Description
This course provides a broad overview of the comparative politics subfield by focusing on substantive questions about the world today. Students will use their knowledge of these concepts to help understand past and current developments in a variety of geographical settings, including developing countries. The course invites students to grapple with ideas central to political structures around the world. For example, the state’s role enforcing order, the differences between autocracies and democracies and the institutional forms of democratic governments. Students will consider how some institutions are more likely than others to produce desirable social outcomes such as accountability, redistribution and political stability.
Course Learning Outcomes
- Student will use the comparative method and case study examinations to describe major concepts and theories including but not limited to the examination of nation-states, political regimes, political identity, gender and politics, and political violence
- Student will compare and contrast the political systems of the countries explored in the course, paying particular attention to historical, political, economic, geographical, and moral aspects of governance in a variety of countries
- Student will evaluate contemporary issues in light of different research methods and theories of Comparative Politics
Semester
Special Rotation