FALL 2022
POLS 235 - INTRODUCTION TO COMPARATIVE POLITICS Department of Political Science
University of Alberta
COURSE INSTRUCTOR
Instructor: Noureddin Mahmoud Zaamout Office: Tory 11-15
Office Hours: By appointment Email: [email protected] CLASS TIME AND LOCATION
Time: Tuesday and Thursday at 12:30pm-1:50pm Room: T1-1005
COURSE OVERVIEW & OBJECTIVE
This course introduces students to the study of comparative politics (CP) as a subfield of political science. CP is concerned with the study of politics and political systems around the world and is distinguished from other subfields in political science by its reliance on the comparative methodology. CP seeks to make sense of how politics is experienced in different countries and is focused on addressing questions such as: Why are some states democratic while others are not?
What explains the emergence of social movements? What explains the disparity in development between the Global North and South? This course will guide student through the application of conceptual and theoretical tools for engaging in CP. During weeks 1-2, students will be introduced to the development of the subfield of CP and the comparative methodology. Students will be trained to think conceptually and apply the comparative methodology, theories and concepts to make sense of the issues that will be discussed throughout the course. During weeks 3-14, students will be introduced to select primary issues/themes in CP, including the state, democracy and democratization, authoritarian regimes, and democratic breakdown, institutions and government, executives and political parties, contentious politics and social movements, race and gender, identity politics, development and ideology and populism. Throughout the course, students will reflect on how theories and issues of comparative politics effects people in their daily lives.
COURSE GOALS
By the end of this course students will be able to:
▪ Develop a broad understanding of comparative politics as a subfield of study in political science;
▪ Develop the capacity to conduct social science research and employ the comparative methodology;
▪ Formulate academic questions, design research, develop and test hypothesis;
▪ Develop an understanding of qualitative and quantitative research methodologies;
approaches, and applications;
▪ Think critically about course-materials and assigned readings;
▪ Engage in advanced-level courses in comparative politics.
COURSE FORMAT
This course will consist of both lectures and tutorials that students are expected to attend.
Attendance and participation will be graded.
COURSE PREREQUISITES
POLS 101 is a prerequisite for this course. Students without this prerequisite should speak with the instructor and/or the Department of Political Science before registering in this course. At the request of an instructor, the Department may cancel your registration if you do not have the required course prerequisites. For more information regarding the policy about course outlines, grading, and related matters can be found in Section 23.4(2) of the University Calendar.
REQUIRED TEXBOOK
J. Tyler Dickovick; Jonathan Eastwood; David B. MacDonald. (2020). Comparative Politics:
Integrating Theories, Methods and Cases. New York: Oxford University Press (First Canadian Edition).
IMPORTANT DATES
First Day of Class: September 1, 2022 Add/Delete Date: September 15, 2022 Withdrawal Date: December 1, 2022 Last Day of Class: December 8, 2022 ASSESSMENTS
Component Weighting Date
Attendance and Participation 10% Full term
Midterm Examination 30% October 18
Major Research Paper 30% November 29
Final Exam 30% TBA
Attendance and Participation (10%)
Participation in class discussions is essential to support a well-rounded understanding of each week's topic for you and other students. Students should be prepared to respectfully express their views on the readings, lectures, and class discussions. You will be graded on your attendance and the quality of your comments. The mark for attendance and participation is a cumulative score which involves the following: attendance in lectures and seminar discussions, the quality and quantity of participation in seminar discussions, small group or individual in-class exercises, and engagement in the presentations of other groups.
Midterm Examination (30%)
The midterm examination will consist primarily of multiple choice and short answer questions.
The exam will draw on materials from both the lectures and readings. It will cover all the
materials discussed prior to the date of the exam. Students are recommended to keep up with the weekly readings and attend the lectures and tutorials regularly.
Major Research Paper (30%)
You are required to write a research essay that answers a single research question that directly ties in with the themes of the course. Papers should be around 2,000 words, between 8-10 pages in length (double-spaced, Times New Roman font, size 12) not including the bibliography. They should cite at least 10 sources, including at least 8 academic sources that must come from
academic journals and/or books. There is no preference for referencing style, however consistency is necessary. Please include a word count at the end of your paper. Papers that exceed the word limit will be graded up to the word limit. Please include a word count at the end of your paper. Papers that exceed the word limit will be graded up to the word limit.
Final Exam (30%)
The final exam is cumulative and will consist of multiple-choice, short answers and essay questions. The timing/location of the exam will be determined later in the semester and will be available on Beartracks. Students are recommended to keep up with the weekly readings and attend the lectures and tutorials regularly.
