COURSE INFORMATION
INTRODUCTION TO COMPARATIVE POLITICS, GOVT 130.002H
MTh 2:10-3:35 PM, Fall 2006
Professor Diane Singerman
Ward 303
Office Hours, 242 Ward: Wedn. 11-4 PM; Mon/Th 3:30-4:30
& By Appt., x2362
(Entry to my office is through the Government Dept, Ward 230 or
Department of Justice, Law, and Society, Ward 270)
dsinger@american.edu
Teaching Assistant, Tyler Case tyler.l.case@gmail.com
Office Hours: T/F 12:45-2:00
The goal of the course is to provide the comparative insights and methodological tools for
students to understand politics in a variety of systems and cultures. To that end, we will focus
particularly on the development of the state under different historical conditions, and in
different socio-economic contexts, the rule of law, questions of political legitimacy, the
boundaries between public and private arenas, political institutionalization, political violence,
nationalism, genocide, the politics of identity, and cultural and ethnic diversity.
As a foundation course in Curriculum Area Three of the General Education Program,
International and Intercultural Experience, this course examines the historical, cultural,
economic, social and political forces behind contemporary issues and developments in several
nations. In addition the course will examine ethics and morality in politics by examing the role
of the U.S. and the international community in preventing genocide.
Five particular goals will be stressed throughout this course:
1. The ability to analyze and discuss politics critically and to understand the assumptions and
arguments of theories that produce policies and political behavior;
2. Increased empirical knowledge of the history, politics, and cultures of the countries and
areas we study;
3. The ability to write about politics, theory, and political change critically and persuasively;
4. The ability to understand the role of ethics and morality in politics.
5. The ability to understand and analyze different cultures, peoples, movements, and political
contexts in a constructive and informed fashion.
This course integrates resources from the internet that are available from electronic journals,
international news sources, individuals, organizations, political movements, opposition groups,
and governments. Some of the information that we will use in this course will allow students to
access information from various perspectives about politics in Rwanda and the Sudan. At the
conclusion of the course, students will create an online site to understand and analyze the
unfolding conflict (genocide) in Darfur. Guided exercises will allow students to specialize on a
particular area of expertise about the conflict, developed in student working groups. Further
assignments and details about this part of the course will be developed in dialogue with
students.
Course Requirements:
This course is built upon the assigned readings. Lecture and discussion will augment the class
readings, but completing the course readings, according to the syllabus’ schedule, is
absolutely crucial to performing well in this course.
1. Timely completion of all assignments according to the deadlines in the syllabus so that
students can participate in classroom discussion and debate. Informed classroom
participation, which cannot occur without good classroom attendance, will constitute 10% of
your final grade. Please note: ten percent of a final grade is significant and students should
take the requirement to participate as seriously as writing assignments and exams.
2. The completion of all written and group assignments which focus on the assigned readings,
and independent research of print materials and web resources. All written work will be
graded on the basis of its argumentation, originality, organization, clarity, formatting, grammar,
and intellectual depth. I will hand out a "contract" that delineates my expectations for the
assigned paper in class and students will hand in the contract with the paper. All written
assignments must be type-written (laser-printed) and follow scholarly conventions for research
papers (consult Kate Turabian, A Manual for Writers, available in the book store). Sloppy
and/or late work will be penalized (unless arrangements for an extension are made before the
assignment is due).
3. GRADING for the course will be calculated in the following manner:
Participation: Informed classroom participation and group presentation on readings
throughout the semester. (Please note, verbosity in class does not equal informed
classroom participation. Despite varying comfort levels, it is important that everyone
participate in class.): 10%
Five-page critical analysis on nationalism, its uses by political elites, and the
development of the state: 15%.
First Exam: 25%
Second Exam: 30%
Darfur Case Study Grade Participation/Work/Cooperation: 20%
I encourage students who have any questions, who wish to discuss any concerns or foresee
any difficulties in the course to come speak with me during office hours or to telephone me. If
serious problems develop over the course of the semester please notify me as soon as
possible, particularly if health matters or absences keep you from completing
assignments.
Articles or book chapters that are followed by "RESERVE" in the syllabus, can be found
through online electronic reserves, available to AU students, and available for reading or
printing on your computer when online.
The following books are available for purchase at the Campus Store and will be on reserve at
the library.
Julie Flint & Alex de Waal. Darfur: A Short History of a Long War. London: Zed
Books, 2005.
John Hutchinson and Anthony D. Smith, eds. Nationalism. (Oxford University
Press, 1994).
Philip Gourevitch, We Wish to Inform You that Tomorrow We Will be Killed with
Our Families: Stories from Rwanda. (Farrar, Straus, and Giroux, 1998).
Gianfranco Poggi, The State: Its Nature, Development and Prospects. Stanford:
Stanford University Press, 1990.
Samantha Power, A Problem from Hell: America and the Age of Genocide. New
York: Basic Books, 2002.
General Education Program
This is a foundation course in CURRICULAR AREA 3: INTERNATIONAL AND
INTERCULTURAL EXPERIENCE. For second-level courses in this area in SPA and other
schools please see the course offerings listed in the Gen Ed program.
Phone/Computer Use in Class
Computer use will not be allowed. If student presentations or in-class group activities
demand the use of a computer, then they may be used for this purpose only. If any students
have special learning needs that depend on computer use, please speak with the professor. In
addition, please turn off all cell phones during class, which also cannot be used in class.
Academic Integrity Code
Standards of academic conduct are set forth in the University's Academic Integrity Code. It is
expected that all examinations, tests, written papers, and other assignments will be completed
according to the standards set forth in this code. By registering, you have acknowledged your
awareness of the Academic Integrity Code, and you are obliged to become familiar with your
rights and responsibilities as defined by the Code. Violations of the Academic Integrity Code
will not be treated lightly, and disciplinary action will be taken should such violations occur.
Please see me if you have any questions about the academic violations described in the Code
in general or as they relate to particular requirements for this code.
Please note that the final, up-to-date version of the syllabus will be on blackboard, available at
www.blackboard.american.edu. This version is only a DRAFT. The professor may change
aspects of the course’s content and requirements as the course proceeds.