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| Course Description |
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| Course Name |
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Comparative Politics |
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| Course Code |
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IR 209 |
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| Course Type |
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Compulsory |
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| Level of Course |
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First Cycle |
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| Year of Study |
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2 |
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| Course Semester |
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Fall (16 Weeks) |
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| ECTS |
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6 |
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| Name of Lecturer(s) |
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Asst.Prof.Dr. MARELLA BODUR ÜN
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| Learning Outcomes of the Course |
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Defines the main concepts and to explain main issues and debates in the study of comparative politics.
Understands the importance of comparison as a method in the study of politics.
Compares Different political regimes, systems, constitutions and social movements.
Uses learnings in order to analyse.
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| Mode of Delivery |
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Face-to-Face |
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| Prerequisites and Co-Prerequisites |
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None |
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| Recommended Optional Programme Components |
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None |
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| Aim(s) of Course |
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This course provides an introduction to some basic themes, concepts, issues and debates in comparative politics, focusing on basic questions of method in comparative politics research. While the course is organized on a thematic and conceptual rather than a country-by-country basis, special attention is paid to the historical and social bases of political life in both the “advanced industrialized states” of the North and postcolonial and developing states of the South. |
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| Course Contents |
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The course concentrates on contemporary developments, themes and perspectives in comparative politics. It focuses on research which problematizes some of the foundational categories of comparative politics – such as the state, civil society, nation, interest, political party and democracy. The main goal of the course is to assist students to gain a comprehensive and critical understanding of a broad range of literature on comparative politics, within the context of the evolution of the discipline of political science. |
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| Language of Instruction |
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Turkish |
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| Work Place |
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F.E.A.S. Classrooms |
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Course Outline /Schedule (Weekly) Planned Learning Activities |
| Week | Subject | Student's Preliminary Work | Learning Activities and Teaching Methods |
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1 |
Introduction to Comparative Politics: What is Comparative Politics? |
Patrick O’Neil, “Introduction: What is Comparative Politics?”, in Essentials of Comparative Politics, New York and London: WW Norton and Co, 2004, pp.1-15.
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Lecture |
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2 |
The State and Nations |
Max Weber, “What is a State?” in Bernard Brown (ed), Comparative Politics: Notes and Readings (9th ed), Harcourt College, 2000, pp. 146-150.
Theda Skocpol, “Bringing the State Back In: Strategies of Analysis in Current Research,” in P. Evans, D. Rueschemeyer & T. Skocpol (eds), Bringing the State Back In, Cambridge UP, 1985, pp.3-37.
Patrick O’Neil, “Nations and Society” in Essentials of Comparative Politics, New York and London: WW Norton and Co, 2004, pp.46-52.
Homework |
Lecture |
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3 |
Comparing Regimes: Representative and Direct Democracy |
Philippe Schmitter and Terry Lynn Karl, “What Democracy Is … and Is Not” in P. O’Neil and R. Rogowski (eds), Essential Readings in Comparative Politics. New York: W.W. Norton, 2004.
Homework |
Lecture |
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4 |
Legislative-Executive Relations: Presidentialism and Parliamentarism |
Gregory Mahler, “Congress and the House of Commons: Legislative Behavior and Legislative Roles in Two Democracies” in Christian Soe (ed), Annual Editions: Comparative Politics 2001/2002, McGraw-Hill-Dushkin, 2001, pp.109-114.
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Lecture |
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5 |
Levels of Government: Unitary States and Federations |
Reading assignment, homework |
Lecture |
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6 |
Interest groups, social movements, political parties |
Wyn Grant, “Interest Groups”, in Understanding Democratic Politics: An Introduction. London: Sage, 2003, ch.16
Lynn G. Bennie, “Social Movements”, in Understanding Democratic Politics: An Introduction. London: Sage, 2003, ch.17.
Homework |
Lecture |
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7 |
Civil Society, Social Capital, Multiculturalism |
Roland Axtmann, “Civil Society- National and Global” in Understanding Democratic Politics: An Introduction. London: Sage, 2003, ch.9.
Robert Putnam, “Bowling Alone: America’s Declining Social Capital,” Journal of Democracy 6, 1 (1995): 65-78.
Charles Taylor, “The Politics of Recognition in Amy Gutmann, Multiculturalism: Examining the Politics of Recognition, Princeton, New Jersey: Princeton University Press, 1994.
Homework |
Lecture |
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8 |
Midterm Exam |
Studying for exam |
Writing an essay |
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9 |
Development and Modernization |
Samuel Valenzuela & Arturo Valenzuela, “Modernization and Dependency” in Brown & Macridis, Comparative Politics (6th ed), Chicago: Dorsey, 1986, pp.491-511.
Seymour Martin Lipset, “Economic Development and Democracy” in P. O’Neil and R.Rogowski (eds), Essential Readings in Comparative Politics. New York: W.W. Norton, 2004.
Homework |
Lecture |
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10 |
Democratization |
Samuel Huntington, “The Future of the Third Wave” in Bernard Brown (ed). Comparative Politics: Notes and Readings (9th ed), Harcourt College Publishers, 2000, pp.222-229.
