PSCI 100:
Contemporary Ideologies and Politics

Spring Semester, 1998
MWF, 10:00-10:50 in Kauke 2

Instructor: Matthew Krain
Kauke 9
(330) 263-2456
mkrain@acs.wooster.edu

Office Hours:
Monday, 11-12; Tuesday, 8:30-9:30; Wednesday, 9-10
and by appointment

Course Description | Readings | Exams | Assignments: Short Papers | Participation | Grading | Notes | Schedule of Topics and Readings
Links to Country Resources:
Great Britain | Germany | European Union | Russia | China | India | Mexico | Nigeria

General Comparative Politics Links

COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course is an introduction to the study of political science from a comparative perspective. We will compare and contrast different political systems and ideologies with an eye towards the use of these comparisons in the evaluation of current situations. The ultimate goal of this class is to aid students in the development of a knowledge base and a set of critical skills necessary to act as both analyst of and citizen of the current "shrinking" world. To that end we will explore different political systems, processes, and the relevant challenges facing them. We will also examine the ideas which drive political (inter)actions. In particular, through the use of intensive and comparative study of a few key cases, we will examine key concepts in politics, including: legitimacy, institutions, constitutions, election, public policy, the role of the state, political economy, transitions, development, conflict and cooperation, and identity.

READINGS
We will be using the following books:

Charles Hauss (1997). Comparative Politics: Domestic Responses to Global Challenges. Second Edition. West Publishing Company: Minneapolis/St. Paul.

Christian Soe, ed. (1998). Annual Editions: Comparative Politics 98/99. Dushkin/McGraw-Hill.

Supplementary readings will be placed on reserve in the main library, and are listed below. To access them simply click on the highlighed links.

All readings MUST be completed by the class session for which they are assigned. They will be necessary background for lectures and discussion, and you will be held responsible for them, both in class and on exams.

All readings MUST be completed by the class session for which they are assigned. They will be necessary background for lectures and discussion, and you will be held responsible for them, both in class and on exams.

Finally, you are expected to keep up with news around the world. This will require you to get your news from two or more of the following sources:

  • 1) a major national or international newspaper such as The New York Times, The Christian Science Monitor, or The Wall Street Journal
  • 2) a major news website such as the above papersˆ sites, MSNBC-Online, or CNN-Online
  • 3) a major news magazine such as The Economist, Time, Newsweek, or US News & World Report
  • 4) major public news outlets with comprehensive news coverage such as NPRˆs National Public Radio News (89.1 on the radio) or PBSˆs The News Hour with Jim Lehrer

    EXAMS
    There will be three exams during the semester. The first exam will focus specifically on the first half of the semester. The second exam will focus on primarily on the second section, but may include elements that are cumulative. The final exam WILL BE cumulative, but at least one section of it will draw most heavily from the materials from the last section of the class. Exams will be some combination of multiple choice and essay questions. Cheating WILL NOT be tolerated, and will result in automatic failure for the course!

    ASSIGNMENTS: SHORT PAPERS
    There are no typical 'semester papers' for this class. Instead, you will be required to submit four short assignments. They will be created as the semester progresses in order that they remain fresh and topical, and that they complement what is being done in the classroom. As such, instructions for these assignments will be handed out in class on an assignment-to-assignment basis.

    For more information on paper writing and proper citation format,
    see the following web sites:

    On Writing Papers | | Citation Guides

    For more on the Extra Credit Assignment, click HERE.

    PARTICIPATION
    Participation will be encouraged and required. Due to the short period of time we will have in which to cover a great deal of material, your input and feedback is essential to the smooth and efficient running of the class. My hope is that the classroom will contain an atmosphere in which ideas and opinions will be welcomed and addressed. Discussion may have to be curtailed, however, in the interests of covering the material.

    GRADING
    The grades will be assigned as follows:

    20% = Exam #1
    20% = Exam #2
    30% = Exam #3 (Final)
    20% = Short Papers (Assignments #1-4, 5% each)
    10% = Participation / Etc. (*)

    (*) "Etc." refers to other factors such as attendance, promptness, professionalism, overall improvement, and other intangibles, to he evaluated and assigned at the discretion of the instructor.

    NOTES
    Note #1: Assignments are due at the beginning of class on the due date. Any missed assignment or unexcused exam absence is subject to an automatic failing grade for the course (in other words, you cannot pass the class unless you do all of the work!). If you anticipate missing an exam or a paper deadline, consult with the instructor as soon as possible.

    Note #2: Students are encouraged to study together and assist one another in learning the material. It is assumed that you have done your own work. In short, don't cheat and don't plagiarize. If you have doubts about whether something violates academic integrity, ask me.

    Note #3: Students are encouraged to discuss assignments with me during office hours. However, students seeking to change their grade on an assignment or essay portion of an exam should be advised that I reserve the right to alter your grade in either direction (i.e.- if new problems are found during the regrade the grade would go down).

