PSC250: Comparative Politics

Course Prefix	Course Number	Course Title	Lec-Lab	Credit Hours
PSC	250	Comparative Politics	(3-0)	3

Course Description

Explores the politics of selected countries in Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, and/or the Middle East. Examines economics, social and political patterns and problems in different nations.

Topical Outline

1. Introduction and a Framework for Studying Comparative Politics 
2. Examination of Western and Non-Western Countries with respect to political parties, political culture, governing institutions, and policies 
3. Review and Overview

Method of Presentation

1. Lecture
2. Films 
3. Required texts 
4. Articles
5. Class discussions and simulations
6. Guest lecturers

Student Outcomes (The student should…)

1. Explain and compare the significant types of political systems existing in the world today and describe a real life example of each.
2. Critique newspaper articles and apply them to concepts from the text.
3. Investigate and explain the politics and economy of one major county in depth.
4. Compare and analyze elements of the political and economic systems of one country to that of another. 
5. Compare and evaluate the politics of different countries by placing them on a continuum between democracy and authoritarian rule.

Method of Evaluation

1. Written and oral journal article reviews
2. Annotated scrapbooks of newspaper articles
3. Class simulation 
4. Country background reports
5. Written and oral exams on assigned readings

Textbook

Oneil, Essential Reading in Comparative Politics, Norton, 2006.

Oneil, Essentials of Comparative Politics, Norton, 2007.

Prepared by: Bobby Summers

Fall, 2008