Montgomery College

Rockville Campus

Department of History and Political Science

Course Syllabus

PS 201 – Comparative Politics and Government

Instructor Information

Professor Jill McKee

Office:  HU 016

Office Hours:  Monday 12:30 – 1:45 PM, and by appointment

Phone:  703-759-2322

Email:  jill.mckee@montgomerycollege.edu

 

Course Information

CRN:  31470

Credit:  3 semester hours

Schedule:  MW  2:00 to 3:15 PM

Location:  SW (Science West Building) 105

 

Course Description

This course looks at the patterns of interaction within various nations by examining the relationships of politically relevant groups and individuals within the country.  Students will understand that politics and government are the means by which we identify ourselves—the foundations of that identity are steeped in the chronicle of events, as well as the patterns in the social and cultural narrative.  We study patterns of the past and explore major themes such as political attitudes, political institutions, and political history. This course begins with the history of institutions to attitudes to patterns of interaction to quarrels.  This framework allows the student to uncover the underlying factors as a foundation from which to understand how these factors impact nations in contemporary times, and how these factors impact modern social conflict.

Course Objectives and Outcomes

 

After successfully completing PS 201, students will be able to:

1.        Comprehend the broad patterns of political forces that impact political decision-making within countries.

2.       Demonstrate an understanding of the major political systems and diverse political structures among nations.

3.       Be able to examine and evaluate the effectiveness of political systems, through their history, institutions, and attitudes.

4.       Successfully read, interpret, and assess the underlying factors that impact nations and further impact modern social conflict.

 

 

 

 

 

Required Texts

 

Roskin, Michael G. Countries and Concepts, An Introduction to Comparative Politics, Tenth  

     Edition, Prentice Hall, 2008.

 

NOTE:  The text includes a “Glossary” of frequently used words or technical terms from the field of comparative politics.  Also, at the end of each chapter is a list for “Vocabulary Building,” and “Further References” section listing additional readings.  Each country we study is introduced with a corresponding map of its location.  Students should know the geographic location of the nations and regions we study.  Additional readings and articles assigned throughout the course.

 

Course Requirements

Assignments and exams for this course are entered on the course calendar.  Reading assignments are listed on specific dates to assure that completion of the designated chapters keeps students ahead of class lectures and discussions.  You are required to attend class.  You are encouraged to share ideas and views about your reading and to enter into discussion with classmates.  This is a college course that has a discussion component and it provides students with an invaluable opportunity to hone their speaking skills.  Whatever your future academic or career goals, speaking well is critical. Since a significant amount of course material comes from class lectures, excessive absences will result I in a lower final grade. Official documentation is required for an excused absence. If you do miss a class, be sure to obtain missed lecture notes from a fellow student.  Please make every attempt to arrive to class sessions on time.  If you must arrive late, or leave early, please notify the instructor.  Chronic lateness or leaving class early is very disruptive.  All exams must be taken on the date specified.  If something precludes a student from turning in an assignment on time, or taking an exam on the designated date, your instructor reserves the right to determine the legitimacy of such emergency and whether the work may be made up.  If it is determined that make up work is justified, the student must complete the exam or assignment by the required deadline.

Exams

There will be a midterm and a final exam.  Exams will consist of short answer questions and essays.  Exam questions will cover a broad range of material consisting of class notes, discussion topics, and information from your reading.  You will be expected to apply the concepts you learn in this course and show evidence of critical thinking skills in response to exam questions.  No make-up exams will be given without prior instructor approval, or due to documented medical excuse.   In the event of inclement weather and school cancellation, exams will be given during the next class meeting.

 

 

 

Research Paper

The research paper provides an opportunity for you to pursue, in depth, a topic of interest to you that is relevant to the course.  The topic of the paper is flexible, but must be based on research.  It is designed to help you think critically and analytically about a topic. 

This writing assignment may be as a theoretical, evaluative, or reactionary paper.  You are to think about and analyze your topic offering evidence from your sources.  All assignments must be submitted as a hard copy.  All papers must be word-processed, double-spaced, Times New Roman font, 12 point type, MLA format with documentation of sources.  Papers should be between 900 to 1200 words.

Additional instructions and specific topic suggestions will be discussed in class.  Plagiarism is a serious offense and will not be tolerated in this class.  A student caught using the work of another as their own will receive an “F” on the paper and may receive an “F” for the course.  To avoid plagiarism, make sure you properly acknowledge your use of another’s work in your papers.  This includes any material you select from any source.  When you directly quote such material, you must set it in quotation marks with the proper MLA citation.  If you use your own words to paraphrase from a source, you also need to acknowledge the source of that information with a proper MLA citation.  If you have difficulties or questions concerning sources and their proper citation, please refer to the recommended texts for research papers listed below, or see your instructor.

Recommended Texts for Research Papers

Lester, James D. Writing Research Papers.  11th Edition. Pearson, Longman, 2005.

MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers. 6th Edition.  Modern Language Association, 2003.

