POL/LAS 204 – Comparative Politics in the Age of Globalization

Course Title and Number

POL/LAS 204 – Comparative Politics in the Age of Globalization

Description of Course

This course will explore the field of comparative politics, which involves the analysis and comparison of the causes and consequences of different political systems across the world. The course will start by exploring how political scientists use the scientific method to understand political phenomena.

Next, we will introduce different theories that explain the emergence of modern states.

Then, we will apply these tools to explain the emergence of democracy and autocracy, the causes and consequences of different electoral systems, and finally, the economic and political effects of different institutional designs.

After completing the course, students will know the basics of different government institutions and have a basic understanding of the consequences of these different institutional forms. In doing so, we will explore several cases in depth from all regions of the world.

Course Objectives

This course will introduce students to the field of comparative politics, which involves the study of governments outside the US. We will learn how to research and theorize about political systems across the world. In doing so, we will examine political institutions that are common to all forms of government and understand distinctions between different types of political systems.

We will also gain familiarity with the diversity of political organizations and institutions across the world, including democracies and dictatorships.

Finally, in analyzing these systems, we will learn how to use quantitative measures of political systems to examine both the causes and effects of different political institutions.

Throughout this course, students will be introduced to several commonly used datasets used by political scientists to measure democracy and autocracy and the strengths and weaknesses of those datasets.

Expected Learning Outcomes

• Identify the approaches and methodologies of comparative political scientists, using evidence to critically analyze questions and arguments about the emergence of democracy and autocracy.
• Describe the political systems in several countries, understanding both the roots of the emergence of those systems as well as the consequences of those systems.
• Demonstrate competency in working with numerical information by critically analyzing quantitative information, generating ideas that are supported by quantitative evidence, assessing the relevance of data and its associated implications in various contexts, and communicating those ideas in various formats (graphs, data tables, equations, oral presentations, or written reflections).
• Become familiar with the research questions, dependent variables, and independent variables used by political scientists in their research. Students will create their own research question and design a proper method to test that question quantitatively for their research paper.

Course Format and Teaching Methods

The course will be in-person lecture-based (Monday and Wednesday each week). It will include several discussion posts (five in total) through D2L, as well as a semester-long research assignment simulating the processes political scientists use to produce research.

Locations and Times

Monday and Wednesday
10:30-11:45 am at xxxxx

Instructor Information

Yongfeng Tang
PhD Candidate
Social Sciences Building 120
ytang08@arizona.edu
Office Hours: Wednesday 10-11 am

Required Textbook

• Clark, William Roberts, Matt Golder, and Sona Nadenichek Golder (CGG). Principles of Comparative Politics: Third Edition. 2018.

Grading Policy

University policy regarding grades and grading systems is available at:
University Grading Policy

Grade Distribution for this Course:

• A: Excellent
• B: Good
• C: Satisfactory
• D: Poor
• E: Failure

Requests for incompletes (I) and withdrawal (W) must be made in accordance with university policies, which are available at:
Incomplete Policy
Withdrawal Policy

Honors Credit

• To be added

Late Work Policy

• To be added

Attendance Policy

• To be added

Assignment Format

15% Discussion Posts

Each week will feature a quiz where the student will be asked to summarize the argument of one of the readings (five discussion posts in total, each counts as 3% of the final grade).

25% Mid-Term (closed exam)

25% Final Exam (closed exam)

35% Research Paper (see below)

Research Paper Project:

1. Paper Topic Assignment

Each student selects a research topic related to comparative politics. Suggested themes include:

• Democratic transitions and consolidation
• Political institutions (e.g., presidentialism vs. parliamentarism)
• Electoral systems and their effects
• Nationalism and populism
• Authoritarian regimes and their survival strategies
• Democratic Backsliding and its causes
• Or other topics approved by the instructor.

Submit a one-paragraph proposal, including:

• A research question.
• A brief hypothesis or argument.
• A justification for the topic’s relevance.

This assignment is due on Wednesday midnight (11:59 pm) of the Third week of the semester. It counts as 10% of the Research Paper Project or 3.5% of the final grade.

2. Annotated Bibliography Assignment

Compile an annotated bibliography with at least 5 scholarly sources. Each entry should include:

• A summary of the source.
• Its relevance to your research question.
• How it informs your analysis.

This assignment is due on Wednesday midnight (11:59 pm) of the Fifth week of the semester. It counts as 10% of the Research Paper Project or 3.5% of the final grade.

3. Draft Paper Assignment

Each student brings a draft of their paper (minimum 5 pages) to class (in the second session of the Eighth Week of the semester). The draft paper is due before the second session of the Eighth week of this semester. It counts as 10% of the Research Paper Project and 3.5% of the final grade.

4. Presentation and Peer-review Project

During the 9th week’s first session:
Each student presents their argument in 3-5 minutes in front of the class.
Peers provide feedback based on a rubric focusing on:

• Clarity of the research question and argument.
• Use of evidence.
• Strength of the comparative analysis.
• Writing and organization.

The presentation and peer-review feedback each count as 7.5% of the Research Paper Project and 2.625% of the final grade.

5. Final Research Paper Project

Submit a 10–12 page paper that includes:

• Introduction: A clear research question and its significance.
• Literature Review: Discuss existing research relevant to the question.
• Theoretical Framework: Identify key variables and their expected relationship.
• Evidence: Include quantitative evidence to support your arguments/hypotheses.
• Case Studies: Include one or two Cases outside the US.
• Analysis: Evaluate findings in light of the theoretical framework.
• Conclusion: Summarize findings and discuss their implications.

This assignment is due on the First session of the Fifteenth Week. It counts as 55% of the Research Paper Project and 19.25% of the final grade.

Classroom Behavior

• To be added

Accessibility and Accommodations

• To be added

Student Code of Academic Integrity

• To be added

Additional Resources for Students

• To be added

Confidentiality of Student Records

• To be added

Subject to Change Statement

• To be added

Course Schedule

• To be added