    Note #4: It is your responsibility to inform me ahead of time about factors that are likely to interfere with your performance in the class. Measures for students with disabilities, non-native writers of English and other special issues will be taken in compliance with the college's policies.

    SCHEDULE of TOPICS AND READINGS

    I. Introduction To The Study of Politics

    1/11 - Introduction I - Contemporary Ideologies and Politics

    1/13 - Introduction II- The Political Scientists' Toolbox

    • Hauss l-20 (skim!)

    II. Liberal Democracies

    1/15-1/18 - Introduction to Liberal Democracies

    • Hauss 21-45
    • Soe 14-20 (#1); 107-113 (#25); 118-121 (#28); 124-126 (#30); 127-133 (#31)
    • What Makes Elections Free and Fair? (Jorgen Elklit and Palle Svensson. Journal of Democracy. 1997. 8,3:32-46).

    1/20 - CLASS CANCELLED

    1/22 - Home Sweet Home: Reviewing the political system in the United States

    • Hauss 46-60

    1/25-1/27 - Great Britain

    • Hauss 61-95
    • Soe 21-24 (#2); 25-30 (#3); 31-33 (#4); 38-41 (#6); 46 (#9)

    1/29-2/1 - Germany

    • Hauss 136-170
    • Soe 47-50 (#10); 51-53 (#11a,b); 59-64 (#13a-d)

    2/3 - European Union

    • Hauss 171-189
    • Soe 138-139 (#32); 140-144 (#33); 145-149 (#34a-d)

    2/5 - Common Problems in Liberal Democracies

    • Soe 96-97 (#22); 98-99 (#23); 100-106 (#24); 116-117 (#27); 122-123 (#29)

    2/8 - REVIEW for EXAM #1

    2/10 - EXAM #1

    III. Post-Communist Systems in Transition

    2/12-2/15 - Systems in Transition: Marxism - Theory and Practice

    • Hauss 227-249
    • on reserve: Harrison Bergeron. (Kurt Vonnegut. Welcome to the Monkey House. 1968).

    2/17-2/19 - Russia and the former Soviet Union

    • Hauss 250-283
    • Soe 162-167 (#37); 168-173 (#38)
    • on reserve: Sleep. (Victor Pelevin. A Werewolf Problem in Central Russia. 1998).
    • on reserve: How Can You Have a Bust If You Never Had a Boom? (Serge Schmemann. The New York Times Magazine. Dec. 27, 1998).
    • "Normal" Russia (Vladimir Shlapentokh). Current History. October 1997

    2/22-2/24 - China

    • Hauss 284-317
    • Soe 202-206 (#45); 206-208 (#46)
    • China Loosens Up. Todd Crowell and David Hsieh. Asiaweek. June 26, 1998
    • on reserve: China Makes Nice. (World Press Review. Jan. 1999 [pp. 6-11]).
    • on reserve: If I Were Real. (Sha Yeh-hsin, Li Shou-ch'eng, Yao Ming-te. 1978).

    2/26-3/1 - Common Problems of Post-Communist Systems: Political & Economic Liberalization

    3/3 - REVIEW for EXAM #2

    3/5 - EXAM #2

    SPRING BREAK (3/6-3/21)-- NO CLASSES

    IV. Developing Countries

    3/22 - Recap: Review Exam #2, Discuss Current Events, Recap Classes to Date

    • NO READINGS

    3/26-3/29 - The Politics of "Development"

    • Hauss 319-343
    • Soe 178 (#39); 179-180 (#40); 198-201 (#44)

    3/31 - The Asian NIC's (Newly Industrialized Countries

    4/2 - Latin American NIC's - The Case of Brazil (1960's to 1990's)

    • FILM: Americas (#02): Capital Sins: Authoritarianism and Democratization
    • NO READINGS

    4/5-4/7 - Mexico

    4/9-4/12 - India

    4/14, 4/19 - Nigeria

    NOTE: NO CLASS ON 4/16

    4/21 - Common Problems in Developing Countries: Identity Politics and Political Violence

    4/23- Common Problems in Developing Countries: Multiple Models of Political Development

    V. Conclusion

    4/28 - Conclusion: Contemporary Ideologies and Politics: What Does the Future Hold?

    4/30 - REVIEW SESSION for EXAM #3 (FINAL)

    5/6 - FINAL EXAM: Thursday, May 6, 1999 @ 2:00pm

    Links to Country Resources


    GREAT BRITAIN Links


    GERMANY Links

    EUROPEAN UNION Links


    RUSSIA Links

    CHINA Links


    INDIA Links


    MEXICO Links


    NIGERIA Links

    General Comparative Politics Links
    Last Updated: 28 January 1999
    URL:http://www.wooster.edu/polisci/mkrain
    Questions and comments: mkrain@acs.wooster.edu
    Copyright 1998, The Trustees of The College of Wooster