POLSC 135 1st Edition Lecture 1 Outline of Last Lecture I None Outline of Current Lecture Syllabus Current 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 processes 2 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 Principles of Comparative Politics 2nd edition Los Angeles Sage CQ Press 2013 Use of the web to access students materials Students can access online resources such as 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 out whatever 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 Time