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At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:
1. Define key terms and concepts used in comparative politics.
2. Apply basic concepts of comparative politics to identify similarities and differences
between and among states, as well as political institutions, processes, and policies.
3. Compare and contrast the patterns of political and economic development of industrialized
democracies, current and post-communist states, and newly-industrialized developing states.
4. Examine how identity, political socialization and political participation impact
political culture in both Western and non-Western states.
5. Examine how individual countries deal with domestic issues and globalization
challenges that impact our daily lives by comparing their public policy approaches
and outcomes.
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I. Comparative Politics
A. Comparison of States
B. Comparison of Political Regimes
C. Comparison of Political Culture and Participation
D. Comparison of Political Economies
E. Comparison of Public Policy Issues and Challenges
F. Interplay of National, Regional, and Global Forces
II. Industrialized Democracies
A. Origins of the Democratic States
B. Presidential, Parliamentary and Semi-Presidential Systems
C. Political Culture and Participation
D. Public Policy
1. Domestic Trends and Challenges
2. Regional and Globalization Forces and Challenges
E. Selected Countries - Case Studies on countries determined by the instructor.
1. Historical Development of the State
2. Political Institutions
3. Political Culture and Participation
a. Party System and Elections
b. Ideology
c. Identity (class, ethnic, national)
4. Political Economy
5. Public Policy
a. Domestic Policy Issues
b. Regional and Globalization Forces and Impact
III. Former and Current Communist States
A. The Institutional Bases of Communist States
B. Command Economies
C. Collapse of Communist Regimes
D. Post-communism
E. Selected Countries - Case Studies countries determined by the instructor.
1. Historical Development of the State
2. Political Institutions
3. Political Culture and Participation
a. Party system and elections
b. Ideology
c. Identity
4. Political Economy
5. Public Policy
a. Domestic Trends and Challenges
b. Regional and Globalization Forces and Impact
IV. Newly Industrialized and Developing States
A. Evolution of Politics in the Developing States
1. Imperialism and its Legacy
2. Postcolonial Political Regimes
B. Political Economy of Development and Underdevelopment
C. Political Culture and Participation
D. Public Policy
E. Selected Countries - Case Studies countries determined by the instructor.
1. Historical Development of the State
2. Political Institutions
3. Political Culture and Participation
a. Party System and Elections
b. Ideology
c. Identity
4. Political Economy
5. Public Policy
a. Domestic trends and challenges
b. Regional and Globalization Forces and Impact
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1. Read and study 30 to 50 pages in the text and additional readings weekly
2. Two to four essay examinations including a final. Examinations may include additional
multiple-choice components
3. Analytical writing (2000-3000 words). These may be in the form of analytical essays,
reaction or research papers or discussion posts
4. Optional assignments may include written summaries of current events, oral presentations,
simulations, or group work
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Comparative Politics: Domestic Responses to Global Challenges. 10th ed. Hauss, Charles. Cengage. 2019
Cases and Concepts in Comparative Politics. O'Neill, Patrick and Fields, Karl and Share, Don. Norton. 2017
Comparative Politics: Integrating Theories, Methods, and Cases. 2nd ed. Dickovick, Tyler and Eastwood, Jonathan. Oxford University Press. 2015
