POLSC 135 1st Edition Lecture 1Outline of Last Lecture I. NoneOutline of Current Lecture: SyllabusCurrent Lecture: II. Syllabus: - INTRODUCTION TO COMPARATIVE POLITICS: Emizet F. Kisangani, Waters 223/Phone: 532-0447- Purpose of the Course:1. To introduce students to political systems, structures, and processes2. To make students acquainted to exciting work being done in the cutting edge of comparative politics and challenge students by confronting them with this work. - The course is organized around a number of questions:1. What is comparative politics?2. What is a state and how did it emerge?3. What is the constitutional basis of political authority? 4. Why some countries are democracies and others dictatorships? 5. How does economic life affect political outcomes? 6. What are the bases of citizens’ political cognition, values, and beliefs? 7. How and why do people participate in politics? 8. Why do some countries have many political parties whereas others have only a few? These notes represent a detailed interpretation of the professor’s lecture. GradeBuddy is best used as a supplement to your own notes, not as a substitute.9. How do governments form and what are the material/normative implications associated with different types of government? 10. How can executives and bureaucracies be kept responsive and responsible? 11. What factors account for changes in political institutions and policies? 12. What are the policy consequences of democracies? - Textbook and Supplements:William R. Clark, Matt Golder, and Sona N. Golder, Principlesof Comparative Politics 2nd edition (Los Angeles: Sage/CQ Press, 2013).- Use of the web to access students’ materials: Students can access online resources suchas quiz questions, flashcards, brief chapter summaries, links to important data as well as materials on games at http://college.cqpress.com/principlescp- Projects and Examinations: Attendance is required. Studies indicate that students who attend lectures tend to do better.You will not be competing against each other; therefore, you have every incentive to help each other succeed in this course so that your group gets a decent grade. - Group Assignments 50% (lowest grade B): You will have four home works to complete. Make sure to work in groups of no more than three persons. You can also work alone if you so desire. However, “Four is a crowd.” - Due on February 20, 2015- Due on March 27, 2015- Due on April 10, 2015- Due on May 1, 2015- b. Mid-term 20%March 13, 2015- c. Final-exam 30%Wednesday May 13, 2015 from 11:50AM to 1:40PM Central Time.- Student Holiday: March 16 – 20, 2015- Arrangements for students with disabilities:- I would like to hear from anyone in this class who has a disability that may require some modification of the seating, testing, or other class requirements. We can work outwhatever arrangements are needed. Please see me after class or during my office hours. - 6. Teaching strategy and philosophy: My strategy is to use “engaged lecture.” During the lecture, I will routinely stop and ask you to state in your own words your understanding of what I say. I will do this by a random process. Here is also a thought to keep in mind throughout this semester and your life here at K-State: “Books are not made to be believed, but to be subjected to inquiry” Umberto Eco, The Name of the Rose. - Memorization of major concepts and critical thinking are required. Thus, you should memorize concepts raised in the course, such as democracy, and subject these concepts to critical inquiry. Ask yourself whether or not they help you understand what you see happening in the world around you. Politicians, not political scientists, argue vociferously over many issues and concepts you will encounter this semester. Try it and you will feel “Great.” Note: You will be given 30 concepts that will be in your mid-term &final.- WEEK 1 - I Introduction- Read: pp. 1-18. - II What is Science? - Read: Chapter 2 - WEEKS 2-3- III What is Politics?- Read: Chapter 3 - IV The Origins of the Modern State - Read: Chapter 4- WEEKS 4-5 - V Democracy & Dictatorship: Conceptualization & Measurement- Read: Chapter 5 - VI Economic Determinants of Democracy & Dictatorship- Read: Chapter 6 - VII Cultural Determinants of Democracy & Dictatorship- Read: Chapter 7 - WEEK 6- VIII Democratic Transitions- Read: Chapter 8 - IX Democracy or Dictatorship: Does It Make a Difference?- Read: Chapter 9- WEEK 7- X Varieties of Dictatorship- Read: Chapter 10 - WEEK 8- XI Problems with Group Decision Making- Read: Chapter 11 - WEEKS 9-10- XII Democratic Regimes: Making and Breaking Governments- Read: Chapter 12 - WEEKS 11-12- XIII Elections and Electoral Systems- Read: Chapter 13- WEEK 7- X Varieties of Dictatorship- Read: Chapter 10 - WEEK 8- XI Problems with Group Decision Making- Read: Chapter 11 - WEEKS 9-10- XII Democratic Regimes: Making and Breaking Governments- Read: Chapter 12 - WEEKS 11-12- XIII Elections and Electoral Systems- Read: Chapter 13- WEEK 13- XIV Social Cleavages and Party Systems- Read: Chapter 14 - WEEKS 14-15- XV Institutional Veto Players- Read: Chapter 15 - XVI Consequences of Democratic Institutions & Concluding Remarks - Read: Chapter 16 - FINAL EXAMINATION: - Wednesday May 13, 2015 from 11:50 AM to 1:40PM Central