University of Ghana
Department of Political Science
Welcome to POLI 214 – Introduction to
Comparative Politics
2nd Semester 2013/2014
Lecturer:s Dr. Maame A.A.
Gyekye-Jandoh and Prof. Osei-Hwedie
Lectures: Main Campus: Mon
(5.30-7.20pm - Group A/NNB 2) and Thurs (11.30am-1.20pm - Group B/NNB 1); City
Campus - Fri (10-12am)
e-mail: mgyekyej@yahoo.com; mgjandoh@ug.edu.gh
Office: Room 6, Political
Science Dept. Office hours: Mon: 11.30am-12.30pm; Wed. 10.30-11.15am, and by
appointment
Course Description:
Introduction
to Comparative Politics introduces students to the major concepts and
principles of comparative politics through an intensely interactive and
discussion-driven format. Each session will combine student presentations,
lectures, and discussion in a seminar format to ensure a thorough understanding
of the readings. Considerable emphasis is thus placed on the student’s ability
to, and interest in, participating in discussion and respectful debate.
Starting with methodologies of comparative politics, the course continues with
the application of theories to the study of contemporary regime types and
political phenomena. A wide array of concepts such as nation and ethnicity,
authoritarianism, democracy, and globalization, among others, will be studied
and discussed.
To
complement the theories and methodologies of comparative politics, in order to
provide students with an empirical exposure to real world countries and their
politics, less developed and newly industrializing states will be studied. A
brief overview of the political history of these countries, their political
systems, as well as civil society and its interrelations with the state are some
of the elements this entails. The course is divided in two sections: first, an
examination of political science concepts; and second, regime and country
studies.
Required Text: Patrick O’Neil.
Essentials of Comparative Politics (Norton, 2006, 2010).
Recommended:
Patrick O’Neil and Ronald Rogowski. Essential Readings in
Comparative
Politics (Norton, 2004).
Patrick O’Neil et.
al. Cases in Comparative Politics (Norton, 2007).
John
McCormick. Comparative Politics in Transition (Wadsworth,
2007).
Course Expectations:
- Complete all reading assignments by their due dates
- Participate in class discussions
- Come to class on a regular basis, and write interim assessment and final exam
- Ask questions when you are unsure what the assignment is
- Write complete, clear, concise and well-organized prose on exams
Grading: One Final Exam (70% of final
grade)
Section A Multiple Choice Questions (20 points)
Section B Short Answer Questions (30 points)
Section C An Essay of not more than three pages (20
points)
Interim Assessment (30% of
final grade): A take-home assignment or
in-class test (To Be Determined)
Class Attendance: It is important to attend class in order to
understand the readings and get a good grip of the topic under discussion for a
particular week.
There will be two exams in POLI 214. The exams will consist of multiple choice, short
answer and essay questions. The exams will cover class and assigned readings
and class discussions. A short review will be held in the class period prior to
the date of the exam. Note: Academic
Dishonesty will not be tolerated in this class. (See Student Handbook for
penalties).
Success in POLI 214 will
depend on timely preparation for reading and studying assignments, preparation
for exams and attendance and participation in class discussion. You will be
expected to spend about 8-10 hours on the reading assignments per week.
An Active Learning Approach will be used in class to cover the course material.
This is an interactive mode of learning,
which requires student interaction or
participation in class discussion. In order for this method to be
effective, it is necessary to prepare
and study the lesson before coming to class. In order for an effective
learning atmosphere, please do not come
late to class.
Course Schedule:
PART
I – CONCEPTS IN POLITICAL SCIENCE
Weeks 1 & 2 - Weeks of February 10
& 17, 2014: Course Introduction;
Defining Political Science and Comparative Politics
O’Neil Ch.
1
Recommended: Roy Macridis, “A
Survey of the Field of Comparative
Government.” In O”Neil and
Rogowski (2004), p. 2-10
O'Neil et al. (2007) ch. 1
Weeks 3 & 4 - Weeks of Feb. 24 &
March 3: The State, Nation and Ethnicity
O’Neil Ch. 2 and
Ch. 3
*
Thursday, March 6, Independence Day Holiday; join the Monday class
Recommended: The Economist, “The Global Menace of Local Strife.” In
O’Neil and Rogowski, p. 80-84
Weeks 5 & 6 - Weeks of March 10
& 17: Political Economy
O’Neil Ch. 4
Recommended: David Ricardo,
“On Foreign Trade,” and The Economist,
“Trade Winds.” In O’Neil and
Rogowski, p. 121-122; 122-126
PART
2 REGIME AND COUNTRY STUDIES
Weeks 7, 8 & 9 - Weeks of March 24,
31 & April 7: Regime Change and the Varieties of
Authoritarianism and Democracy
O’Neil Ch.
5 and Ch 6
Recommended: Larry Diamond,
“Thinking about Hybrid Regimes.” In O’Neil
and Rogowski, p. 166-177
Philippe C.
Schmitter and Terry Lynn Karl, “What Democracy
Is … and Is Not.” In O’Neil
and Rogowski, p. 220-229
Weeks 10 & 11 - Weeks of April 14
& 21: Advanced Democracies; United States
O’Neil Ch.
7, p. 161-178; O'Neil et al. Ch. 3
* April 21, Easter Monday
Holiday, join the Thursday class
Weeks 12 & 13 - Weeks of April 28
& May 5: Less Developed and Newly
Industrializing Countries;
Nigeria
Revision
O’Neil Ch. 9,
p. 219-242; O'Neil et al Ch. 13
No comments:
Post a Comment