T, Th 11-12:15, DuSable 242 POLS
260
Section four Spring 2007
Professor Danny Unger, dunger@niu.edu Zulauf
105
Office hours: , 753-7042
Introduction to Comparative
Politics
This course introduces students to the comparative study of politics,
providing information about how different kinds of political systems work and
the terms and concepts necessary to study different political systems. We will
look at politics in a general way and analyze in greater depth the political
systems of particular nations:
A major purpose of Political Science 260 is to open your minds to the diversity of political systems found in the world. The course aims to help you study these systems critically and with an open mind. The more you learn about politics and people throughout the world, the more you will understand about yourself and your own government.
We will read a comparative politics text by Michael G. Roskin entitled Countries and Concepts. In 2006, the book was revised (9th edition,) making it relatively up-to-date. To benefit as much as possible from class meetings, students should do the assigned readings before the class for which for which they are assigned.
In addition, students will benefit enormously by keeping up with current news developments. This will help them raise questions and to understand current affairs around the world. In addition to using web sites noted in the text as well as other online sources, students should consider subscribing to publications such as The Economist, The Christian Science Monitor, or The New York Times.
Required text
-Michael G. Roskin, Countries and Concepts, Politics, Geography, Culture, Ninth Edition, Prentice Hall
Assigned readings not found in Roskin will be available online.
Course requirements
Class attendance and participation 20
Quizzes (best three scores), 7 points X 3 21
Midterm exam 24
Final exam 35
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
The Department of Political Science Statement on Academic Integrity
Cheating will not be tolerated in class. There are many types of cheating. The NIU Undergraduate Catalog states that "Students are considered to have cheated if they copy the work of another during an examination or turn in a paper or an assignment written whole or in part by someone else….If any student aids another student in either cheating or engaging in plagiarism, both students will be held responsible for their behavior."
Schedule of lectures and readings
Assigned readings should be done prior to the class meetings for which they are assigned.
Introduction to concepts in
comparative politics
January 16, Course mechanics and requirements assignments
January 18, Film on
Roskin, Ch.1
January 23, Nations and states; political culture and cleavages
Roskin, Ch.2
Philippe C. Shmitter and Terry Karl, “What Democracy Is…and Is Not,” Journal of Democracy, Summer 1991
January 25, Comparing and explaining political systems
Roskin, Ch.3
January 30, Roskin, Ch.4
“Public Opinion: Is There a
Crisis?” The Economist,
Feburary 1, Roskin, Ch.5
February 6, Roskin, Ch.6
Russell J. Dalton, Susan E. Scarrow, and Bruce E. Cain, “Advanced Democracies and the New Politics,” Journal of Democracy, January 2004
February 8,
“Interest Groups: Ex Uno,
Plures,” The Economist,
Donlay T. Studlar, “The British General Election of
2005,” AP Comparative Government and
Politics, 2005
Quiz
February 13, Roskin, Chs.7-8
February 15, Roskin, Ch.9
Peter Ford, “French Inch Toward
Social Reform,” The Christian Science
Monitor,
February 20, Roskin, Ch.10
“Political Parties: Empty
Vessels?” The Economist,
February 22, Roskin, Ch.11
February 27, Roskin, Ch.12
Quiz
March 1, Roskin, Ch.13
Mark Landler, “Angela Merkel: Politician Who Can
Show a Flash of Steel,” The New York
Times,
March 6, Roskin, Chs.14-15
March 8, Roskin, Ch.16
Richard Bernstein and Mark Landler, “Only Marginal
Reforms Are Expected in
Spring Break
March 20, European Union
Roskin, Ch.17
March 22, Midterm examination
March 27, Roskin, Ch.23
March 29, Roskin, Chs.24-5
April 3, Roskin, Ch.26
Norimitsu Onishi, “Koizumi’s Party, Backing
Reforms, Wins by Landslide,” The New York
Times,
April 5, Roskin, Ch.27
April 10, Roskin, Ch.28
Joseph Kahn, “
April 12, Roskin, Ch.29-30
April 17, Roskin, Ch.31
April 19, Roskin, Ch.32
Peter Lavelle, “What Does Putin Want?” Current History, October 2004
Brief cases
April 24,
April 26,
Roskin, Ch.34
Rajan Menon, “
Quiz
May 1,
Roskin, Ch.35
Ronald Inglehart and Pippa Norris, “The True Clash of Civilizations,” Foreign Policy, March/April 2003
May 3, Summing up
May 8, final exam, 10-11:50 a.m.