class.
If you need to consult research and writing guides, I suggest using The Nelson Guide to Research
and Writing in Political Science, 2nd edition, by Lucille Charlton and Mark Charlton (Toronto:
Thomson Nelson, 2013) or earlier version of this book.
Students are strongly encouraged to follow news at:
 The New York Times (www.newyorktimes.com)
 BBC News (www.bbc.co.uk)
 The Washington Post (www.washingtonpost.com)
 The Huffington Post, http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/
 Le Monde (www.lemonde.com), English and/or French version
 The Economist (www.economist.com)
 The Globe and Mail (http://www.theglobeandmail.com/)
 www.openDemocracy.net
Add your own favourite news sources!
COURSE WEBSITE
You can find the course website on SMU Blackboard. The website includes the course syllabus,
all handouts, lecture slides (to be posted after lecture), assignment instructions, and some of the
required readings. Make sure you follow the Blackboard course on a regular basis to see all
updates, deadlines, and course-related announcements.
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COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND EVALUATION
The table below outlines the critical components in the course evaluation. Students should note
that in all but exceptional situations, all components of the course must be completed to receive a
passing grade. The instructor will not ‘curve’ or adjust final grades according to any preset
formula.
Course Component
Due Date
Weight
Term
Fullyear
FALL TERM
Participation and attendance
Ongoing
15%
7.5%
September 25, 2015
35%
7%
17.5%
3.5%
November 9, 2015
14%
7%
November 30, 2015
14%
7%
Critical reading skills: Text
summary
October 14, 2015
10%
5%
Test 1 (Midterm)
October 26, 2015
20 %
10%
Test 2 (Take-home exam)
December 5, 2015
20 %
10%
100%
50%
Research and writing skills:
1) ResearchBase (online
library tutorial)
2) Research proposal and
annotated bibliography
3) Comparative Research
Design paper
WINTER TERM
Participation and attendance
Ongoing
15%
7.5%
Research Paper
February 22, 2016
25%
12.5%
Critical reading skills: Text
summary
March 14, 2016
10%
5%
Test 3 (Midterm)
February 10, 2016
20%
10%
Test 4 (final exam)
April 2016/TBD
30%
15%
100%
50%
ATTENDANCE AND PARTICIPATION: 15% IN EACH TERM
Regular attendance is essential for optimal performance in any course, and students are expected
to attend class regularly. Physical presence in class will be recorded and will be rewarded by the
instructor. In cases of potentially excusable absences due to illness or domestic affliction, notify
your instructor by e-mail within two days. Be aware that unexcused absences will result in partial
or total loss of the grade for the “attendance and participation” component of a course, as well as
for any assignments that are not handed-in or completed as a result.
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Class attendance and participation is worth 15% of your full-year grade. Your class participation
will be evaluated on the basis of the quality of your contribution to the class discussions. You are
expected to do all the required readings and be well informed about the current relevant events.
Your class participation will be evaluated on the basis of the following criteria:
 Ability to formulate your thoughts clearly and accessibly to other students;
 Ability to critically analyze the readings and pose questions;
 Ability to participate in the discussion in a respectful manner.
EXAMINATIONS
Midterm Exams (20% in each term): Mid-term exams will be held in class in both the Fall and
the Winter term, on October 26th and February 10th respectively. Approximately one hour in length,
the exam will consist of short answer, multiple choice, and essay questions and will cover the
material taught in the weeks preceding the exam.
Final Exams (weight varies): The December exam will be a take-home exam, and it will test your
ability to understand and analyze the political phenomena using the material covered in class in
the Fall term. Further details on the exam will be provided in class on December 2nd, 2015. The
April exam will be a comprehensive exam and will cover the material taught in both terms. The
April exam will consist of short answer, multiple choice and essay questions, and will last three
hours.
Should you fail to be present at any of the final exams, please consult the SMU’s policy regarding
procedures for special examinations (Academic Regulation 10 of the 2015-2016 Academic
Calendar).
