Description
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
Literature (approx. 1000 pp):
Mark Kesselman, Joel Krieger, Chistropher S. Allen, Stephen Hellman, David Ost, George Ross (2008) European Politics in Transition, 6th Edition, Boston and New York: Houghton Mifflin;
plus additional material made available through Blackboard
Examination
Final exam and bonus marks for working group participation
Exam: Tuesday October 20 2009, 9.00-12.00 a.m., USC
Retake: Tuesday January 12 2010, 9.00-12.00 a.m., SA41
For the exams you have to register at least 10 days before the date of the exam via U-twist!
Schedule
College
Tuesday 1 September, 13.00-15.00 p.m., 1A20 and
Monday 7 and 14 september, 11.00 a.m.-13.00 p.m., 1A20 and
Wednesday 9 September till 14 October, 9.00-11.00 a.m., SA41 and
Friday 11 September till 16 October, 11.00 a.m.-13.00 p.m., SA41
working groups
group 1: Friday September 4, till October 16, 9.00-11.00 a.m., 1A33
group 2: Friday September 4, till October 16, 9.00-11.00 a.m., 5A37
group 3: Friday September 4, till October 16, 13.00-15.00 p.m., 1A33 (except 16 October, 5A41)
group 4: Friday September 4, till October 16, 13.00-15.00 p.m., 1A22 (except 16 October, 15-17 p.m. SA37)
group 6: Friday September 4, till October 16, 15.00-17.00 p.m., 5A37
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).