Description
Purpose: 1. General introduction to the study of comparative politics. 2. The core concepts of the field are analysed within the context of five Western democracies.
Content: This course builds on the themes discussed in Introduction to Political Science. The aim is to provide a general introduction to the study of comparative politics. The core concepts of the field are analysed within the context of five Western democracies: Britain, France, Germany, Italy, and the United States. Focus will be on the main political cleavages like class, ideology, ethnicity and religion, and how these divisions have played out in the countries under examination. In terms of the contents of the course, topics covered include Christian democracy, social democracy, liberalism, corporatism, the welfare state, nationalism, citizenship, party structures and electoral politics.
Methods of Instruction
Lectures and class discussions
Study Material (approx. 1000 pp)
Jan Erk, Tom Louwerse, and Kavita Ziemann (2013 forthcoming), Politiek in een veranderende wereld: Nederland en België in vergelijkend perspectief, Leuven: Acco.
Additional material made available through Blackboard.
Examination
Final exam (80%) and workgroup attendance and participation (20%).
First opportunity for an exam
Thursday 24 October 2013, 13.00-16.00 hrs in the USC (University Sports Centre)
Second opportunity for an exam
Thursday 9 January 2014, 9.00-12.00 hrs in the USC
You can register for an exam or retake through USIS until 10 days before the exam or retake
Schedule:
Lectures
Tuesday 8 October, 13.00-15.00 hrs in SC01
Wednesday 4 September until 16 October, 11.00-13.00 hrs in SC01
Friday 6 September until 18 October, 15.00-17.00 hrs in SC01 (no class on 4 October)
Workgroups
Workgroup 1: Friday 6 September until 18 October, 9.00-11.00 hrs in SA21 and Monday 7 Oct. 18.00-20.00 hrs in SA23
Workgroup 2: Friday 6 September until 18 October, 9.00-11.00 hrs in 5B16 (no registration)
Workgroup 3: Friday 6 September until 18 October, 9.00-11.00 hrs in SA23 (no registration)
Workgroup 4: Friday 6 September until 18 October, 11.00-13.00 hrs in SA21 and Monday 7 Oct. 18.00-20.00 hrs in SA21 (English)
Workgroup 5: Friday 6 September until 18 October, 11.00-13.00 hrs in 1A12
Workgroup 6: Friday 6 September until 18 October, 11.00-13.00 hrs in 5B16
Workgroup 7: Friday 6 September until 18 October, 13.00-15.00 hrs in SA21 and Tuesday 8 Oct. 18.00-20.00 hrs in SA21
Workgroup 8: Friday 6 September until 18 October, 13.00-15.00 hrs in 5B16
Workgroup 9: Friday 6 September until 18 October, 13.00-15.00 hrs in SA23
Workgroup 10: Friday 6 September until 18 October, 13.00-15.00 hrs in SA31 and Tuesday 8 Oct. 18.00-20.00 hrs in 1A03
Please note that there are no workgroups on 4 October.
Minor Students
For those taking this course for 5 ECTS as a part of the political science minor ‘Conflict and Consensus’ the exam will be modified accordingly and working-group sessions are to be considered optional (though recommended).