Course Details

COMPARATIVE GOVERNMENT

POLS312

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Course Information
SemesterCourse Unit CodeCourse Unit TitleT+P+LCreditNumber of ECTS Credits
6POLS312COMPARATIVE GOVERNMENT3+0+035

Course Details
Language of Instruction English
Level of Course Unit Bachelor's Degree
Department / Program POLITICAL SCIENCE AND INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
Type of Program Formal Education
Type of Course Unit Compulsory
Course Delivery Method Face To Face
Objectives of the Course This course introduces the students with case study examples of functioning political systems of varying types and dispositions in the contemporary world. We shall acquaint ourselves with some fundamentally important terms and concepts commonly referred to in the analysis of politics, such as: federal systems, unitary systems, parliamentary and presidential systems, executive government, political processes, democratic systems, pressure politics and lobbyists, and so forth.
Course Content In this course, case study countries will be the USA, the United Kingdom, France and Russia. These have been selected to offer a representative sample of the diverse ways in which political systems are constituted and they function. In each case, the historical development of the state in question is overviewed in order to show how they have arrived at particular institutional and constitutional arrangements and practical conditions. In the second part of the case study topic, the political system in operation is analyzed. Particular focus is put on the organization of government, legislative process, election systems and party politics.
Course Methods and Techniques This course uses a mixed teaching technique consisting of lectures and in-class activities. Each week, one session s is devoted to in-class activities following a two-hour lecture. Students are assigned tasks according to the topic of the week. Students are expected to apply theoretical and descriptive knowledge through activities such as class discussion, group work, or role playing around the given task.
Prerequisites and co-requisities None
Course Coordinator None
Name of Lecturers Asist Prof.Dr. HURİYE GÖKTEN DOĞANGÜN
Assistants None
Work Placement(s) No

Recommended or Required Reading
Resources
In this course, three main textbooks that are well-established in the related literature will be used.

Course Category
Social Sciences %100

Planned Learning Activities and Teaching Methods
Activities are given in detail in the section of "Assessment Methods and Criteria" and "Workload Calculation"

Assessment Methods and Criteria
In-Term Studies Quantity Percentage
Yarıyıl İçi Çalışmalarının Başarı Notunun Katkısı 10 % 40
Quiz/Küçük Sınav 1 % 30
Final examination 1 % 30
Total
12
% 100

 
ECTS Allocated Based on Student Workload
Activities Quantity Duration Total Work Load
Tartışma 14 1 14
Yazılı Sınav 1 3 3
Sınıf İçi Aktivitesi 14 1 14
Sunum için Hazırlık 10 2 20
Okuma 14 5 70
Yüz Yüze Ders 14 2 28
Final Sınavı 1 3 3
Total Work Load   Number of ECTS Credits 5 152

Course Learning Outcomes: Upon the successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
NoLearning Outcomes
1 Learn the basic concepts, themes and discussions used in analyzing political systems
2 Understand and critically examine the depth of interactions between the institutional design of political state and its implications on the nature of regime
3 Establish a foundation for future courses within the field of Political Science
4 Learn the historical traditions and institutions of USA, UK, France and Russia as examples of main political systems


