Spring and Fall
(Prof. Kisangani F. Emizet)
Office: Waters 226/Phone: 532-0447
Office Hours or by appointment:
Purpose of the Course:
The principal objective of this introductory course is to examine important features of political structures and processes in different types of political systems. Our approach will be comparative, functionalist and regional. First, it is comparative in that both similarities and differences between political systems are identified in a common framework of analysis. Second, the functionalist approach will help us understand the role of institutions and their performance within these different political systems. Third, we will draw upon studies of political life in a number of countries classified into regions to answer the following questions: (1) What is comparative political analysis? (2) What is a political system? (3) What is the constitutional basis of political authority? (4) What are democratic and authoritarian political systems? (5) How does economic life affect political outcomes? (6) What are the bases of citizens= political cognition, values, and beliefs? (7) How and why do people participate in politics? (8) How do political parties and electoral systems affect political outcomes? (9) How representatives are legislators? (10) How can executives and bureaucracies be kept responsive and responsible? (11) What factors account for changes in political institutions and policies? (12) What is the relationship of the United States and the rest of the world? We will probe each of these questions according to the timetable provided below.
Course Prerequisites: This is a lower level course in political science open to all freshmen and sophomore students enrolled at Kansas State University.
Textbook:
One textbook is available at the K-State Union bookstore. The title
is
Almond, G., and Powell, Bingham. Comparative Politics Today.
New York: Harper Collins College Publisher, 2000.
In addition to the assigned reading on the class schedule, you are required to keep abreast of the major news events of the world. While world news can be obtained from the K-State Collegian, the best way to follow world events is to read national and international newspapers such as The New York Times, The Washington Post, and The Economist. You can also log on to WWW to follow world events.
Computer Literacy: As we start the 21st century, people cannot consider themselves educated unless they gain a basic literacy in the use of computers. Computers are now used in almost every discipline and workplace. It is essential that you become comfortable in the use of these machines, especially word processing and spreadsheet programs. All students are, therefore, required to write their assignments with the assistance of a computer. Please check with computer consultants (Fairchild Hall) in the use of WINDOWS and other software(s).
Projects and Examinations: Attendance is required and will be done randomly. Class participation will be based on questions from WWW, newspapers, TVs news, and reading materials. One group project (20 to 30-page paper) will be required. Students will be assigned to their group by a random process. I will discuss the topic in class and make specific recommendations. Hour examinations will occur in March, April, and May. Here is the grading system:
Attendance and participation B
up to 50 points, each counting half
| 50 -45 | - A | |
| 44.5-40 | - B | |
| 39.5-35 | - C | |
| 34.5-30 | - D | |
| 29.9-00 | - F |
Paper B up to 100 points (first draft due mid-semester and project due 14th week of the semester)
(Paper )
| 100-90 | A | |
| 89-80 | B | |
| 79-70 | C | |
| 69-60 | D | |
| 59-00 | F |
First and second midterms B
up to 50 points each mid-term
| 50 -45 | A First test -- | |
| 44.5-40 | B | |
| 39.5-35 | C Second test -- | |
| 34.5-30 | D | |
| 29.9-00 | F |
Final examination B up to
150 points
| 150-135 | A Final examination | |
| 134-120 | B | |
| 119-105 | C | |
| 104- 90 | D | |
| 89- 00 | F |
The final grade will be a combination of the five grades above:
| 400-360 | A | |
| 359-320 | B | |
| 319-280 | C | |
| 279-240 | D | |
| 239- 00 | F |
Teaching philosophy. Here is a thought to keep in mind throughout this semester and your life here at K-State: "Books are not made to be believed, but to be subjected to inquiry."- Umberto Eco, The Name of the Rose.
In other words, you should subject the concepts raised in the course to critical inquiry. Ask yourself whether or not they help you understand what you see happening in the world around you. Political scientists and politicians argue vociferously over many of the issues you will encounter this semester. You should too.
Arrangements for students with disabilities: I would like to
hear from anyone in this class who has a disability that may require some
modification of the seating, testing or other class requirements. I am
reasonably sure we can work out whatever arrangements are needed. Please
see me after class or during my office hours.
Topical Outline and Reading Assignments
Week 1
| I | Introduction: Field and Study of Comparative Politics |
| Read: Almond and Powell, pp. 3-46; pp. 733-743 (USA) |
Weeks 2-4.
| II. | Systems, Process, and Policy (Illustration -- The United States of America) |
| A. Political Culture and Political Socialization | |
| B. Political Recruitment and Political Structure | |
| C. Interest Articulation and Interest Aggregation | |
| D. Policy-Making and Public Policy | |
| E. Our Approach is Fuctionalist, Regional, and Political economy | |
| Read: Almond and Powell, pp. 49-157; pp. 743-776 (USA) |
Weeks 5-6
| III. | Western Democratic Systems (Great Britain, France, and Germany) |
| A. The Region | |
| B. Case Studies | |
| B.1. Great Britain: the Oldest Democracy at the Crossroads | |
| B.2. France: A Successful Hybrid System
B.3. Germany: Challenges of Unification |
|
| Read: Almond and Powell, pp. 161-212; pp. 214-268; pp. 270-324 |
Weeks 7-8
| IV. | Asia (China, India, and Japan) |
| A. The Region | |
| B. Case Studies | |
| B.1. China: The Challenge of Economic Reforms | |
| B.2. India: Democracy in a Semi-peripheral
Country
B.3. Japan: The Empire of the Rising Sun |
|
| Read: Almond and Powell, pp. 418-461; pp. 628-678; and pp. 326-370 |
Weeks 9-10
| V. | Slavic and Caucasus Societies |
| A. The Region | |
| B. Case Studies | |
| B.1. Russia: From the Evil Empire to Friendly Neighbor | |
| B.2. Yugoslavia: The Disintegration of a State and Ethnic Conflict | |
| Read: Almond and Powell, pp. 372-416 |
Weeks 11-12
| VI. | Sub-Saharan Africa |
| A. The Region | |
| B. Case Studies | |
| B.1. Nigeria | |
| B.2. Democratic Republic of the Congo | |
| Read: Almond and Powell, pp. 680-731 |
Weeks 13/14
| VII. | The Middle East |
| A. The Region | |
| B. Case Studies | |
| B.1. Egypt: A Power Broker in the Middle East | |
| B.2. Israel: The Lonely Democracy | |
| Read: Almond and Powell, pp. 570-626 |
Weeks 15-16
| VIII. | Latin America |
| A. The Region | |
| B. Case Studies | |
| B.1. Mexico: Challenge to a Civilian One-Party Democracy | |
| B.2. Brazil: Bureaucratic-Authoritarian Tradition and Democratization | |
| Read: Almond and Powell, pp. 462-513; and pp. 514-568 |
IX Concluding Remarks
FINAL EXAMINATION: Last week of the semester.