ASSIGNMENTS
ResearchBase: 7%
Due September 25, 2015, by 2:00 pm
For this course, you are required to complete an online library assignment delivered through
Blackboard. It is designed to make you familiar with the basics of university level research. By
completing this assignment, you will learn how to find materials for your assignments and essays
and hence will acquire research skills necessary for an academic degree and for everyday life.
This assignment will show you how to define your research topic, create a search strategy and
choose key words, and search for books and journal articles in university library. By completing
this assignment, you will acquire tools to complete your next assignment, an annotated
bibliography described below.
N.B.: If you had already completed ResearchBase as part of your other course(s) at Saint Mary’s
University, please notify your instructor by email.
Text Summaries: 10%
Due Oct. 14, March 14, in class
A list of articles for review and assignment instructions will be provided in class.
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Research Outline and Annotated bibliography: 14%
Due November 9, 2015, in class
This assignment is designed to accomplish two goals: 1) to let you practice and get proficient in
your library search skills, and 2) to get you started doing research for your course research paper
(due in the Winter term). I will provide you with the comments that you are expected to incorporate
in revising your research paper. Think of it as a first stage in a larger research project that you will
be working on this academic year.
Research proposal helps students organize their research projects, while an annotated bibliography
gives a snapshot of the research available on a given topic. Although students are encouraged to
pursue a topic of their choosing, prior consultation with the instructor about the topic will be
beneficial to your research progress. Preliminary research topics are to be submitted to the
instructor on September 28th, 2015, for evaluation and feedback.
Your research outline should be approximately 300 words in length. Note that there is no word
limit assigned to the annotated bibliography potion of this assignment. However, students are
expected to include 8 academic sources on the topic of their choice.
To meet the requirements of this assignment, students are expected:
1) To provide a provisional title of the research paper;
2) To describe a topic of the paper, with an explanation of what will be examined in your
research paper and what its comparative focus will be. Explain why it is important to the
study of comparative politics;
3) To provide bibliographical data of each article;
4) To summarize each article concisely. You should state the source’s main thesis (or
hypothesis or research question), major methods of investigation, and its main conclusions;
5) To assess the source’s relevance to your research question or project;
6) To outline the scope of your investigation and a rationale for the selection of sources;
7) To include a closing paragraph and give a preliminary outline of the research paper and its
working argument or hypotheses.
Attention should be paid to the currency of the sources and evidence used (not older than 20 years).
Students are encouraged to consult the writing guide recommended for this course and read the
advice on “Writing an Annotated Bibliography” by Deborah Knott posted on the course web-site.
If you need to consult research and writing guides, I suggest using The Nelson Guide to Research
and Writing in Political Science, 2nd edition, by Lucille Charlton and Mark Charlton (Toronto:
Thomson Nelson, 2013). You may also use Writing in Social Sciences by Jake Muller (Oxford
University Press, 2010).
Students are encouraged to make use of the instructional resources and tutoring provided by the
SMU’s Writing Centre. For more information on what services are provided to students by the
Centre, visit http://www.smu.ca/academic/writingcentre/tutoring.html.
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Research Paper: 25 %
Due February 22, 2016, in class
The writing of this paper is the final stage in your research project. The paper should be 10 pages
long (2500 words, based on double-spaced formatting, using a 12 pt. Times New Roman font). It
must be written in a proper essay format, including style, presentation, structure and
documentation. It must have an explicit argument (your thesis statement) at the beginning of the
paper and must have a conclusion(s). It should be written in an acceptable consistent referencing
style (APA, MLA or Chicago style). Also, attention must be paid to the currency of the sources
and evidence used in the paper.
Students’ written work will be evaluated on the basis of the following criteria:
 Clearly stated thesis;
 Clear argumentative line of the paper that not only describes, but also analyses the
subject matter, with attention paid to key issues, textual coherence, and clear
argumentation;
 Effective use of a variety of scholarly and relevant resources (articles, books, media and
other materials), familiarity with the literature of the subject, selective and critical use of
the internet sources;
 Proper quotation style; proper referencing and footnote style, complete bibliography.
Please use one of these styles: Chicago Manual or APA style. (Consult the library
resources in case you are unfamiliar with these styles).
 Organization and style of the paper, sentence and paragraph structure, punctuation, word
use, grammar.
