Introduction to Comparative Political Systems

Course Policies and Requirements: refer to course syllabus

• Introduction to Comparative Political Systems, Fall 2010, Sharpless, Course Syllabus.pdf
  

Class notes to date

• Sept 7 discussion notes, intro to comparative politics.pdf
• Sept 9 discussion notes, comparative politics, britain day 1.pdf
• Sept 14 discussion notes, British institutions and political system.pdf  
• Comp Pol Fall 2010, class notes on Fukuyama and Huntington.pdf  
• Sept 21, comp politics class notes, Putnam and Benhabib.pdf  
• Thur Sept 23, Comp Pol, France, day 1.pdf  
• Sept 28, French Political Institutions and Electoral System.pdf  
• Brazil class notes, day 1, Oct 5.pdf  
• Brazil class notes, day 2, Oct 7.pdf  
• Oct 26 discussion notes, Nigeria day 1.pdf  
• Oct 28 politics class notes, Nigeria sections 3 and 4.pdf
• Nov 2, politics class notes, China day 1.pdf
• Nov 4, Politics class notes, China sections 3 and 4.pdf
• politics class notes, India sections 1, 2, 5.pdf
• politics class notes, India day 2, sections 3 and 4.pdf  
• focus on globalization, comparative politics Nov 16, Bhagwati, Stiglitz, Shiva.pdf
• class notes on Iran, Comparative Politics Nov 18 and 23.pdf
• Class Notes on Germany, Comparative Politics, Fall 2010.pdf  
• Japan Class Notes, ICP Section 1 only, Comparative Politics, Fall 2010.pdf  

Course Description: This course introduces the basic theoretical and geopolitical frameworks necessary to understand comparative politics. The course will be front-loaded with a focus on preparing students for the midterm exam. This course is not designated as an introduction to American politics and will thus not focus on U.S. electoral or political systems – I am happy to provide an introduction to American political systems if necessary, but will otherwise assume knowledge of the basic tenets of the American political system. The articles assigned are intended as discussion pieces and by no means reflect my personal ideology – constructive disagreement is welcomed. I strongly recommend that you read a relevant news source like The Economist or Financial Times on a regular basis in order to contribute to your weekly discussion assignments.

Using this Page:  We will primarily use this page to compile and examine current events assignments. Assignments are due in by the evening before class and should pertain to the regions or topics discussed since the last assignment. Feel free to use the list of links I have provided in the syllabus (and which are available here for your convenience), or to find your piece elsewhere. The articles you find should generally be short enough for people to have a chance to browse them before class, but long enough that we can learn from them. A mid-to-full page Economist article is a good length. In order to receive credit for each assignment, you need to do one of the following two things: 1) write a short paragraph in the comments section of this page explaining why this article or piece caught your attention, and how you think it relates to our studies, or 2) write a short paragraph (or more, if you want) in the comments section of another student's post. You are of course free to do both; this forum is meant to be interactive, and you should feel free to comment however and wherever you want on the pbworks page.

Useful Web Links: click here for the list of web links that is available in your syllabus. I may add to this list as the semester progresses, whereas the list on the syllabus will remain as it is. Feel free to add any other links that you feel may be of use to your fellow students in the comments section.

Link and video archive from Fall 2009 course

Map Quiz Resources

Course Documents   are available here

Relevant Assignment Due Dates

Pbworks Tuesday Uploads

Course Links (as shown in class)

Course Readings (updated from main page)