POSC 231: Comparative Politics (WI) (GE)
Prerequisites: POSC 110 or POSC 120
Credit Hours: (3)
Gives students a grounding in the comparative study of politics. Considers political
regime types, political violence, political identity, gender and politics, political
economy of development, and religion and politics.
Note(s): General Education and Cultural or Behavioral Analysis designated course. Students
cannot receive credit for both POSC 130 and POSC 231.
Detailed Description of Course
The course will include three major units:
1.The nature of comparative political analysis.
a.The historical development of comparative politics and its relation to the other major sub-fields of political science;
b.Methodological approaches to comparative politics and their relation to methodological issues in political science as a whole;
c.The relationship of comparative politics to political science and to other disciplines (and their components) which study human societies and activities from a comparative perspective.
2.The principal themes or topics of comparative politics, including but not limited to:
a.Various types of classifications of political regimes;
b.Political culture;
c.Political identities, nationalism and ethnicity;
d.Comparative political institutions and institutional arrangements (constitutions and legal systems; systems of representation and voting; interest groups and political parties;
e.Theories and topics in the study of political development and in the political economy of developing, industrial, and post-industrial political regimes.
3.An in-depth consideration of a particular theme or topic as it relates both to the nature of comparative political analysis and to contemporary politics. For instance, a likely topic for consideration might include the impact of globalization on various kinds of societies or the effect of global economic crises on prospects for the consolidation of democracy in selected political regimes.
Detailed Description of Conduct of Course
Since POSC 231 will involve imparting a considerable amount of substantive knowledge to students with limited previous background in comparative politics, a lecture format will be necessary at times. Students will be encouraged to discuss ideas with one another, and class participation and verbal communication will be encouraged and emphasized. Additionally, informal discussion groups may be formed to achieve this objective. At various times, students will be asked to write informal reaction papers to ideas expressed in the discussions and readings. Written tests and examinations will employ primarily an essay and short-answer format. Additionally, students may be asked to write analytical essays, reviews, and/or annotated bibliographies. In sum, students who successfully complete POSC 231 will have had the opportunity to develop the sorts of oral and written communication and research skills needed in upper-level courses in comparative politics and political science courses generally.
Goals and Objectives of the Course
Students successfully completing POSC 231 will be able to:
1. Describe behaviors, beliefs, cultures, social institutions, and/or environments.
2. Analyze the interactions of behaviors, beliefs, cultures, social institutions, and/or environments.
3. Demonstrate proficiency in the writing conventions of a discipline.
4. Communicate through writing their understanding of disciplinary content and/or texts.
As part of its classification as a writing intensive course under the REAL curriculum, POSC 231 does the following:
1. Substantially integrates sole-authored student writing within the course objectives and assessments.
2. Uses discipline-specific reading strategies to facilitate effective written communication.
3. Engages students in a recursive writing process that includes revision supported by consistent, detailed instruction and the incorporation of feedback.
Assessment Measures
Assessment may include: class participation, in-class simulations and negotiations, short papers, and exams.
Other Course Information
None
Review and Approval
March 31, 2016
April 2009
March 01, 2021