GRADING SCALE
Descriptor Percentage Letter Grade
Grade Point
Excellent 95-100%
90-94%
85-89%
A+
A A-
4.0 4.0 3.7
Good 80-84%
75-79%
70-74%
B+
B B-
3.3 3.0 2.7
Satisfactory 67-69%
63-66%
60-62%
C+
C C-
2.3 2.0 1.7
Poor 55-59%
50-54%
D+
D
1.3 1.0
Failure 49% or less F 0
COURSE SCHEDULE
WEEK/THEME DAY/TOPIC ASSIGNED READINGS Week 1:
Introduction to The Course
SEPTMBER 1:
Welcome and Course Outline
▪ No readings assigned.
Week 2:
Introduction to Comparative Politics and Methodology
SEPTMBER 6:
Research Questions, Concepts, Empirical Evidence, and the Comparative Method
▪ Chapter 1: The Comparative Approach: An Introduction, pp. 1-19.
SEPTMBER 8:
Theories, Hypothesis Testing and Evidence
▪ Chapter 2: Theories, Hypothesis and Evidence, pp. 20-36
Week 3: The State
SEPTMBER 13: The State in Comparative Politics
▪ Chapter 3: The State, pp. 38-62
▪ Country Profile and Cases: The United States, 484-473
▪ Country Profile and Cases: Mexico, pp. 434- 443
SEPTMBER 15:
Tutorial 1 – “The State”
▪ No readings assigned.
Week 4:
Democracy and Democratization
SEPTMBER 19 & 22:
Democracy and Democratization
▪ Chapter 6: Democracy and Democratization, pp. 107-128
▪ Country Profile and Cases: United Kingdom, pp. 474-483
▪ Country Profile and Cases: Brazil, pp. 354- 362
Week 5:
Authoritarian Regimes and Democratic Breakdown
SEPTMBER 27:
Authoritarian Regimes and Democratic Breakdown
▪ Chapter 7: Authoritarian Regimes and Democratic Breakdown, pp. 129-152
▪ Country Profile and Cases: China 375-384
▪ Country Profile and Cases: Russia, 453-462
▪ Country Profile and Cases: Iran, 415-423 SEPTMBER 29:
Tutorial 2 –
“Democracy,
Democratization, and Authoritarianism”
▪ No readings assigned.
Week 6:
Institutions and Government
OCTOBER 4:
Constitutions, Legislatures and Legislative Elections
▪ Chapter 8: Constitutions and Constitutional Design, pp. 154-177
OCTOBER 6:
Legislatures and Legislative Elections
▪ Chapter 9: Legislatures and Legislative Elections, pp. 178-201
▪ Country Profile and Cases: Canada, 363-374
Week 7:
Executives and Political Parties
OCTOBER 11:
Executive Branch of Government &
Political Parties and Interest Group
▪ Chapter 10: Executives, pp. 202-224.
▪ Chapter 11: Political Parties, Party Systems and Interest Groups, pp. 225-256
OCTOBER 13: Guest Lecture – Ms. Victoria
▪ No readings assigned
Bachmann “The Public Sector”
Week 8:
Midterm Exam;
Race and Gender
OCTOBER 18:
Midterm Examination
▪ No readings assigned OCTOBER 20: Race,
Ethnicity and Gender
▪ Chapter 14: Race, Ethnicity and Gender, 287-307.
Week 9:
Contentious Politics and Social Movements
OCTOBER 25: Social movements and Revolutions
▪ Chapter 12: Revolutions and Contention, pp.
248-269.
OCTOBER 27:
Guest Lecture – Mr.
Anthony Agu
“Civil Society in the Fourth Industrial Revolution”
▪ Yuval Noah Harari (2020). “Building the future in the 21st century: In conversation with Yuval Noah Harari.” HTS Teologiese Studies / Theological Studies 76(1).
Week 10:
Identity Politics and Ideology
NOVEMBER 1:
Nationalism and National Identity;
Ideology and Religion in Modern Politics
▪ Chapter 13: Nationalism and National Identity, 270-286.
▪ Chapter 15: Ideology and Religion in Modern Politics, 307-326
NOVEMBER 3:
Tutorial 3 – “Identity Politics”
▪ No readings assigned
Reading Week – No Classes NOVEMBER 7-10
Week 11:
Political Economy
NOVEMBER 15:
Political Economy
▪ Chapter 4: Political Economy, pp.351-371
▪ Country Profile and Cases: Germany, pp.395-404
NOVEMBER 17:
Tutorial 4 – “Political Economy”
▪ No readings assigned
Week 12:
Development
NOVEMBER 22:
Introduction to Development
▪ Chapter 5: Development, pp. 63-83.
▪ Country Profile and Cases: Brazil, pp. 400- 412
▪ Country Profile and Cases: Nigeria, pp. 444- 452
NOVMBER 24:
Tutorial 5 – “Political Economy and
Development”
▪ No readings assigned
Week 13:
Comparative Politics and International Relations
NOVMBER 29:
Comparative Politics and International Relations
▪ Chapter 16: Comparative Politics and International Relations
DECEMBER 1:
Tutorial 6
“Comparative Politics and International Relations”
▪ No readings assigned
Week 14 Final Exam Review
DECMBER 6-8: Final Exam Review
▪ No readings assigned
COURSE POLICIES
Attendance: Regular attendance is essential for optimal performance in any course. In cases of potentially excusable absences, please notify your instructor by e-mail as soon as possible.
