Dr. William M. Downs

This course introduces students to the comparative study of political systems, a branch of political science crucial to our understanding of change and continuity in the post-Cold War world. Our primary aim is to reach a heightened level of sophistication in our knowledge of the issues, concepts, and methods of comparative political analysis. To this end we look closely at key world trends and political problems (e.g., social and economic disparities, transitions to democracy, resurgent nationalism, religious fundamentalism, role of women in politics) and systematically compare system, process, and policy in a cross-section of the world's regimes: advanced industrial democracies (Britain, France, Germany, Japan), communist systems (China), former colonial states groping toward democracy (Nigeria), and states attempting to consolidate immature democracy (Russia and Brazil). Areas targeted for comparison include: political socialization processes, elite recruitment, political party systems and electoral competition, legislative processes and executive power, and policy performance.

The following required text is available for purchase at the university bookstore:

Students will be evaluated along four dimensions: attendance/participation, three brief quizzes, one short take-home writing assignment, and an exam.

Attendance/Participation: The Maymester format condenses a normal 15-week course into 15 daily class sessions. Missing one day thus becomes tantamount to missing a full week--i.e., you don't want to do it. Therefore, consistent attendance is expected and students will sign an attendance sheet at each class. Absences for medical reasons will be excused only when accompanied by a written note from the attending physician. Each class session will provide a mixture of lecture and discussion, and all students are encouraged to contribute thoughtful comments and ask pertinent questions. Attendance/participation constitutes 10% of the course grade.

Quizzes: Each Friday (May 19, May 26, June 2) there will be a brief quiz at the beginning of class. These quizzes will simply be a check on your reading and comprehension of the material covered during that particular week. The three quizzes will constitute a combined total of 30% of your grade, and they should be viewed as guides to be used in preparation for the exam.

Writing Assignment. While the brevity of the Maymester does not permit the usual full-length research and writing assignments for this course, you will each write a short (approximately 1000-1250 words) "thought piece" about one of the cases covered in the course. The paper is worth 10% of the course grade. On the second day of class you will be asked to sign up for one of the following topics:

Exam: The exam for this course is scheduled for Wednesday, June 7 from 10:15-12:15. The exam is worth 50% of the course grade.

Attendance/Participation 10%

Short Paper 10%

Quizzes 30%

Exam 50%

100%

May 15 Introduction to Course

1. Issues in Comparative Politics and a Theoretical Framework for Comparison

• Almond et al., Chapters 1-2
• Internet site of the day: http://www.politicalresources.net/home.htm

• Almond et al., Chapter 3
• Internet site of the day: http://www.newsdirectory.com/news/press/

18 Interest Articulation

• Almond et al., Chapter 4
• Internet site of the day: http://www.idealist.org/

1. Interest Aggregation and Political Parties

• Quiz 1
• Almond et al., Chapter 5
• Internet site of the day: http://www.agora.it/elections/parties.htm

22 Government and Policymaking

• Almond et al., Chapter 6
• Internet site of the day: http://www.uni-wuerzburg.de/law/index.html

23 Public Policy

• Almond et al., Chapter 7
• Internet site of the day: http://www.policy.com/community/othgov.html

24 Politics in the United Kingdom

• Almond et al., Chapter 8
• Internet site of the day: http://www.ukpol.co.uk/

25 Politics in France

• Almond et al., Chapter 9
• Internet site of the day: http://www.elysee.fr/ang/index.shtm

• Quiz 2
• Almond et al., Chapter 10
• Internet site of the day: http://www.bundesregierung.de/index.html

30 Politics in Japan

• Almond et al., Chapter 11
• Internet site of the day: http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e642.html

31 Politics in Russia

• Almond et al., Chapter 12
• Internet site of the day: http://users.aimnet.com/~ksyrah/ekskurs/ruspol.html

• Almond et al., Chapter 13
• Internet site of the day: http://harmony.wit.com/chinascape/

2 Politics in Brazil

• Quiz 3
• Almond et al., Chapter 15
• Internet site of the day: http://www.infobrazil.com/

1. Politics in Nigeria

• Almond et al., Chapter 18
• Internet site of the day: http://www.africanews.org/west/nigeria/

7 Exam (10:15-12:15)

Note: Students are responsible for the information contained in the University’s Academic Honesty Policy http://www.gsu.edu/~wwwfhb/sec409.html. Plagiarism will result in a failing grade and possible disciplinary action.

Note: The last day to drop and receive a "W" is May 24.