Class Meets: South Hall 302. Normally M-F 9-11 but there are exceptions. Be sure to read the syllabus carefully regarding the schedule.

Purpose --

This is an introductory survey course that compares and contrasts the nature of demands, decisions, and outcomes in a variety of types of political-economic systems. These systems range from liberal democracies such as Great Britain to highly "dependent" countries such as El Salvador. In between, we also consider the few remaining centrally-directed systems such as the People's Republic of China (PRC) and Castro's Cuba. Critical to this course, also, are the recent historic changes that have occurred in the former Soviet Union and Eastern Europe as well as the attempted redemocratization in Latin America since the 1970s and Asia since the 1980s.

Reading --

Thomas M. Magstadt, Nations and Governments (5th^rd Edition)

* You also should be following closely recent developments in various countries that are undergoing significant change (e.g., Russia). To this end, you ought to be reading a good newspaper or newsmagazine such as New York Times, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal or Christian Science Monitor or the weekly news magazine, the Economist. Of course, there is also the ever-popular CNN.

Requirements --

1. Two essay exams, the first worth 25% of the course grade and the second worth 35%.
   
2. 10-page paper and presentation, worth 30% of the course grade. This paper should deal with recent political-economic developments in a country of your choice, although this choice will be restricted by the availability of resources at our library. The paper will need a full bibiography and footnotes (or, endnotes if you prefer). In addition, you will be required to present your findings to the class during the last week of the term (you will have 20 minutes for your presentation and questions). This presentation will be worth 5% of the course grade. By Friday October 7, you need to tell me which country you are researching and the focus of your research. There is no roughdraft required. However, if you wish me to read one, it must be to me no later than Wednesday, October 19 . *Note: a roughdraft should not be so rough that it requires numerous grammatical, spelling, or other types of corrections on my part. This is the job of the Writing Studio and you. The purpose of submitting a roughdraft to me is to get my feedback as to whether you are covering the topic correctly and organizing your thoughts in a logical fashion. The final draft of the paper is due at 12 p.m., October 26 .
   
3. Class participation is worth 10% of the course grade. I expect students to keep pace with the reading assignments and come prepared to discuss the material and the latest developments in various parts of the world.

Schedule --

Week 1 -- October 3-7

Monday 9-11 - Introduction: what is "comparative politics" and why study it? Conceptual approaches to the study of comparative politics; begin liberal democracies. Magstadt, Part I.

Tuesday 9-10 - Conceptual approaches (cont.). Finish Magstadt, Part I,
10-11 - Information literacy in Library 126

Wednesday 9-11 - Library instruction, Library Room 126.

Thursday 9-11 - European liberal democracies. Magstadt, Part II.
1-3 - Student Forum

Friday 9-11 - European liberal democracies (cont.)

Week 2 -- October 10-14

Monday 9-11 - Russia and Slavic Europe. Magstadt, Part III.

Tuesday 9-11 - Russia and Slavic Europe (cont.).

Wednesday 9-11 - Exam 1.

Thursday 9-11 - Asia. Magstadt, Part IV.

Friday 9-11 - Asia (cont.).

Week 3 -- October 17-21

Monday 9-11 - Middle East. Magstadt, Part VI.

Tuesday 9-11 - Latin America. Magstadt, Part V.

Wednesday 9-11 - Latin America (cont.).

Thursday 9-11 - Sub-Saharan Africa. Conclusion: democracy, ethnicity, and other issues. Magstadt, Part VII.

Friday 9-12 - Exam 2.

Week 4 -- October 24-26

Monday - Paper presentations morning and afternoon.

Tuesday - Paper presentations morning and afternoon.

Wednesday - Paper due at 12 p.m.!