Regarding absences that may be excusable and procedures for addressing course components missed as a result, consult sections 23.3(1) and 23.5.6 of the University Calendar.
E-mail Policy: Email is an effective method of communication that allows instructors and students to connect with one another. When emailing your instructor, please make sure that your email is respectful of your instructor and their time. More information on email etiquettes can be found here: https://www.colorado.edu/amath/sites/default/files/attached-
files/email_etiquette_1.pdf
Assignment Submission Policy: Students are expected to submit hardcopies of their assignments. Electronic submissions will not be accepted.
Policy for Late Assignments: Assignments that are submitted past the deadline will be deducted a penalty of 5% a day to a maximum of five business days. Assignments will not be accepted beyond the five-day limit. Submission via email will not be accepted.
Late Attendance: Students are expected to be in class on time. Students who are inexcusably tardy will be only be awarded partial attendance grade.
Missed Tests and Assignments: Students are responsible to keep up with course exams/assignments. Students with excusable absences may be able to make up lost
exams/assignment. Regarding absences that may be excusable and procedures for addressing course components missed as a result, consult sections 23.3(1) and 23.5.6 of the University Calendar.
Deferred Final Examination: Deferral of term work is a privilege and not a right; there is no guarantee that a deferral will be granted. Misrepresentation of Facts to gain a deferral is a serious breach of the Code of Student Behaviour. For information on how to apply for a deferred exam see “I Missed my Final Exam, Now What?”
STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES
Academic Integrity: The University of Alberta is committed to the highest standards of academic integrity and honesty. Students are expected to be familiar with these standards
regarding academic honesty and to uphold the policies of the University in this respect. Students are particularly urged to familiarize themselves with the provisions of the Code of Student Behaviour (online at www.governance.ualberta.ca) and avoid any behaviour which could potentially result in suspicions of cheating, plagiarism, misrepresentation of facts and/or participation in an offence. Academic dishonesty is a serious offence and can result in suspension or expulsion from the University.
All students should consult the Academic Integrity website. If you have any questions, ask your instructor.
An instructor or coordinator who is convinced that a student has handed in work that he or she could not possibly reproduce without outside assistance is obliged, out of consideration of fairness to other students, to report the case to the Associate Dean of the Faculty. See the Academic Discipline Process .
Recording of Lectures: Audio or video recording, digital or otherwise, of lectures, labs, seminars or any other teaching environment by students is allowed only with the prior written consent of the instructor or as a part of an approved accommodation plan. Student or instructor content, digital or otherwise, created and/or used within the context of the course is to be used solely for personal study, and is not to be used or distributed for any other purpose without prior written consent from the content author(s).
Disclaimer: Any typographical errors in this syllabus are subject to change and will be
announced in class and posted on eClass. The date of the final examination is set by the Registrar and takes precedence over the final examination date reported in this syllabus.
STUDENT RESOURCES
The best all-purpose website for student services is: https://www.ualberta.ca/current-students.
Accessibility Resources: (1 – 80 SUB)
The University of Alberta is committed to creating work and learning communities that inspire and enable all people to reach their full potential. Accessibility Resources promotes an
accessible, inclusive, and universally designed environment. For general information to register for services visit the Accessibility Resources webpage.
The Academic Success Centre: (1-80 SUB)
The Academic Success Centre offers a variety of workshops on effective study and exam strategies. There are in-person and online sessions available for a modest fee.
The Centre for Writers: (1-42 Assiniboia Hall)
The Centre for Writers offers free one-on-one writing support to students, faculty, and staff.
Students can request consultation for a writing project at any stage of development. Instructors can request class visits and presentations.
Health and Wellness Support: There are many health and community services available to current students. For more information visit the Health and Wellness Support webpage.
Office of the Student Ombuds: The Office of the Student Ombuds offers confidential interviews, advice and support to students facing academic, discipline, interpersonal and financial difficulties.
LEARNING AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT
The Faculty of Arts is committed to ensuring that all students, faculty and staff are able to work and study in an environment that is safe and free from discrimination and harassment. It does not tolerate behaviour that undermines that environment.
The University of Alberta acknowledges that we are located on Treaty 6 territory, and respects the histories, languages, and cultures of the First Nations, Métis, Inuit, and all First Peoples of Canada, whose presence continues to enrich our vibrant community.
Policy about course outlines can be found in the Evaluation Procedures and Grading System section of the University Calendar.
Copyright: Noureddin Zaamout, Faculty of Arts, University of Alberta (2022)
