Comparative Politics (POLS 250)

2019 Spring
Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
Political Science(POLS)
3
6
Ersin Mahmut Kalaycıoğlu kalaycie@sabanciuniv.edu,
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English
Undergraduate
SPS101 SPS102
Formal lecture
Communicative
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CONTENT

In this course, some of the critical tools for comparative analysis will be introduced. The units of comparative analysis can vary. Sometimes what is compared is the historical transformation on the road to becoming nation-states which may shed some light onto different political regime outcomes in various countries. Comparative analysis is done through pattern depiction, for instance, in three different countries such as Germany, Italy, and Japan that have experienced fascist regimes. Students learn to see what these cases have in common in terms of their political transformation that explains the rise of fascism in these particular cases and not in others. It is through such analyses that students equip themselves with tools towards making predictions about political regime changes. In sum, it is such tools that make political analysis possible. This course involves an analysis of the major modes of transformation and political modernization leading to various regime outcomes in the twentieth century. In the first part of the semester, the meaning of pre-modern and modern politics will be unraveled and particular state-formation and nation-building processes will be studied in the Western European context. In the second part, some of the critical features of the emerging political ideologies that accompany these processes will be studied. The third part of the course will focus on comparative electoral systems, political party structures, the dynamics among the legislative, executive and judiciary bodies of government in key West European countries throughout the twentieth century.

OBJECTIVE

In this course, some of the critical tools for comparative analysis will be introduced. Comparative analyses in this course are mostly done through pattern depiction in key European countries such as England, France, and Germany regarding political transformation, ideologies and political regimes. It is through such analyses that students equip themselves with tools towards making predictions about political regime changes. It is such tools that make political analysis possible.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

  • Upon successful completion of the course, students should be able to a) define the main objectives of comparative analysis in political science b) identify the basic concepts used in comparative analysis c) compare and contrast different political systems

PROGRAMME OUTCOMES


1. Understand the world, their country, their society, as well as themselves and have awareness of ethical problems, social rights, values and responsibility to the self and to others. 5

2. Understand different disciplines from natural and social sciences to mathematics and art, and develop interdisciplinary approaches in thinking and practice. 2

3. Think critically, follow innovations and developments in science and technology, demonstrate personal and organizational entrepreneurship and engage in life-long learning in various subjects; have the ability to continue to educate him/herself. 4

4. Communicate effectively in Turkish and English by oral, written, graphical and technological means. 5

5. Take individual and team responsibility, function effectively and respectively as an individual and a member or a leader of a team; and have the skills to work effectively in multi-disciplinary teams. 2


1. Develop knowledge of theories, concepts, and research methods in humanities and social sciences. 3

2. Assess how global, national and regional developments affect society. 5

3. Know how to access and evaluate data from various sources of information. 3


1. To analyze national and global events from various social science perspectives. 3

2. To demonstrate theoretical and practical knowledge on political science and international relations and to state views and positions with advanced oral and written skills. 3

3. To compete for increasing career opportunities in national and global institutions. 3

4. To (be able to) understand and follow the changes in political behaviours, opinions and structures. 4

5. To gain the ability to make logical inferences on social and political issues based on comparative and historical knowledge. 5


1. Understand and follow changes in patterns of political behavior, ideas and structures. 5

2. Develop the ability to make logical inferences about social and political issues on the basis of comparative and historical knowledge. 5

ASSESSMENT METHODS and CRITERIA

  Percentage (%)
Final 30
Midterm 50
Participation 20

RECOMENDED or REQUIRED READINGS

Readings

Barrington Moore, Boston, Social Origins of Dictatorship and Democracy, Boston, Beacon Press, 1966.
Roy C. Macridis and Mark L. Hulliung, Contemporary Political Ideologies: Movements and Regimes, Boston, Toronto, Little Brown and Co,1996.
Michael Roskin, Countries and Concepts: Politics, Geography, Culture, New Jersey, Prentice Hall, 2004.