NORTHERN
Department of Political Science
Instructor: Srie Ramli
POLS 260
Office: ZH 422 Section 01
Phone: 753-7044
MWF, 10-10.50
Office hours:
DuSable 459
E-mail: sramli@niu.edu
FOREIGN AND COMPARATIVE POLITICS
This course is an introduction to
the comparative study of government and politics. It seeks to understand how political
authority is organized and how it operates in a variety of nations. In its effort to understand why political
systems vary in form and substance across time and space, the course will
examine both historical processes of political change and development and
contemporary political institutions, practices and policies.
The course focuses on six
important contemporary states:
The objective of this course is
that students who successfully complete this course can have the ability to
examine different political systems by contrasting and comparing aspects of
them and by seeking generalizations about them.
Michael G. Roskin, Countries and Concepts: Politics, Geography,
Culture, 8th edition (Prentice Hall, 2003)
In-class handouts
Videos (if time and scheduling
permit)
Course Requirements and Grading:
Students are expected to keep up
with the readings, which means that you should
complete each reading assignment by the time we begin the corresponding section
of the course. The lectures will
parallel and complement the readings, but students cannot count on the lectures
repeating the reading. The exams will be
based in equal parts on the reading and lectures.
Attendance and class participation
Attendance at all class sessions
is expected and I will check attendance regularly. An attendance score will be
calculated as the percentage of the class sessions that you attend, and this
score will determine 15% of your course grade. The participation portion of
your final grade is designed to reward those students who came to class
prepared. Satisfactory class
participation requires that students are present and attentive as well as
contributing to class discussion in a manner that reflects they have read the
required materials.
After the first week of class, I
request that you try to sit in approximately the same place to facilitate our
learning to associate names with real live people and quickly monitoring
attendance.
The Learning Environment
Respect for the learning community
and the learning process would normally include coming to class on time and
remaining in ones seat, requesting permission to speak and exclude persistent
lateness, leaving the class room during class time (I will count any
"walkouts" as absences unless the student has permission or there is
an emergency), studying for another class, and reading a newspaper. Comments that are not relevant to the ongoing
discussion, off the point, disruptive to discussion, insensitive to others, or
attempt to dominate the discussion will not be rewarded.
Exams
There will be three exams. Two of these will be the midterms in class on
February 23 and March 29. Each one will
count for 20% of your course grade. The
final exam is comprehensive, but approximately more than half of the questions
will be on material covered after the second exam. The final exam will count for 35% of your course
grade and take place during the regularly scheduled final exam period (May 3).
The format of each exam will be a combination of essay, short answer,
and multiple choice.
NO MAKE-UP EXAMS WILL BE GIVEN, except at the discretion of the
instructor in the case of emergencies.
If there are any problems or conflicts, contact the instructor well in
advance of the exam.
Quizzes
There will be 6 unannounced
quizzes given in class throughout the semester.
These quizzes will deal with the reading assigned for that particular
day and the best 4 will be counted toward your final grade.
Components of Final Grade:
A.
Attendance and participation
= 15%
B.
Quizzes =
10%
C.
Midterm exam (1) = 20%
D.
Midterm exam (2) = 20%
E.
Final exam = 35%
Course grades will be distributed
as follows:
Final average and any extra
credit
Final Grade
90-100%
A
80-89%
B
65-79%
C
50-64%
D
Below 50%
F
Miscellaneous
A.
NO INCOMPLETE will be
given for reasons other than a medical or personal emergency and then only
after presentation of verifiable documentation.
Academic hardship does not qualify as an acceptable excuse.
B.
Handouts, including
study guides, are privilege for students who attend class on a regular
basis. No student is entitled to
supplemental materials simply because they are registered for the course.
C.
Email: please allow 24
hours during the week and 36 hours during the weekend for receipt and response.
D.
Important dates to
remember:
February 23
midterm 1
March 29 midterm 2
May 3 Final exam
Statement Concerning Students with Disabilities
Under Section 504 of the
Rehabilitation Act of 1973, NIU is committed to making reasonable
accommodations for persons with documented disabilities. Those students with disabilities that may
have some impact on their coursework and for which they may require
accommodations should notify the Center for Access-Ability Resources (CAAR) on
the fourth floor of the
Department of Political Science Web Site
Undergraduates are strongly
encouraged to consult the Department of Political Science web site on a regular
basis. This up-to-date, central source
of information will assist students in contacting faculty and staff, reviewing
course requirements and syllabi, exploring graduate study, researching career
options, tracking department events and accessing important details related to
undergraduate programs and activities.
To reach the site, go to http://polisci.niu.edu
Undergraduate Writing Awards
The Department of Political Science will recognize, on an annual basis,
outstanding undergraduate papers written in conjunction with 300-400 level
political science courses or directed studies. Authors do not have to be
political science majors or have a particular class standing. Winners are
expected to attend the Department's spring graduation ceremony where they
will receive a certificate and $50.00. Papers, which can be submitted by
students or faculty, must be supplied in triplicate to a department
secretary by
one with the student's name and one without the student's name. Only papers
written in the previous calendar can be considered for the award. However,
papers completed in the current spring semester are eligible for the
following year's competition even if the student has graduated.
Course Schedule
January 12
Introduction
Concepts: Nation and State, Comparing
Polities
January 14, 16
Read: Roskin chapter 1
January 19
MLK Day no class
January 21, 23 Political Systems,
Political
Institutions, Political Process
January 26 Impact of the Past Read: Roskin
Ch.2 pp 22-35
January 28, 30, February 2 Political Institutions Roskin ch.3 pp. 36-52
February 4, 6 Political Culture, Patterns of
Interaction, Quarrels
Roskin ch 4 pp 53-65
Roskin ch.5 pp.66-78
Roskin ch.6 pp.
79-93
February 19 Impact of the Past
Roskin ch.7 pp. 96-112
February 11, 13, 16 Political Institutions Roskin ch. 8 pp. 113-129
February 18, 20 Political Culture, Patterns of
Interaction Roskin ch
9-10 pp. 130-161
Roskin ch. 11 pp. 162-175
February 23 Midterm 1
February 25 Impact of the Past Roskin
ch. 27 pp. 416-446
February 27, March 1, 3 Governance and
Policy Making
March 5 Representation and Participation
(March 6-14: Spring break)
Have a nice break!
March 15 Impact of the Past
Roskin ch. 22 pp. 340-353
March 17, 19, 22 Key Institutions Roskin ch. 23 pp. 354-366
March 24, 26 Political Culture, Pol.
Interactions, Quarrels
Roskin ch. 24 pp. 367-381
Roskin ch.
25 pp. 382-395
Roskin ch. 26 pp. 396-411
March 29
Midterm 2
March 31 - April 2 The Making of
April 5, 7, 9 Governance and Policy Making
April 12 Representation and Participation
April 14, 16, 19 Traditional and Colonial influence,
April 21, 23,
April 26 Reformation, Looking
Ahead
April 28
Review Study Guide
April 30 (reading day, no class)
May 3 Final Exam 10-11.5