Criteria for Grading Research Papers

 

Papers will be evaluated on a 100-point system.  Criteria include:

1.        Organization and Format – 10 points

2.       Clarity/Quality of Content – 25 points

3.       Typed Paper with Cover Page – 10 points

4.       Documentation and Citation of Data Sources in Text and Works Cited with at least 6 sources, including 2 primary sources – 10 points

5.       Review and Discussion of Literature/Thinking/Analysis Evident – 25 points

6.       Thoroughness/Conciseness – 20 points

All papers should be proofread for spelling, grammar, and typographical errors before submitting your final paper.

Sources from the Internet

1.        Each source must be by an author whose name and credentials are identifiable.

2.       Each source must be a text that has actually been published in print.  It may be a book, journal, article, magazine article, newspaper article, etc.  No Wikipedia articles.

3.       You may access these printed materials published elsewhere using the Internet.

4.       You should carefully screen all Internet sources for credibility.

Grading for the Course

Midterm Exam                              35%

Research Paper                             30%

Final Exam                                      35%

 

Grading Scale:  90 – 100 = A, 80 – 89 = B, 70 – 79 = C, 60 – 69 = D, 59 and below = F

 

Class Policies

Academic Honesty:  All students are expected to understand and comply with college regulations and academic standards listed in the Student Code of Conduct.  Please make note of the section heading, “Academic Dishonesty and Misconduct.”  Cheating of any kind will result in an “F” for the exam or assignment in which the dishonesty occurred and may result in an “F” for the course. 

Please respect the opinions and ideas of fellow students during discussion.  When you enter class, please turn off your cell phone or pager.  Web surfing, text messaging, and any other form of distraction during class is inappropriate.  Please refrain from eating during class.  

Support Services

Any student who has a documented disability and requires academic accommodations should notify the instructor the first week of classes.  Disability Support Services (DSS) must authorize any classroom accommodations and you must present your instructor with the appropriate documentation  The DSS office is located in the Counseling and Advising Building (CB 122), telephone (voice) 240-567-5058, or (TTY) 301-294-9672.

Students requiring assistance with a writing assignment may visit the Writing and Reading Center on the ground floor of the Humanities Building (HU 002); phone 240-567-7402.  Services include tutoring in reading, writing, and grammar.  Assistance is also available for writing organization and revision.

Student Email

 All class information will be sent only to your Montgomery college email address. (montgomerycollege.edu). Please check your email regularly for pertinent information.  Students should also use only their student account to contact me about class-related issues.  No assignments will be accepted by email.  Hard copies of assignments and papers is a requirement, emails will not be accepted.

 

Cancellation of Classes

Should inclement weather or other event cause the college to close or suspend classes, public service announcements are provided as early as possible to most local radio and television stations.  Students may also check the Montgomery College website for any closing information, http://www.montgomerycollege.edu.  In the event that the campus or the college closes, class will be cancelled.

Course Calendar

Week 1          Introduction to Comparative Politics ASSIGN:  Chapters 1, 2, & 3.

Week 2          Great Britain, History and Key Institutions ASSIGN:  Chapters 4, 5, & 6.

2/2-2/4

Week 3          British Attitudes and Interactions, What do they quarrel about? ASSIGN: Chapters 7 & 8.

2/9-2/11

Week 4           France: “Plus ca change, plus c’est la meme chose.” ASSIGN: Chapters 9, 10, and 11.

2/16-2/18

Week 5           French Attitudes and Interactions, What do they quarrel about? ASSIGN: Chapters 12, 13.

2/23-2/25

Week 6           Who Are the Germans? Institutions & Voting Patterns ASSIGN: Chapters 14, 15, 16.

3/2-3/4

Week 7           One Germany: Merging Two Worlds ASSIGN: Chapters 17 and 18.

3/9-3/11

 3/11                MIDTERM EXAM

Week 8            Spring Break – No Classes – College Closed

3/16-3/22

Week 9             Russia: Revolution and Ideology ASSIGN: Chapters 19, 20.

3/23-3/25

Week 10          Totalitarian versus Authoritarian ASSIGN: Chapter 21.

3/30-4/1

Week 11          Communism and Collapse: Which Way Russia?  ASSIGN: Chapters 22, 23, 24.

4/6-4/8

Week 12          Japan: Path to War & Up From the Ashes ASSIGN: Chapters 25, 26, 27.

4/13-4/15

Week 13          Japanese Patterns of Interaction and Quarrels.  What Is the Third World?

4/20-4/22

4/22                  RESEARCH PAPER DUE

Week 14          China: Tradition and Change, Do Markets lead to Democracy? ASSIGN: Chapter 30.

4/27-4/29

Week 15           Iran: Theocracy and Islam-What Kind of Foreign Policy? ASSIGN: Chapter 31 (Review)

 5/4-5/6            Lessons Learned in Comparative Politics  

Week 16            Final Exams

5/11-5/17

 5/11                  FINAL EXAM   (2:45 – 4:45 p.m.)

NOTE:  This course syllabus, information, and calendar are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances.