COURSE OUTLINE AND READING LIST FOR POLI 476: POLITICS OF INDUSTRIALIZED COUNTRIES – USA/EUROPE

University of Ghana

Department of Political Science

Second Semester, 2017/2018 Academic Year

Lecture: Fridays, 9:30am – 11:20am, JQB 23

Lecturers: Dr. Rosina Foli

Office:  Room 12, Political Science Dept.

Office Hours: Tuesdays 10am – 12pm (or by Appointment)

E-mail: rkfoli@gmail.com

Course Title	Politics of Industrialized Countries: US/Europe
Course Code	POLI 476
Purpose and Objectives	Course Description and Objectives: This is a comparative study of the institutional, economic and social politics of industrialized countries using two countries as examples. The countries selected for this academic year is United States of America and Germany. We will begin by learning about the field of comparative politics: its importance, methods and areas of interests and then, explore the political institutions of the selected industrialized countries as we delve into issues of representation and participation. The next section of the course will consider state and market relations, social policy, the welfare state and social welfare policies. Finally, students will examine the countries’ response to current phenomenon such as terrorism, immigration and the refugee crisis. Learning outcomes Students would be able to: Identify and describe the differences in national political systems and governance structures in selected industrialized countries Explain how the national differences reflect policy choices in fields such as social welfare, immigration, and response to crisis outside their borders Develop an appreciation of how ideology, leadership and history shapes governance systems and influences policy options Course Requirements: Students are expected to do the assigned weekly readings and participate in class discussion and group assignments, which are critical to this course. As part of the course, there will be interim assessment (IA) throughout the semester. The IA comprises an in-class exam, a research essay and class participation. The in-class exam will cover what we studied in the first half of the semester. Research essay: students are required to submit a research essay of 5 pages (typed, double-spaced, in twelve-point font) which is analytical in nature rather than a descriptive effort. Subsequent to the introductory class topics for the research essay will be discussed. In addition to the IA, will write a final examination on the entire course material at the end of the semester.  Grading System The breakdown of marks for the course assignments and final examination is as follows: ·         Interim Assessment - 30% o   Class Participation (Includes attendance and contribution to class discussions) 5% (For the whole semester) o   Research essay:           10% o   In class exam 15%      ·         Final Examination: 70%          ·         Total Mark/Grade: 100% Students should note that academic dishonesty will not be tolerated in this class.  (See University Handbook for penalties). The course material builds over time, and early mastery of the topics is critical to understanding later content. The exams are intended to encourage students to keep up with readings and course content. The comprehensive exams will encompass all lectures (including guest speakers), readings and class discussions. Please note to be successful in this course: ·         Read materials in advance of class and participate in class discussion. ·         Review materials regularly ·         Be abreast with contemporary issues internationally. Some sources for international news are Financial Times, the Washington Post, the online BBC news service, the New York Times and The Economist (which can be accessed through the library)
Week No.	Date	Lecture Course	Tutorials	Venue	Assessment
1	9th   February, 2018	a)      Introductions b)      Course overview		JQB 23
2	16th February, 2018	Introduction to comparative politics. ·   Why study politics comparatively ·   Overview of conceptual debates on the following questions: what explains political behavior? Who rules? Where and Why?		JQB 23
3	23rd February, 2018	Governing Institutions in Democracies v  Executive and Legislatures – Presidential vs. Parliamentary Regimes: Power and Accountability v  Judiciary v  Federalism		JQB 23
4	2nd March, 2018	Governing Institutions in Democracies v  Executive and Legislatures – Presidential vs. Parliamentary Regimes: Power and Accountability v  Judiciary v  Federalism		JQB 23
5	9th March, 2018	Institutions of Participation and Representation            v  The Electoral System v  Political Parties and Party Systems v  Civil Societies		JQB 23
6	16th March, 2018	Institutions of Participation and Representation            v  The Electoral System v  Political Parties and Party Systems v  Civil Societies		JQB 23
7	23rd March, 2018	The Market, Capitalism and the State v  Capitalism v  Key Economic Debates: Should the state intervene in the economy? Under what circumstances?		JQB 23	Interim Assessment: In-Class Exam
8	30th March, 2018	Good Friday	No lectures
9	6th April, 2018	The Market, Capitalism and the State v  Capitalism v  Key Economic Debates: Should the state intervene in the economy? Under what circumstances?		JQB 23
10	13th April, 2018	Public Policies when Markets Fail v  Social Policy o   Welfare states o   Should the state provide social welfare? v  Healthcare and Health Policy v  Environmental Problems and Policy		JQB 23
11	20th April, 2018	Public Policies when Markets Fail v  Social Policy o   Welfare states o   Should the state provide social welfare? v  Healthcare and Health Policy v  Environmental Problems and Policy		JQB 23	Interim Assessment: Research Essays due.
12	27th April, 2018	Responses to Current Global Phenomenon v  Migration v  Terrorism v  Responses to the refugee crisis		JQB 23
13	4th May, 2018	a)      Revision	Revision	JQB 23
14	7th – 11th May, 2018	Revision Week (No lectures)
15 -16	12th – 27th May, 2018	End of Semester Examinations

REQUIRED AND RECOMMENDED READINGS

v  Orvis, Stephen and Carol Ann Drogus, eds. 2014. Introducing Comparative Politics: Concepts and Cases in Context. 3rd Edition. Los Angeles: CQ Press. (Various chapters)

v  Todd, Landman, 2008. Issues and Methods in Comparative Politics: An Introduction. Third Edition. New York: Routledge (Chapter 1)

v  Pérez-Liñán, A. (2005, February). Democratization and constitutional crises in presidential regimes: Toward congressional supremacy? Comparative Political Studies, 38(1), 51–74.

v  Campbell, J. L., & Pedersen, O. K. (2007, March). The varieties of capitalism and hybrid success: Denmark in the global economy. Comparative Political Studies, 40(3), 307–332.

v  Linz, Juan José. Presidential or parliamentary democracy: does it make a difference? 2005. http://pdf.usaid.gov/pdf_docs/PNABJ524.pdf

v  Zakaria, Fareed. "The rise of illiberal democracy." Foreign affairs (1997): 22-43.

v  John GerringStrom C. ThackerCarola Moreno. (2008) Are Parliamentary Systems Better? Comparative Political Studies Vol 42, Issue 3, pp. 327 - 359

v  Jean Tirole. (2014) Market Failures and Public Policy. Prize Lecture, December 8, 2014. https://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/economic-sciences/laureates/2014/tirole-lecture.pdf

v  Toth, F. (October 2012). The Choice of Healthcare Models: How Much Does Politics Matter? International Political Science Review 34(2). 159-172.

v  Hacker, J. S. (2004). Privatizing risk without privatizing the welfare state: The hidden politics of social policy retrenchment in the United States. American Political Science Review, 98(2), 243-260.