PART I: A SURVEY OF CONCEPTUAL AND THEORETICAL PART II: THE CONTEXT OF POLITICSMarch 3 First Mid-term Examination PART III: POLTICS - Panye, Chapters 10 & 11. PART IV: GLOBALISM AND THE PLIGHT OF THE THIRD WORLDMay 12 (8: 30- 11:20 a.m.) Final ExaminationUNIVERSTIY OF NEVADA, LAS VEGAS Department of Political Science Political Science 407I POLITICS OF DEVELOPING AREAS Spring 2006 Professor Mehran Tamadonfar Friday, 8:30-11:20 a.m. Office: WRI B225 & B 212 WRI C237 Office Hours: M-R 8-11 a.m. And By Appointment Phone # 895-5258 e-mail: [email protected] PURPOSE AND SCOPE: This course in Comparative Politics is designed to : 1. introduce students to the dominant methodological and theoretical orientations in the study of developing systems within the discipline of Political Science 2. provide students with an in-depth comparative analysis of the socio-economic and political systems, processes, and policies in the Third World. There is no consensus among scholars over the methodological and theoretical orientation in the study of these systems. In this course, we will examine the controversies and develop a framework of study incorporating the mainstream orientations in the field. When applied, this contextual framework will facilitate a comparative approach to such diverse issues as poverty, uneven economic development, political and economic dependencies, political instability and democratic and authoritarian proclivities in the Third World. In understanding common patterns and unique characteristics, we will rely on examples from Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East. REQUIRED TEXTS: 1. Richard Payne and Jamal Nassar, Politics and Culture in the Developing World, Second Ed., New York: Pearson Longman:2006. 2. B.C. Smith, Third World Politics, Theories of Political Change and Development, second ed., Bloomington: Indiana University Press; 2003. 3. Joseph N. Weatherby, et.al., The Other World, Issues and Politics of the Developing World, sixth ed., New York: Pearson Longman; 2005. SUGGESTED TEXT:* 1. James A. Bill and Robert L. Hardgrave, Jr., Comparative Politics, The Quest for Theory, Washington, D.C.: University Press of America; 1981. *On reserve at the reserve desk of the Lied LibraryCOURSE CONDUCT AND EVALUATION POLICY: Students are required to attend class sessions regularly and participate in discussions effectively. No tape recording of lectures is allowed under any circumstances. Make sure to be well prepared for every class session by reading your assignments prior to each lecture. Failure to attend class regularly and to be prepared for discussion will adversely affect your grade and might result in an administrative drop. Course grades will be determined as follows: 1. Attendance and Participation in discussions…………………….10% of the grade. 2. First Mid-term Examination on March 3………………………...30% of the grade. 3. Second Mid-term Examination on March 31…………………….30% of the grade. 4. A non-cumulative Final Examination on May 12………………..30% of the grade. Failure to take your exams on the scheduled dates will result in failing grades for the missed exams. Only oral exams will be arranged for those missing exams due to legitimate and compelling excuses. No make-ups for the final examination will be administered. COURSE OUTLINE: Note: The following topics and times are subject to change, if necessary, in order to accommodate your interests ad needs. Jan. 20 Introduction and Overview PART I: A SURVEY OF CONCEPTUAL AND THEORETICAL FRAMEWORKS Jan. 27 Traditionalism /Legal-formalism, Behavioralism and Post-Behavioralism Recommended Reading: - Bill, Chapters I, III & VIII. - Smith, Chapter 1. - Feb.3 Modernization, Westernism, Developmentalism , revisionism, and Dependencia &10 Required reading: - Smith , Chapters 2, 3 & 4. - Payne, Chapter 6. PART II: THE CONTEXT OF POLITICS Feb. 17 & 24 Demography ( population and ethnicity), geography ( land and its wealth) & economy ( agrarian politics, industrialization and urbanization) Required reading:-Weatherby, Chapter 1. - Payne, Chapters 7, 4 , 12 & 13. March 3 First Mid-term Examination March 10 & History, Society, and Culture: 24 - Colonialism, neo-colonialism and de-colonization - Social stratification, gender politics, and migration - Socialization and cultural dualism Required Reading: - Smith, Chapter 9. - Weatherby, Chapters 2 & 4. - Payne, Chapters 2, 3 & 8. March 31 Second Mid-term Examination PART III: POLTICS April 7 - Institutions (state, the military, leadership, bureaucracy, etc.) Required Reading: - Smith, Chapters 5,6 & 7. - Weatherby, Chapters 5,6,7,8 & 9. - Panye, Chapters 10 & 11. April 14 & 21 -Political Change and Instability (revolutions and coups), Public Policies Required Reading: - Smith, Chapters 10, 11 & 12. - Payne, Chapter 9. PART IV: GLOBALISM AND THE PLIGHT OF THE THIRD WORLD April 28 - The Political Economy of Underdevelopment - The New World Order -Neo-Realism and Third World Dilemmas Required Reading: - Weatherby, Chapter 3. - Payne, Chapter 5 & 14.May 5 - Concluding Remarks and Review Session May 12 (8: 30- 11:20 a.m.) Final Examination Note: I do enforce any and all university and system rules and regulations including rules pertaining to religious observances, academic dishonesty and disabilities. Please see disability statement below. “If you have a documented disability that may require assistance, you will need to contact the Disability Resource Center (DRC) for coordination of your academic accommodation. The DRC is located in Reynolds Student Services Complex (SSC) in RM 137. The phone number is 895-0866 ( TDD 895-0652) and www.