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GOVT 121 Comparative Political Systems (Fall 2005)Lectures: Monday, Wednesday, 1:15-2:30pm, ICC AuditoriumProfessor Charles King, School of Foreign Service and Department of Government Office: ICC 658, tel. 7-5907, kingch@georgetown.edu Discussion sections: Eight different sections, all on Fridays.
You were automatically registered for a section when you registered for
the course. See the registrar's
page for details. Prof. King's office hours: Monday 10:15-12:15 or by
appointment. O'Neil,
Essentials of Comparative
Politics, textbook website (password
required) Please report nonperforming links on this page to kingch@georgetown.edu. |
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OverviewThis course provides a general introduction to the concepts, methods, and substance of comparative politics. The focus will be on “doing” political science: using theories to help explain individual cases, and using cases to refine our theories of political behavior. In the first part of the course, we will discuss the nature of political science as a scholarly discipline and explore themes in comparative politics such as the relationship between ideology and political behavior, the articulation of political interests, group decision-making, and regime types. Next, we will use our knowledge of these concepts to help us understand current developments in a variety of geographical settings.Background and ObjectivesThe focus throughout the course will be on understanding the core ideas in political science and applying those ideas to particular cases. You should come away from the course with both an understanding of the diversity of the world’s political systems, as well as an appreciation of the questions and concepts that inform the work of professional political scientists.This course stresses the importance of comparison. Thinking comparatively within political science means continually asking yourself two questions:
The aim of this course is clearly not to turn every student into a professional academic political scientist. (There are too many of us already.) But by thinking comparatively and using the many intellectual tools that political scientists have developed over the last several decades, we can better understand the determinants of political behavior, the driving forces behind the political process, and the dynamics of policymaking. Requirements and Grading
Discussion SectionsAttending discussion sections is required. If you cannot attend because of illness, a university-related activity or similar legitimate reasons, tell your TA ahead of time. Students without excused absences will not be allowed to make up quizzes that they have missed. Discussion sections WILL NOT meet on the Friday BEFORE a Monday holiday. The sections WILL NOT meet on the first Friday of the term, Sept. 2, but WILL meet for the first time on the second Friday, Sept. 9.Policy on Make-Ups, Extensions, Incompletes, and Academic IntegrityIn principle, deadlines cannot be changed. However, allowance will be made for cases in which genuine emergencies prevent students from completing work on time. Such emergencies might include medical treatment or bereavement. Having a heavy work load, impending deadlines for other courses or extra-curricular commitments cannot normally be considered emergencies. Each instance will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Students should let the instructor know as far in advance as possible about any potential problems.Georgetown University is an honor-code school for undergraduates. Cases of suspected academic dishonesty will be handled according to the university’s honor code. Course ListProcIn order to encourage discussion outside class, the professor has set up a ListProc discussion list on the university computer system. The list’s name is GOVT121CK-L. The ListProc system enables subscribers to send email messages to a central server, which then distributes the messages to all other subscribers on the list. Such a system will allow the entire class to carry out “virtual” discussions and will help the professor to communicate with the entire class outside lecture periods. Subscription to the ListProc is required.In order to subscribe to the list:
For example: subscribe GOVT121CK-L Vanilla Ice You will then automatically receive information about the list, as well as postings from other subscribers.
TextsThe following books have been ordered for the course and may be purchased at the Georgetown University Bookstore in the Leavey Center. Texts are also easily available from other sources such as Amazon.com.
The basic texts will be supplemented by required readings from other ources. All required readings will be available either via this website or on the Lauinger Library electronic reserves site. Topics and ReadingsThe instructor reserves the right to make changes to the readings and discussion topics during the course of the semester. Readings that are underlined below are accessible with a simple click of the mouse.Discussion sections: The reading item marked with an asterisk below will form the core text to be addressed in the discussion sections. Recommended readings: These readings are intended as
supplements
for students who wish to pursue a particular topic in more depth. They
are not on reserve, but links are provided to some of them; they are
also easy to find in Lauinger or through
other channels. They are not required, but you should at least browse a
few of these readings over the course of the semester. Lecture slides: PDF
versions of slides used in lectures will be posted to the website after
the lecture. |
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Wed., Aug. 31 Introduction to the CoursePART I CONCEPTS IN POLITICAL SCIENCEMon., Sept. 5 NO CLASS--LABOR DAYWed., Sept. 7 How to Study Political Science1. This syllabus--please read it carefully. This would
also be a good time
to take the online academic integrity
tutorial
"Joining the Conversation." If you are a new student (first-year or
transfer), the tutorial is required
before you can register for spring classes. It is accessible via
StudentAccess+.
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