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Outcomes and Objectives:
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:
1. Define, state, and explain the comparative model we will use in
the course for the purpose of comparing nations to each other.
2. Argue a particular point in connection to the comparative model.
3. Demonstrate communication and analytical skills.
4. Use information learned from the textbook and lectures on exams.
5. Compare and contrast the political cultures, methods of political
socialization, and government institutions of Germany, Japan, China, and
Mexico.
6. Evaluate how the governments and the people interact in each of these
four countries
7. Differentiate and critique the various components of the governments
in each of these four countries.
8. Appraise how the nations we study in comparative government compare
to the United States.
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1. Introduction to the course.
A. Scope and purpose of the course.
B. Review syllabus.
C. Review textbooks.
2. The theoretical framework for the course.
A. How to study comparative government.
B. The theoretical framework of the course.
C. An explanation of the methodology.
Part One: Germany.
3. An Introduction.
A. The geography.
B. The people.
C. The history.
4. Political Culture and Political Socialization.
A. A description of Germany's political culture.
B. A discussion of Germany's political socialization process.
5. Political Interaction and Articulation Between People and Government.
A. Voter participation.
B. Campaigns and elections.
C. Political parties and interest groups.
6. Governmental Institutions.
A. The structure of government.
B. The function of government.
7. An evaluation of Germany.
A. Public policy.
B. Performance.
C. The future.
Part Two: Japan
8. An Introduction.
A. The geography
B. The people.
C. The history.
9. Political Culture and Political Socialization.
A. A description of Japan's political culture.
B. A discussion of Japan's political socialization process.
10. Political Interaction and Articulation Between People and Government.
A. Voter participation.
B. Campaigns and elections.
C. Political parties and interest groups.
11. Governmental Institutions.
A. The structure of government.
B. The function of government.
12. An Evaluation of Japan.
A. Public policy.
B. Performance.
C. The future.
Part Three: China.
13. An Introduction.
A. The geography.
B. The people.
C. The history.
14. Political Culture and Political Socialization.
A. A description of China's political culture.
B. A discussion of China's political socialization process.
15. Political Interaction and Articulation Between People and Government.
A. Voter participation.
B. Campaigns and elections.
C. Political parties and interest groups.
16. Governmental Institutions.
A. The structure of government.
B. The function of government.
17. An Evaluation of China.
A. Public policy.
B. Performance.
C. The future.
Part Four: Mexico.
18. An Introduction.
A. The geography.
B. The people.
C. The history.
19. Political Culture and Political Socialization.
A. A description of Mexico's political culture.
B. A discussion of Mexico's political socialization process.
20. Political Interaction and Articulation Between People and Government.
A. Voter participation.
B. Campaigns and elections.
C. Political parties and interest groups.
21. Governmental Institutions.
A. The structure of government.
B. The function of government.
22. An Evaluation of Mexico.
A. Public policy.
B. Performance.
C. The future.
23. An Overview of the Course.
A. A compare and contrast of the four countries.
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Gabriel Almond and B. Powell, COMPARATIVE POLITICS TODAY, 7th ed.,
Prentice-Hall, 2000.
Charles Hauss, COMPARATIVE POLITICS: DOMESTIC RESPONSES TO GLOBAL
CHALLENGES, 3rd ed., Wadsworth Publishing, 2000.
Thomas Magstadt, NATIONS AND GOVERNMENTS: COMPARATIVE POLITICS IN
REGIONAL PERSPECTIVE, 3rd ed., Bedford/St. Martin's Publisher, 1998.