Introduction to Comparative Politics

POLS-2300, 3 credit hours

Spring 2023

Instructor’s name: Andres Sandoval

Office location: TBA

Office hours: TBA

Email address: asandov3@tulane.edu

 

Course description

 

Welcome to Comparative Politics. This course offers an introduction to the comparative politics subfield. In this course, we will review the main  theories in the field of comparative politics, particularly about the state and democracy. This course address important questions such as: What is the origin of nation states? How do we measure statehood? How democracies originate, consolidate, and die? What are the most important challenges to democracy in developed and developing nations?

This course also teaches students how to analyze real-world case studies using the comparative method. We will study politics by systematically comparing different countries to broaden and deepen our understanding of important and general political processes. This allows us to analyze the effect of these differences in a careful and rigorous way, enriching our understanding of how politics works.

The course is divided into five modules: 1) A brief introduction to the comparative politics subfield and its methods; 2) State, Order, and Political Violence; 3) Democracy, Dictatorship, and Democratization; 4) Democratic Institutions; and 5) Democratic Institutions and Social Outcomes.

 

Course Goals

1. Explain and discuss the main theories of the state and democracy.
2. Apply the theories learn in class to a real-world case studies
3. Develop research skills
4. Develop academic writing and public speaking skills.

 

Course Learning Objectives

After completing this course, students will be able to:

1. 1. Identify and describe the main theories of the state and democracy.
   2. Evaluate how different theories explain a political phenomenon
   3. Investigate a real-world case study using an academic search
   4. Formulate an original research project about a country of choice
   5. Critically assess and evaluate different arguments in the comparative literature.
   6. Describe the political institutions and actors of a real-world case study
   7. Present their own project and comment on others.

Required Student Resources

There is one required textbook (available at Tulane University Bookstore, online, and on reserve):

Samuels, David. 2013. Comparative Politics. Pearson Education.

The rest of the assigned readings are posted on Canvas

 

Evaluation Procedures and Grading Criteria

	Ex.		Participation	10% of final grade		A =	> 90%
			In-class activities (3 in total)	30% (10% each)		B =	80 to < 90%
			Short Paper	15% of final grade		C =	70 to < 80%
			Mid-Term Exam	20% of final grade		D =	60 to < 70%
			Final Exam	25% of final grade		F =	< 60%
				100%

 

Attendance Statement

Attendance is mandatory and extremely important to succeed in this class. During lectures and sections we will discuss some topics that might not be in any of the readings and they will be part of the exams. If you missed a class, ask another student for the notes.

 

ADA/Accessibility Statement  

Tulane University is committed to offering classes that are accessible. If you anticipate or encounter disability-related barriers in a course, please contact the Goldman Center for Student Accessibility to establish reasonable accommodations. If approved by Goldman, make arrangements with me as soon as possible to discuss your accommodations so that they may be implemented in a timely fashion. I will never ask for medical documentation from you to support potential accommodation needs. Goldman Center contact information: Email: goldman@tulane.edu; Phone (504) 862-8433; Website: accessibility.tulane.edu

 

Code of Academic Conduct

The Code of Academic Conduct applies to all undergraduate students, full-time and part-time, in Tulane University. Tulane University expects and requires behavior compatible with its high standards of scholarship. By accepting admission to the university, a student accepts its regulations (i.e., Code of Academic Conduct and Code of Student Conduct) and acknowledges the right of the university to take disciplinary action, including suspension or expulsion, for conduct judged unsatisfactory or disruptive.

 

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Statement (EDI)

Equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are important Tulane values that are key drivers of academic excellence in our learning environments. In our drive for academic excellence, we seek to ensure that students, faculty, and staff across diverse social identities, cultural backgrounds, and lived experiences can thrive - especially those from from underrepresented and underserved communities (e.g., race/ethnicity, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability, social class, international, veterans, religious minorities, age, and any other classification protected by applicable law - see Tulane's Nondiscrimination Policy). In order to build a supportive culture and climate for every member of our community, we recognize that we each of have unique EDI strengths to share with others and that we also have areas for EDI growth, learning, and change. This EDI commitment and cultural humility helps us collectively build a university community and culture where everyone experiences belonging." 

 

Religious accommodation policy

Per Tulane’s religious accommodation policy as stated at the bottom Tulane’s academic calendar, I will make every reasonable effort to ensure that students are able to observe religious holidays without jeopardizing their ability to fulfill their academic obligations. Excused absences do not relieve the student from the responsibility for any course work required during the period of absence. Students should notify me within the first two weeks of the semester about their intent to observe any holidays that fall on a class day or on the day of the final exam.

Remote Engagement

This course is hybrid. All learning activities, including assignments, workshops and exams will have to be submitted online on Canvas. Lectures will be in-person in the classroom detailed above, and a synchronous zoom lecture will also be available using the links provided on the Canvas page. All Zoom lectures will have live-captioning However, lectures will not be recorded, so students are encouraged to take notes in their computer or notebook.

 

Course Schedule

 

Modules	Topic	Reading /Assignment
Module 1: State order and Political Violence	Theories of the State Political Philosophy	Readings: ·       Tilly, Charles. 1985. “War Making as Organized Crime.” In Peter Evans et al. (eds.), Bringing the State Back In. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press: 161-191.
	Measures of Statehood	Readings: ·       Finnegan, William. 2016. “Venezuela, a Failing State,” New Yorker, Nov. 14.
	Political Violence:  Civil Wars, Revolution and Coup d’état	Samuels, Chapter 10 Revolutions Podcast by Mike Duncan. “Coming Full Circle” (Sep 2022)   Quiz
Module 2: Democracy, Dictatorship and Democratization	What is a democracy?	Readings: ·       Dahl, Robert. 1971. Polyarchy: Participation and Opposition, New Haven: Yale University Press, Chapter 1.
	Measures of democracy	Readings: Freedom House In-class activity
	Democratization	Readings: ·       Levitsky, Steven and Lucan Way. 2002. “The Rise of Competitive Authoritarianism,” Journal of Democracy 13 (2): 51-65.   Homework #1

 

 

 

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Private

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Emergency Preparedness & Response:(REQUIRED by University Policy as stated here)

EMERGENCY NOTIFICATIONS: TU ALERT	SEVERE WEATHER
In the event of a campus emergency, Tulane University will notify students, faculty, and staff by email, text, and/or phone call. You were automatically enrolled in this system when you enrolled at the university.   Check your contact information annually in Gibson Online to confirm its accuracy.	§  Follow all TU Alerts and outdoor warning sirens §  Seek shelter indoors until the severe weather threat has passed and an all-clear message is given §  Do not use elevators §  Do not attempt to travel outside if weather is severe   Monitor the Tulane Emergency website (tulane.edu/emergency/) for university-wide closures during a severe weather event
ACTIVE SHOOTER / VIOLENT ATTACKER	EVERBRIDGE APP
RUN – run away from or avoid the affected area, if possible HIDE – go into the nearest room that can be locked, turn out the lights, and remain hidden until all-clear message is given through TU ALERT FIGHT – do not attempt this option, except as a last resort §  For more information or to schedule a training, visit emergencyprep.tulane.edu	§  Download the Everbridge app from the App Store or Google Play store §  The Report feature allows you to silently and discreetly communicate with TUPD dispatchers §  The SOS button allows you to notify TUPD if you need help §  The Safe Corridor button serves as a virtual escort and allows you to send check-in notifications to TUPD

From: Tulane Office of Emergency Preparedness and Response