comparative politics
PLSC 300: Women and Politics--A Cross-National Perspective
Professor Matland
TTh 11:30am / LSC
In many countries women hold 30-40% of the major political positions and female heads of state are increasingly common, on the other hand there are countries (such as the United States) where there has never been a female head of state and representation is far lower, barely reaching double digits. Why are women so poorly represented in some countries? And does it matter? We spend time on both of these questions looking at explanations for the considerable variation in women's access to positions of formal political power across countries. The course will consider the determinants of and consequences of women's participation not just in the developed countries, but also in the developing world.
PLSC 341: Comparative Politics
Professor Avdeyeva
MWF 9:20am / LSC
This course provides an introduction to key theoretical frameworks, concepts, and analytical methods commonly used today in comparative politics. The class focuses upon some of the seminal contemporary works in the field and evaluates them in the light of the arguments of their critics. After reflecting upon the methods, frameworks and analytical tools in comparative political science, the course explores several country studies and investigates political, social, and economic developments in these countries comparatively. During the course, we will analyze the impact of economic development on the process of democratization; review the changing nature of political activism; consider the impact of civic society and social capital; examine the role of political culture; and finally discuss issues of ethnic conflict and cooperation. The conclusion will draw together the core lessons from the class for effective research in comparative political science. A broad global comparison is adopted drawing upon materials and theories derived from many countries and regions of the world.
PLSC 349: Eastern European Politics
Professor Avdeyeva
MWF 12:35pm / LSC
The 1989 saw one of the most surprising developments of contemporary politics--the collapse of communist regimes across East Central Europe. To explain and understand how these developments came about, this course examines the history and politics of the region, comprising Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary, with references to Bulgaria, Romania, and the former Yugoslavia. The course will first examine the era of state socialism--the communist ascendancy, Stalinist rule, and the conflicts between state and society that erupted as a result. It will then focus on the reasons behind the collapse of the communist regimes, and the subsequent developments: the introduction of democracy and the free market, the development of political party systems, constitutions, and economic transformation. In comparing the different trajectories these polities and economies took before and after 1989, we will focus first on the relationship between state and society, and the nature of the political and economic institutions of state socialism. In the second part of the course, we will focus on the processes of democratic transition, economic reform, and the major dilemmas they create.
PLSC 360: Western European Politics
Professor Mahler
TTh 10:00am / LSC
This course begins with an introduction to the comparative politics of developed democracies. It then offers a closer look at political institutions, processes, behavior and policy in the three representative Western European countries, Britain, France and Germany. Finally, the course compares several major policy issues in the context of Western Europe as a whole, including overall economic conditions; education, health and social policies; political participation and institutions; demographic trends; defense and foreign policy; and "moral" issues.
PLSC 369: Religion and Politics--Iran, Iraq, and Lebanon
Professor Tezcur
TTh 1:00pm / LSC
After being marginalized for most of the 20th century, Shi'i Islam has been transformed into a major political player in the last few decades. This course is specifically designed to explore the configuration of Shi'i politics by adopting a historical-comparative approach. Consequently, the course will be engaged with a series of questions: How has Shi'i Islam formed and evolved differently from Sunni Islam? What are the defining characteristics of Shi'i Islam and how do these characteristics vary over time and across space? What factors have been decisive in the relationship between political authorities and Shi'i communities? Why does Shi'ism remain as a potent force in our times? How does the study of modern Shi'ism inform the discussions of religion and politics?
PLSC 300: Women and Politics--A Cross-National Perspective
Professor Matland
TTh 11:30am / LSC
In many countries women hold 30-40% of the major political positions and female heads of state are increasingly common, on the other hand there are countries (such as the United States) where there has never been a female head of state and representation is far lower, barely reaching double digits. Why are women so poorly represented in some countries? And does it matter? We spend time on both of these questions looking at explanations for the considerable variation in women's access to positions of formal political power across countries. The course will consider the determinants of and consequences of women's participation not just in the developed countries, but also in the developing world.
PLSC 341: Comparative Politics
Professor Avdeyeva
MWF 9:20am / LSC
This course provides an introduction to key theoretical frameworks, concepts, and analytical methods commonly used today in comparative politics. The class focuses upon some of the seminal contemporary works in the field and evaluates them in the light of the arguments of their critics. After reflecting upon the methods, frameworks and analytical tools in comparative political science, the course explores several country studies and investigates political, social, and economic developments in these countries comparatively. During the course, we will analyze the impact of economic development on the process of democratization; review the changing nature of political activism; consider the impact of civic society and social capital; examine the role of political culture; and finally discuss issues of ethnic conflict and cooperation. The conclusion will draw together the core lessons from the class for effective research in comparative political science. A broad global comparison is adopted drawing upon materials and theories derived from many countries and regions of the world.
PLSC 349: Eastern European Politics
Professor Avdeyeva
MWF 12:35pm / LSC
The 1989 saw one of the most surprising developments of contemporary politics--the collapse of communist regimes across East Central Europe. To explain and understand how these developments came about, this course examines the history and politics of the region, comprising Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary, with references to Bulgaria, Romania, and the former Yugoslavia. The course will first examine the era of state socialism--the communist ascendancy, Stalinist rule, and the conflicts between state and society that erupted as a result. It will then focus on the reasons behind the collapse of the communist regimes, and the subsequent developments: the introduction of democracy and the free market, the development of political party systems, constitutions, and economic transformation. In comparing the different trajectories these polities and economies took before and after 1989, we will focus first on the relationship between state and society, and the nature of the political and economic institutions of state socialism. In the second part of the course, we will focus on the processes of democratic transition, economic reform, and the major dilemmas they create.
PLSC 360: Western European Politics
Professor Mahler
TTh 10:00am / LSC
This course begins with an introduction to the comparative politics of developed democracies. It then offers a closer look at political institutions, processes, behavior and policy in the three representative Western European countries, Britain, France and Germany. Finally, the course compares several major policy issues in the context of Western Europe as a whole, including overall economic conditions; education, health and social policies; political participation and institutions; demographic trends; defense and foreign policy; and "moral" issues.
PLSC 369: Religion and Politics--Iran, Iraq, and Lebanon
Professor Tezcur
TTh 1:00pm / LSC
After being marginalized for most of the 20th century, Shi'i Islam has been transformed into a major political player in the last few decades. This course is specifically designed to explore the configuration of Shi'i politics by adopting a historical-comparative approach. Consequently, the course will be engaged with a series of questions: How has Shi'i Islam formed and evolved differently from Sunni Islam? What are the defining characteristics of Shi'i Islam and how do these characteristics vary over time and across space? What factors have been decisive in the relationship between political authorities and Shi'i communities? Why does Shi'ism remain as a potent force in our times? How does the study of modern Shi'ism inform the discussions of religion and politics?