Weekly Detailed Course Contents
WeekTopicsStudy MaterialsMaterials
1 Introduction Syllabus
2 Political Systems and Institutions I Course materials are uploaded on CANVAS. Hague, Rod, Martin Harrop and John McCormick, Comparative Government and Politics. An Introduction. MacMillan 11th Edition (2019)
3 Political Systems and Institutions II Course materials are uploaded on CANVAS. Prior to the third session, students are informed about the tasks for in-class activities via email. Hague, Rod, Martin Harrop and John McCormick, Comparative Government and Politics. An Introduction. MacMillan 11th Edition (2019)
4 The Making of American State Course materials are uploaded on CANVAS. Prior to the third session, students are informed about the tasks for in-class activities via email. Alexander Hamilton, James Madison & John Jay, The Federalist Papers (1787-88), https://news.freelysocial.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/The-Federalist-Papers.pdf (Links to an external site.) Greene, Jack P. (2000) “The American Revolution”, The American Historical Review, Vol. 105, No. 1 (Feb., 2000), pp. 93- 102 Charles Hauss, “The United States,” in Comparative Politics: Domestic Responses to Global Challenges, Charles Hauss, USA: Wadsworth, 2009, pp.48-67 (Chapter 3). Austin Ranney and Thad Kousser, “Politics in the United States,” in Comparative Politics Today: A World View, Gabriel A. Almond, G. Bingham Powell, Russell J. Dalton, and Kaare Strom (Eds.), 2008, pp.712-754 (Chapter 19).
5 American Presidentialism Course materials are uploaded on CANVAS. Prior to the third session, students are informed about the tasks for in-class activities via email. Linz, Juan J. (1990). "The Perils of Presidentialism." Journal of Democracy, 1(1), 51-69. Charles Hauss, “The United States,” in Comparative Politics: Domestic Responses to Global Challenges, Charles Hauss, USA: Wadsworth, 2009, pp.48-67 (Chapter 3). Austin Ranney and Thad Kousser, “Politics in the United States,” in Comparative Politics Today: A World View, Gabriel A. Almond, G. Bingham Powell, Russell J. Dalton, and Kaare Strom (Eds.), 2008, pp.712-754 (Chapter 19).
6 The Making of State in Great Britain Course materials are uploaded on CANVAS. Prior to the third session, students are informed about the tasks for in-class activities via email. Pincus, S. (2003) The Glorious Revolution, History Compass 1, BI 003, 1–6. Charles Hauss, “Great Britain,” in Comparative Politics: Domestic Responses to Global Challenges, Charles Hauss, USA: Wadsworth, 2009, pp.68-103 (Chapter 4). Richard Rose, “Politics in England,” in Gabriel A. Almond, G. Bingham Powell, Russell J. Dalton and Kaare Strom (Eds.), Comparative Politics Today: A World View, 2008, pp.152-201 (Chapter 8).
7 Mid-term
8 Spring break
9 Active Learning Activity Documentary watch and debate. Prior to class sessions, students are shared with documentary and discussion questions.
10 British Parliamentary System Course materials are uploaded on CANVAS. Prior to the third session, students are informed about the tasks for in-class activities via email. Lijphart, Arend. (1999) Chapter 2: The Westminster Model of Democracy, in Patterns of Democracy: Government Forms and Performance in Thirty-Six Countries, pp. 9-29. Charles Hauss, “Great Britain,” in Comparative Politics: Domestic Responses to Global Challenges, Charles Hauss, USA: Wadsworth, 2009, pp.68-103 (Chapter 4). Richard Rose, “Politics in England,” in Gabriel A. Almond, G. Bingham Powell, Russell J. Dalton and Kaare Strom (Eds.), Comparative Politics Today: A World View, 2008, pp.152-201 (Chapter 8).
11 The Making of State in France from the Revolution to Fifth Republic Course materials are uploaded on CANVAS. Prior to the third session, students are informed about the tasks for in-class activities via email. Sée, Henri (1991) “The Economic and Social Origins of the French Revolution”, The Economic History Review, Vol. 3, No. 1 (Jan., 1931), pp. 1-15. Charles Hauss, “France,” in Comparative Politics: Domestic Responses to Global Challenges, Charles Hauss, USA: Wadsworth, 2009, pp.104-139 (Chapter 5). Martin A. Schain, “Politics in France,” in Gabriel A. Almond, G. Bingham Powell, Russell J. Dalton, and Kaare Strom (Eds.), Comparative Politics Today: A World View, 2008, pp. 202-255 (Chapter 9).
12 Semi-Presidential System in France Course materials are uploaded on CANVAS. Prior to the third session, students are informed about the tasks for in-class activities via email. Duverger, Maurice. (1980). "A New Political System Model: Semi-Presidential Government”, European Journal of Political Research, 8(2), 165-187. Charles Hauss, “France,” in Comparative Politics: Domestic Responses to Global Challenges, Charles Hauss, USA: Wadsworth, 2009, pp.104-139 (Chapter 5). Martin A. Schain, “Politics in France,” in Gabriel A. Almond, G. Bingham Powell, Russell J. Dalton, and Kaare Strom (Eds.), Comparative Politics Today: A World View, 2008, pp. 202-255 (Chapter 9).
13 Transition to Post-Soviet State in Russia Course materials are uploaded on CANVAS. Prior to the third session, students are informed about the tasks for in-class activities via email. Archie Brown, Chapter 29 “What Caused the Collapse of Communism?”, in The Rise and Fall of Communism (Harper Collins, 2009), 587-602. Thomas F. Remington, “Politics in Russia,” in Gabriel A. Almond, G. Bingham Powell, Russell J. Dalton, and Kaare Strom (Eds.), Comparative Politics Today: A World View, 2008, pp.358-405 (Chapter 12). Charles Hauss, “Russia,” in Comparative Politics: Domestic Responses to Global Challenges, Charles Hauss, USA: Wadsworth, 2009, pp.220-259 (Chapter 9).
14 Semi-Presidential System of Russian Federation Course materials are uploaded on CANVAS. Prior to the third session, students are informed about the tasks for in-class activities via email. Sarah Whitmore, “‘Parliamentary Oversight in Putin’s Neo-Patrimonial State: Watchdogs or Show-Dogs?” Europe-Asia Studies 62 (August 2010), 999–1025. Thomas F. Remington, “Politics in Russia,” in Gabriel A. Almond, G. Bingham Powell, Russell J. Dalton, and Kaare Strom (Eds.), Comparative Politics Today: A World View, 2008, pp.358-405 (Chapter 12). Charles Hauss, “Russia,” in Comparative Politics: Domestic Responses to Global Challenges, Charles Hauss, USA: Wadsworth, 2009, pp.220-259 (Chapter 9).
15 Final Wrap-up


Contribution of Learning Outcomes to Programme Outcomes
P1 P2 P3 P4 P5 P6 P7 P8 P9 P10 P11 P12
All 5 1 3 1 3 1 5 5 5 5 5 5
C1 5 1 3 1 3 1 5 5 5 5 5 5
C2 5 1 3 1 3 1 5 5 5 5 5 5
C3 5 1 3 1 3 1 5 5 5 5 5 5
C4 5 1 3 1 3 1 5 5 5 5 5 5

Contribution: 1: Very Slight 2:Slight 3:Moderate 4:Significant 5:Very Significant


https://sis.agu.edu.tr/oibs/bologna/progCourseDetails.aspx?curCourse=71028&lang=en
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