Homework |
Lecture |
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11 |
Comparative politics meets international relations: is globalization eroding or strengthening the nation-state? |
Gerry Stoker, “From government to governance” in Bernard Brown (ed.) Comparative Politics: Notes and Readings (9th ed), Harcourt College, 2000, pp.256-265.
Michael Mann, “Has globalization ended the rise of the nation-state?”, Review of International Political Economy, vol. 4, no. 3, Autumn, 1997, 472-496.
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Lecture |
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12 |
Established Democracies: The United States and Britain |
Louis DeSipio, “The United States” in Mark Kesselman, Joel Krieger, William Joseph, Introduction to Comparative Politics, New York: Houghton Mifflin, 2004, chapter 7.
Joel Krieger, “Britain” in Mark Kesselman, Joel Krieger, William Joseph, Introduction to Comparative Politics, New York: Houghton Mifflin, 2004, chapter 2
Homework |
Lecture |
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13 |
Developing Democracies: Mexico and Turkey |
Merilee S. Grindle, “Mexico” in William Joseph, Mark Kesselman and Joel Krieger (eds.), Introduction to Politics of the Developing World, chapter 4.
Nilüfer Göle, “Authoritarian Secularism and Islamist Politics: The Case of Turkey” in Augustus Richard Norton (ed.), Civil Society in the Middle East, vol. 2, Leiden: E.J. Brill, 1996, pp.17-43.
Reşat Kasaba and Sibel Bozdoğan, “Turkey at a Crossroad”, Journal of International Affairs 54, 1 (Fall 2000): 1-20.
Homework |
Lecture |
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14 |
Non-Democracies: China |
William A Joseph, “China” in Joseph, Kesselman and Krieger (eds.), Introduction to Politics of the Developing World, chapter 2
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Lecture |
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15 |
General Review |
None |
Discussion |
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16/17 |
Final Exam |
Studying for exam |
Writing an essay |
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Required Course Resources |
| Resource Type | Resource Name |
| Recommended Course Material(s) |
 Mark Kesselman, Joel Krieger, William Joseph, Introduction to Comparative Politics, New York: Houghton Mifflin, 2004
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| Required Course Material(s) | |
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Assessment Methods and Assessment Criteria |
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Semester/Year Assessments |
Number |
Contribution Percentage |
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Mid-term Exams (Written, Oral, etc.) |
1 |
60 |
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Homeworks/Projects/Others |
10 |
40 |
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Total |
100 |
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Rate of Semester/Year Assessments to Success |
40 |
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Final Assessments
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100 |
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Rate of Final Assessments to Success
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60 |
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Total |
100 |
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| Contribution of the Course to Key Learning Outcomes |
| # | Key Learning Outcome | Contribution* |
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1 |
Develops skills of defining and analyzing the international, regional and national oriented issues, producing appropriate conflict-resolution techniques and negotiation skills. |
3 |
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2 |
Becomes skilful at following and interpreting different social areas in international and national levels and also applies the problem-solving oriented practices. |
4 |
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3 |
Uses Turkish, and at least one more foreign language, in accordance with the requirements of academic and work life. |
5 |
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4 |
Understands and interprets the feelings, thoughts and behaviors of related persons correctly; and expresses himself/herself in written and oral forms accurately. |
4 |
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5 |
Questions traditional approaches, practices and methods; and develops and applies new study methods if necessary. |
4 |
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6 |
Recognizes and implements social, scientific and professional ethical values. |
3 |
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7 |
Has the conceptual and theoretical competence to explain the phenomena in the disciplines of Political Science and International Relations. |
4 |
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8 |
Collects, reviews and analyzes the data obtained which necessary for modelling applications in the Social Science. |
0 |
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9 |
Improves his/herself constantly by defining educational requirements considering interests and talents in scientific, cultural, art and social fields besides career development. |
4 |
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10 |
Develops critical thinking skills. |
5 |
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11 |
In recognition of the need for lifelong learning, follows the latest developments in the field and improves himself/herself. |
2 |
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12 |
Individually and/or in a team, takes responsibility, leadership, and works effectively. |
3 |
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13 |
Identifies the international and national issues by methodologies used in the disciplines of Political Science and International Relations; chooses the appropriate analysis techniques across the issues and applies the appropriate empirical studies. |
2 |
| * Contribution levels are between 0 (not) and 5 (maximum). |
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| Student Workload - ECTS |
| Works | Number | Time (Hour) | Total Workload (Hour) |
| Course Related Works |
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Class Time (Exam weeks are excluded) |
14 |
3 |
42 |
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Out of Class Study (Preliminary Work, Practice) |
14 |
3 |
42 |
| Assesment Related Works |
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Homeworks, Projects, Others |
10 |
4 |
40 |
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Mid-term Exams (Written, Oral, etc.) |
1 |
5 |
5 |
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Final Exam |
1 |
10 |
10 |
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Total Workload: | 139 |
| Total Workload / 25 (h): | 5.56 |
| ECTS Credit: | 6 |
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