POLS 260: Foreign and Comparative Politics

POLS 260: Foreign and Comparative Politics

Spring 2004, MWF, DuSable 459

Section 2: 12:00 – 12:50 p.m.

Instructor: N. J. Yi-Wohlers Office Hours: M: 10:30-12:00 p.m. & by appointments

Office: DuSable 461 (753-1818) E-mail: soldate@aol.com (Best way to reach me)

Course Overview

Welcome to the world of comparative politics. This course is designed to introduce and examine political systems outside of the United States. Since it is impossible to study all 170+ nation-states in the world, we will focus on several countries that serve as examples of different styles of politics conducted in various settings. Great Britain, France, Germany, Japan, Russia and China are selected to illustrate their political history, key political institutions, and political culture. By focusing on these countries, this course has the following goals. First, it will give you a chance to study the politics of particular countries you probably know little about. Second, it seeks to convey an analytical approach to the study of politics and to provide you with an opportunity to reflect on some of the essential questions, old and new, with which students of politics have to grapple. Your new understandings should enhance your role as citizen in a democracy, i.e., enable you to make more informed judgments on the policies that our leaders propose to follow in dealing with these nations.

Course Policies

The Learning Environment. Each student’s active involvement in, commitment to, and responsibility for their education are clearly required. Students are expected to conduct themselves in ways that indicate respect for the learning community and the learning process. Respect for the learning community precludes such behavior as persistent tardiness, leaving the room during class time, falling asleep, reading the newspaper, and studying for another class. All cell phones must be turned off when class begins. If a cell phone rings during class, the owner will be asked to leave and the absence will be unexcused.

Readings: Please purchase a copy of the textbook for this course: Michael G. Roskin. Countries and Concepts: Politics, Geography, Culture, 8^th edition (Prentice Hall, 2004) at the NIU Bookstore or Village Commons Bookstore. Some short readings may also be handed out in class or placed on reserve at Founders Memorial Library’s Reserve desk.

Lectures: Lectures will parallel and complement, not just merely repeating the material in the textbook. You are responsible for the material covered in the readings as well as in the lectures for the exams. You are expected to complete all the reading assignments for each date before coming to class.

Handouts: Handouts, including study guides, are a privilege for those students who regularly attend class. No student is entitled to supplemental materials simply because they are registered for the course.

Adjustments in Course Schedule: While I will try to follow the course schedule outlined accordingly, reasonable adjustments may be made if unforeseeable or uncontrollable circumstances so warrant. Any changes in the class schedule will be announced in class.

Incompletes: No incompletes 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.

Course Requirements and Grading

Exams: There are 3 exams. The format of each exam will be a combination of objective questions and essay. MAKEUP EXAMS WILL NOT BE GIVEN, except at the discretion of the instructor in case of emergencies. In such cases, the instructor must be notified prior to the exam date with verifiable documentation.

Exam Schedule: Exam 1 - February 23 Exam 2 - April 2 Exam 3 - May 3

Journals: Beginning at the second week, each student is required to turn in minimum 2 full page essay (double spaced / font 12) dealing with political issues in foreign countries outside of the United States. The first half of the paper should describe the event, while the second half of the paper should analyze the selected political event in relation to the class readings/lectures and your personal opinion.

These short essays are due on Friday at the end of class every two weeks. (See journal deadline below) You may turn in up to 7 journals and the 5 best will be counted toward your final grade. Late journals will not be accepted.

Some excellent sources of international news include the hard copy and online versions of the New York Times, the Washington Post, the Christian Science Monitor and the BBC World News.

Journal due dates:

Journal 1 - January 23 Journal 4 - March 19 Journal 7 - April 28

Journal 2 - February 6 Journal 5 - April 2

Journal 3 - February 20 Journal 6 - April 16

Quizzes: There will be 7 unannounced quizzes given at the beginning of class throughout the semester. These quizzes will deal with the readings assigned for that particular day and the 5 best will be counted toward your final grade. Make-up quizzes will not be given.

Attendance and Participation: - Please note that attendance accounts for half of your participation grade. Attendance will be taken at the beginning of every class. After the first week, all students will sit in permanently assigned seats to facilitate the checking of attendance.

Keep in mind that frequent tardiness will adversely affect your grade.

- Please do not leave the class early without prior permission, as this is very distracting. I will count any

"walkouts" as absences unless the student has permission or there is an emergency.

- If you have 2 or fewer recorded absences, 2 points will be added to your course average. If you have 3 or 4

recorded absences, 1 point will be added to your course average. (This is the only extra credit available).

- The participation portion of your final grade is designed to reward those students who come to class prepared. Satisfactory class participation requires that students are present, attentive and contribute to class discussion in a manner that reflects they have read the required materials. Your participation will be a key technique for covering materials in the textbook and relevant current events. In addition, to further facilitate class participation, regular essay exercises may be given.

Grading: 3 Exams (65%)

Journals (12.5%)

Quizzes (10%)

Participation (including the essay exercises) (12.5%)

Additional Important Policies

Academic Integrity: Students are expected to know and comply with NIU policies on academic integrity. Any student found guilty of cheating will receive and "F" for the course. He or she may also be subjected to additional sanctions imposed by the University.

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 Health Services Building. CAAR will assist students in making appropriate accommodations with course instructors. It is important that CAAR and instructors be informed of any disability-related needs during the first two weeks of the semester.

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 February 29, 2004. All copies should have two cover pages -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.

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.

COURSE SCHEDULE

	TOPICS	READINGS (R = Roskin)
Introduction: Comparing Political Systems.
January 12	Introduction to Course
January 14 and 21	The Concept of Country and Looking for Quarrels	R: Chapter 1.
January 23	Comparing Polities: Democratization	Chapter 1 continued.
GREAT BRITAIN.
January 26 – 30	Impact of the Past and Political culture	R: Chapter 2 and 4.
February 2 – February 6	Government Institutions and Election and Parties	R: Chapter 3 and 5.
February 2 – February 6	Quarrels	R: Chapter 6.
FRANCE.
February 9 – 13	Impact of the Past and Political Culture	R: Chapter 7 and 9.
February 16 – 20	Government Institutions and Election and Parties	R: Chapter 8 and 10.
February 16 – 20	Quarrels	R: Chapter 11.
February 23	EXAM # 1.
GERMANY.
February 25 – March 1	Impact of the Past and Political Culture	R: Chapter 12 and 14.
March 3, 15 – 17 (No Classes 3/5 – 3/12)	Government Institutions and Election and Parties	R: Chapter 13 and 15.
March 3, 15 – 17 (No Classes 3/5 – 3/12)	Quarrels	R: Chapter 16.
JAPAN.
March 19 - 24	Impact of the Past and Political Culture	R: Chapter 22 and 24.
March 26 - 31	Government Institutions and Election and Parties	R: Chapter 23 and 25.
March 26 - 31	Quarrels	R: Chapter 26.
April 2.	EXAM # 2.
RUSSIA.
April 5 - 9	Impact of the Past and Political Culture	R: Chapter 17 and 19.
April 12 - 16	Government Institutions and Election and Parties	R: Chapter 18 and 20.
April 12 - 16	Quarrels	R: Chapter 21.
CHINA.
April 19 - 23	Impact of the Past and Political Culture	R: pg. 416-422 and pg. 430-433.
April 26 - 28	Governmental Institutions	R: pg. 424-428 and pg. 436-439.
April 26 - 28	Quarrels	R: pg. 440-447.
May 3. (Monday: 12 – 1:50 pm.)	EXAM # 3.