Comparative Research Design Paper: 14%
Due November 30, 2015, in class
The goal of this assignment is to let you practice designing a comparative research design
strategies. This paper should be 4-5 pages long (1250 words maximum). It CANNOT be written
on the same topic that you chose for your research paper. Choose a different topic and question
from the list provided below.
In this exercise, the focus is on the design; you are not required to do a literature review and
develop full argumentation and conclusions. However, provide complete references for any
sources you use and use proper writing and documentation guidelines. The following questions
will help you draft this assignment:






What kind of preliminary research do you need to do in order to identify or formulate
hypotheses?
Which hypothesis(es) will you test?
Which concepts need to be operationalized and how will you do this?
What relationships between variables do you need to find to validate your hypothesis?
Which ones would contradict or invalidate your hypothesis?
What are the competing explanations for the same phenomenon? How will your research
design show that your hypothesis is best able to account for the phenomenon in question?
Overall, what kind of theory is needed to answer this question, and what kind of research
would you have to do to support the theory?
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The list of questions for the comparative research design paper:
1. What is the primary explanation for the rise of powerful fascist parties in Germany and
Italy in the inter-war period?
2. What explains electoral support for populist far-right parties?
3. Why has the European Union adopted more ambitious targets for the reduction of
greenhouse gas emissions than Canada?
4. Why did Sweden, Norway, and Denmark develop social democratic welfare states?
5. Is a large middle class a condition for stable liberal democracies?
6. Does heavy reliance upon oil exports for revenue cause states to become undemocratic?
7. Why has Canada’s Green Party not been successful in getting more than one seat in the
House of Commons? Draw on a case of Germany’s Green party for comparison.
8. Why do countries show a different degree of success in incorporating women into formal
politics?
9. Why do political conflicts over immigration arise and are played out differently in
different national contexts?
10. Why do political cultures change? What are the consequences of changes in political
culture?
COURSE DEADLINES AND EXTENSIONS
In order to ensure fairness and equity to the whole class, each student is expected to meet the
course expectations and deadlines as spelled out. Late assignments will be deducted 5% of the
grade per day (excluding weekends). Extensions will be given only under exceptional and
documentable circumstances. It is your responsibility to inform the instructor as soon as it becomes
clear that your work will be late. If you do not communicate in advance, and your reason for being
late does not also explain this lack of communication, then you should be prepared to be penalized
5% per day.
PLAGIARISM & ACADEMIC HONESTY:
Saint Mary’s University 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 Academic Regulation 19 of the Academic Calendar
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. An important excerpt
from the Academic Calendar is appended at the end of this syllabus.
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GRADING SCHEMA
F
D
0-49 50-59
C60-62
C
63-66
C+
67-69
B70-72
B
73-76
B+
77-79
A80-84
A
85-89
A+
90 plus
Downloaded from https://kmbeing.files.wordpress.com/2013/10/knowledge-perception.png.
SCHEDULE OF COURSE READINGS AND THEMES
(Dates and topics might be subject to change)
Week
Sept 9
Sept 14-21
Topic
Readings/Chapter(s)
FALL TERM
COMPARATIVE POLITICAL ANALYSIS
Introduction to
Comparative Politics
The comparative
Chapters 1 and 2 in “Comparative Politics” (pp. 1-45)
approach: Comparing and
to Learn, Learning to
Section 1 and Section 2 in the “Current Debates” (pp. 1Compare
16)
9
Sept 23-30
Formation of the
Modern State
ResearchBase
assignment
due Sept. 25
Chapter 3 in Comparative Politics and the relevant
sections from the case studies (i.e., Mexico, France,
United Kingdom, Germany, and Nigeria)
Section 3 in Current Debates
Michael Norton and Dan Ariely, "Building a Better
America -- One Wealth Quintile at a Time," Perspectives
on Psychological Science vol. 6, no. 1 (2011), pp. 912. (Blackboard)
Sept 28
Due: research
question/topic
of interest
assignment
Oct 5-7
Workshop on Library
Research Skills and
Annotated
Bibliography
Political Economy
Chapter 4 in CP and the relevant sections from the case
studies of United States, UK, Japan and Germany
Oct 14-19
Economic and Social
Development
Text summary
due on Oct.
