INTL 3300: Introduction to Comparative Politics
Spring 2018
Dr. Shane P. Singh
Office: 303 Candler
Office Hours: Tuesdays, 3:00-5:00PM
Email: singh@uga.edu
Phone: (706) 542-8422
Course Webpage: http://www.shanepsingh.com/teaching.html
Class Meeting Times: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 12:30-1:45PM
Class Location: 219A Peabody Hall
Goal of the Course: This course is designed to introduce the comparative study of politics
and government. By the end of the course, students should understand why comparing
domestic political institutions and processes across countries is useful. In addition, they
should understand how researchers study politics and government across countries. This
course is also intended to provide an overview of domestic political structures around the
world. Thus, students should become familiar with the basic varieties of political institutions
and processes.
Required Readings:
Dickovick, J. Tyler, and Jonathan Eastwood. 2015. Second Edition. Comparative Politics:
Integrating Theories, Methods, and Cases. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Some journal articles, which are freely available to you online or in the library.
Student Responsibilities:
Readings: Students are required to do the readings for each class period. I expect
everyone to finish the readings for each class ahead of time.
Comparative Election Report: There will be a research report in which students
will compare and contrast recent national elections in two countries. More details will
be provided in a handout.
Exams: The will be two required in-class exams (a midterm and a final). The format
of each exam will be announced ahead of time. The final exam is non-cumulative.
Participation/Quizzes: I expect students to be attentive and to contribute when
appropriate. There will also be a small number of short, unannounced quizzes that
will cover recent readings and course material. Your completion of/performance on
these will help me assess your participation grade. I also strongly encourage students
to read articles from national and international news sources that are pertinent to
class material. Though I will not take attendance, being present is important; you
have to be in class to participate and to take the quizzes!
Grades:
Participation/Quizzes: 10%
Exams: 70% (35% each)
Comparative Election Report: 20%
Grade Scale:
>=93%: A
90-92.99%: A-
87-89.99%: B+
83-86.99%: B
80-82.99%: B-
77-79.99%: C+
73-76.99%: C
70-72.99%: C-
60-69.99%: D
<60%: F
Policy on Laptops and Smartphones: The use of smartphones during class is prohibited,
but students may use their laptops to take notes or to refer to the readings. Students may
not, however, browse the web or check their email. Students caught doing so will lose
participation points.
Late/Missed Assignments: Missed assignments will result in a zero without a university-
approved medical excuse or family emergency. Students will be penalized for late
assignments; 20% of the grade for each day late without a university-approved medical
excuse or family emergency. Make-up exams can be arranged with the instructor with a
university-approved medical excuse or family emergency.
As a University of Georgia student, you have agreed to abide by the University’s academic honesty policy, “A
Culture of Honesty,” and the Student Honor Code. All academic work must meet the standards described in
“A Culture of Honesty” found at: www.uga.edu/honesty. Lack of knowledge of the academic honesty policy
is not a reasonable explanation for a violation. Questions related to course assignments and the academic
honesty policy should be directed to the instructor.
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Readings and Course Schedule: The course syllabus is a general plan for the course; deviations
announced to the class by the instructor may be necessary.
WEEK 1
1/4: No Class, Away at Conference
WEEK 2
1/9: Introduction and Overview of Comparative Politics
Dickovick and Eastwood, Chapter 2
1/11: The State
Dickovick and Eastwood, Chapter 3
WEEK 3
1/16: Democracies
Dickovick and Eastwood, Chapter 6, pages 119-129
1/18: Nondemocratic States
Dickovick and Eastwood, Chapter 7
WEEK 4
1/23: The Determinants and Promotion of Democracy
Dickovick and Eastwood, Chapter 6, pages 129-143
1/25: Legislatures
Dickovick and Eastwood, Chapter 9, 198-205 and 211-222
WEEK 5
1/30: Governments in Parliamentary and Presidential Systems
Dickovick and Eastwood, Chapter 10
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2/1: Constitutions and Judicial Power
Handout on Comparative Election Report
Dickovick and Eastwood, Chapter 8, pages 171-180 and 190-196
WEEK 6
2/6: Electoral Systems
Dickovick and Eastwood, Chapter 9, pages 205-211
2/8: Federalism
Dickovick and Eastwood, Chapter 8, pages 180-190
WEEK 7
2/13: Nationalism and Regionalism
Dickovick and Eastwood, Chapter 13
2/15: Political Parties
Dickovick and Eastwood, Chapter 11, pages 257-258
WEEK 8
2/20: Party Systems
Dickovick and Eastwood, Chapter 11, pages 259-264 and 267-272
2/22: Case Study: Australia
Kernell, Georgia. 2014. “The 2013 Parliamentary Election in Australia.” Electoral Studies 34
(1): 357-61.
WEEK 9
2/27: Case Study: Argentina
Singer, Matthew M. 2014. “The 2013 Congressional Elections in Argentina.” Electoral Studies
35 (1): 370-73.
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3/1: Case Study: India
Diwakar, Rekha. 2015. “The 16th General Election in India, April-May 2014.” Electoral
Studies 37 (1): 120-25.
Dickovick and Eastwood, pages 455-467
WEEK 10
3/6: Midterm Review
3/8: Midterm Exam
WEEK 11
Spring Break
WEEK 12
3/20: Political Participation and Voter Turnout
Stockemer, Daniel. 2017. “What Affects Voter Turnout? A Review Article/Meta-Analysis of
Aggregate Research.” Government and Opposition 52 (4): 698-722.
3/22: Social Movements and Revolutions
Dickovick and Eastwood, Chapter 12
WEEK 13
3/27: Political Economy and the Welfare State
Dickovick and Eastwood, Chapter 4
3/29: Development
Dickovick and Eastwood, Chapter 5
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WEEK 14
4/3: Race, Ethnicity, and Gender
Dickovick and Eastwood, Chapter 14
4/5: No Class, Away at Conference
WEEK 15
4/10: Political Culture
Dickovick and Eastwood, Chapter 15
4/12: Globalization
Dickovick and Eastwood, Chapter 16, pages 376-390
WEEK 16
4/17: Case Study: Ecuador
Bowen, James D. 2010. “Ecuador’s 2009 Presidential and Legislative Elections.” Electoral
Studies 29 (1): 186-89.
4/19: Case Study: The European Union
Dickovick and Eastwood, Chapter 16, pages 373-375
WEEK 17
4/24: Final Exam Review
Comparative Election Report Due
FINALS WEEK
5/3: Final Exam, 12:00-3:00PM
