Description
Objective: 1. General introduction to the study of comparative politics.
Objective: 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), Politiek in een veranderende wereld: Nederland en België in vergelijkend perspectief, Leuven: Acco.
Additional material made available through Blackboard.
Recommended additional reading for non-Dutch speakers
Mark Kesselman, Joel Krieger, Christopher S. Allen, Joan DeBardeleben, Stephen Hellman, David Ost, George Ross (2009), European Politics in Transition, 6th Edition.
Examination
Final exam (80%) and workgroup attendance and participation (20%).
First opportunity for an exam
Thursday 23 October 2014, 13.00-16.00 in the USC (Universitair Sports Centre)
Second opportunity for an exam
Friday 9 January 2015, 09.00-12.00 in the USC
Exam registration
Student must register for each exam through uSis. This is only possible from 100 until 10 calendar days before the exam. More information on exam registration
Schedule
Lectures
Tuesday 2 September until 14 October, 13.00-15.00 hrs in SC01 (including 9 September)
Tuesday 9 September, 17.00-19.00 hrs in SC01 (instead of 4 September)
Thursday 11 and 18 September, 11.00-13.00 hrs in SC01
Friday 26 September, 11.00-13.00 hrs in SC01
Thursday 2, 9, 16 October, 11.00-13.00 hrs in SC01
Workgroups
Workgroup 1: Thursday 4 September until 16 October, 13:00-15:00 hrs in 5A27
Workgroup 2: Thursday 4 September until 16 October, 13:00-15:00 hrs in 6C03
Workgroup 3: Thursday 4 September until 16 October, 13:00-15:00 hrs in 1A22
Workgroup 4: Thursday 4 September until 16 October, 13:00-15:00 hrs in 1A15
Workgroup 5: Thursday 4 September until 16 October, 13:00-15:00 hrs in 1A37
Workgroup 6: Thursday 4 September until 16 October, 13:00-15:00 hrs in 1A11
Workgroup 7: Thursday 4 September until 16 October, 15:00-17:00 hrs in 6C03
Workgroup 8: Thursday 4 September until 16 October, 15:00-17:00 hrs in 1A22
Workgroup 9: Thursday 4 September until 16 October, 15:00-17:00 hrs in 5A37 (Exchange students)
Workgroup 10: Thursday 4 September until 16 October, 17:00-19:00 hrs in 1A37 (Minor students)
Workgroup 11: Thursday 4 September until 16 October, 15:00-17:00 hrs in 1A11
Workgroup 12: Thursday 4 September until 16 October, 15:00-17:00 hrs in 1A15
Admission requirements
Basic knowledge of Political Science is required to take this course. This implies that you have followed at least 10 EC of courses on government and politics.
Registration
Exchange and Study Abroad students, please see the Prospective students website for information on how to
apply.
Minor students, please see the tab meer info for information on how to apply.