14th
Theories and Cases:
analyzing the state and
development
Chapter 5 in CP
Country Profiles and Case studies: India, China, Brazil,
and Nigeria
Section 4 in Current Debates
Oct 21
Workshop on writing
research papers
Oct 26
Midterm in class
Oct 28- Nov 2
Democracy and
democratic regimes
Nov 4-9
Research
outline and
Annotated
Bibliography
due Nov. 9
Nov 16-18
Authoritarianism and
Chapter 7 in CP
Authoritarian Regimes
Country Profiles and Case Studies: China, Iran, Russia,
Mexico, Germany, France
Theories and Cases:
Democracy and
Authoritarianism
Chapter 6 in CP
Country Profiles and Case studies: India, China, Brazil,
and United States
Section 5 and 6 in Current Debates
Schmitter, Philippe C., and Terry Lynn Karl. 1991. “What
Democracy Is... and Is Not.” Journal of Democracy 2(3): 7588 (Blackboard)
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Dahl, Robert A. "What political institutions does large-scale
democracy require?" Political Science Quarterly 120.2
(2005): 187. (Blackboard).
Nov 23-30
Contention, Conflict,
Comparative
and Revolutions
Research
Design paper
due on Nov. 30
Dec 2
Review class
Week
Jan 6
Topic
Course refresher
Chapter 12 in CP
Section 11 in Current Debates
WINTER TERM
Readings/Chapter(s)
INSTITUTIONS OF THE GOVERNMENT
Jan 11-18
Constitutions and
Constitutional Design
Chapter 8 in CP
Country Profiles and Case Studies: United Kingdom,
Iran, United States, France, and India
Section 7 in Current Debates
Jan 20-25
Legislatures and
Legislative Elections
Chapter 9 in CP and the relevant sections of the case
studies of UK, Brazil, Ja[an, Germany, and US
Section 8 in Current Debates
Jan 27-Feb 3
Executives and
Executive Selection
Chapter 10 in CP
Case studies: Germany, France, US, Russia, China,
Section 9 in Current Debates
Feb 3
Workshop:
Plagiarism
Feb 8
Political Parties, Party
Systems, and Interest
Groups
Feb 10
Midterm in class
Feb 15-19
WINTER BREAK
POLITICS, SOCIETY AND CULTURE
Feb 22-24
Political participation:
The Power of civil
Research paper society
due on Feb 22
Chapter 11 in CP
Green, December, and Laura Luehrmann. 2007. “Chapter
10. From Ideas to Action: The Power of Civil Society.” In
Comparative Politics of the Third World: Linking
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Concepts and Cases, eds. D. Green and L. Luehrmann,
pp. 187-224. (Blackboard)
Norris, Pippa. "The impact of the Internet on political
activism: evidence from Europe." International Journal
of Electronic Government Research 1.1 (2005): 20.
(Blackboard)
Feb 29- Mar 9
Groups and identities
Chapter 13-14 in CP
Relevant sections in the case studies of UK, Mexico,
Japan, Germany, Nigeria, India, USA, and Brazil
Section 12-13 in Current Debates
March 14-21
Text summary
due March 14
Religion and Ideology
Chapter 15 in CP
Country profiles: UK, Russia, France, Nigeria, Iran
Section 14 in Current Debates
March 23-30
Regional integration
projects: The case of
the European Union
Colomer, Josep M. 2008. “The European Union: A
Federal, Democratic Empire?” In Comparative European
Politics, 3rd edition, ed. By Josep Colomer, pp. 280-306.
London and New York: Routledge. (Blackboard)
Roy H. Ginsberg, “The Internal Dimension of European
Integration,” in Demystifying the European Union: The
Enduring Logic of Regional Integration, 2nd ed., pp. 293315. (Rowman and Littlefield Publishers, 2010).
(Blackboard)
April 4
The Nexus of
Chapter 16 in CP
International Relations Section 15 in Current Debates
and Comparative
Politics
April 6
Course Review. Final
Exam Preparation
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