| EUROPEAN UNION RELATIONS | |||||
| Bachelor | TR-NQF-HE: Level 6 | QF-EHEA: First Cycle | EQF-LLL: Level 6 | ||
| Course Code | Course Name | Semester | Theoretical | Practical | Credit | ECTS |
| POL2352 | Introduction to Comparative Politics | Spring | 3 | 0 | 3 | 6 |
| Language of instruction: | English |
| Type of course: | Must Course |
| Course Level: | Bachelor’s Degree (First Cycle) |
| Mode of Delivery: | Hybrid |
| Course Coordinator : | Assoc. Prof. ESRA ALBAYRAKOĞLU |
| Course Lecturer(s): |
Dr. Öğr. Üyesi YÜKSEL ALPER ECEVİT Dr. Öğr. Üyesi ARDA CAN KUMBARACIBAŞI |
| Recommended Optional Program Components: | None |
| Course Objectives: | This course provides the analytical knowledge and practical skills to understand comparative politics worldwide. It addresses a wide range of policy-relevant issues: What are the key features of democracies and autocracies, and how can regimes best be classified? How can backsliding on human rights be prevented in states? What are the challenges for building stable and peaceful multi-ethnic states and democratic governance? What fuels populism in democracies? What is the appropriate constitutional balance of powers between the president and the legislature? How does governance shape the delivery of economic and welfare policies in developing societies? The course covers these questions and many others by utilizing the methods and techniques of comparative politics. You will learn about states and regimes worldwide – as well as deepening your understanding of your own society. The orientation is problem and reform focused. The course analyzes (i) the nature of comparative politics (ii) processes of state formation and the classification of regimes types, (iii) the structure of political institutions, (iv) the role of political actors, and (v) processes of governance performance. It reviews the leading research literature to understand the theoretical concepts and empirical literature on each topic. Some hands-on class discussions will develop practical skills and familiarity with essential online resources. The course will provide invaluable skills and knowledge for anyone seeking to develop familiarity with the major issues in comparative politics and the practical skills in analyzing countries around the globe. In the age of globalization, cross-national insights into politics are invaluable for a wide range of potential careers, whether working for international agencies, multilateral organizations, non-profit NGOs, international corporations, or national governments. |
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The students who have succeeded in this course; The students who have succeeded in this course; 1. Grasp the basic concepts of Comparative Politics. 2. Examine how political regimes vary from liberal to illiberal – electoral democracies to authoritarian and totalitarian systems. 3. Compare the governmental systems of major industrial and post – industrial societies and of the major countries of the less developed world. 4. Identify strengths and weaknesses of parliamentary and presidential systems of government on the basis of concrete cases 5. Identify strengths and weaknesses of centralized, devolved and federal state systems on the basis of concrete cases. 6. Identify strengths and weaknesses of majority, proportional representation and mixed election systems on the basis of concrete cases. 7. Recognize how political cultures affect political regimes. 8. Evaluate recent trends in world politics. |
| • Elections • Electoral Systems • Political Actors • Political Parties • Party Systems • Subnational Government • Political Groups, Civil Society • Case Studies |
| Week | Subject | Related Preparation |
| 1) | Introduction to the Course | Rod Hague, Martin Harrop, John McCormick “Comparative Government and Politics: An Introduction” 10th Edition, 2016, Palgrave Macmillan Ch.1 |
| 2) | Governance, The State, Legitimacy, Authority, and Power | Rod Hague, Martin Harrop, John McCormick “Comparative Government and Politics: An Introduction” 10th Edition, 2016, Palgrave Macmillan Ch.2 |
| 3) | Democratic and Non-Democratic Regimes | Rod Hague, Martin Harrop, John McCormick “Comparative Government and Politics: An Introduction” 10th Edition, 2016, Palgrave Macmillan Ch.3 |
| 4) | Approaches, Methods, Theories | Rod Hague, Martin Harrop, John McCormick “Comparative Government and Politics: An Introduction” 10th Edition, 2016, Palgrave Macmillan Ch.4 |
| 5) | Legislatures and Constitutions | Rod Hague, Martin Harrop, John McCormick “Comparative Government and Politics: An Introduction” 10th Edition, 2016, Palgrave Macmillan Ch.5 |
| 6) | Executives and Bureaucracies | Rod Hague, Martin Harrop, John McCormick “Comparative Government and Politics: An Introduction” 10th Edition, 2016, Palgrave Macmillan Ch.6 |
| 7) | Midterm | |
| 8) | Political Culture | Rod Hague, Martin Harrop, John McCormick “Comparative Government and Politics: An Introduction” 10th Edition, 2016, Palgrave Macmillan Ch.7 |
| 9) | Political Participation and Protest Politics | Rod Hague, Martin Harrop, John McCormick “Comparative Government and Politics: An Introduction” 10th Edition, 2016, Palgrave Macmillan Ch.8 |
| 10) | Media and Interest Groups | Rod Hague, Martin Harrop, John McCormick “Comparative Government and Politics: An Introduction” 10th Edition, 2016, Palgrave Macmillan Ch.9 |
| 11) | Representation, Voters and Elections | Rod Hague, Martin Harrop, John McCormick “Comparative Government and Politics: An Introduction” 10th Edition, 2016, Palgrave Macmillan Ch.10 |
| 12) | Electoral Systems | Rod Hague, Martin Harrop, John McCormick “Comparative Government and Politics: An Introduction” 10th Edition, 2016, Palgrave Macmillan Ch.11 |
| 13) | Political Parties | Rod Hague, Martin Harrop, John McCormick “Comparative Government and Politics: An Introduction” 10th Edition, 2016, Palgrave Macmillan Ch.12 |
| 14) | Party Systems | Rod Hague, Martin Harrop, John McCormick “Comparative Government and Politics: An Introduction” 10th Edition, 2016, Palgrave Macmillan Ch.13 |
| Course Notes / Textbooks: | Rod Hague, Martin Harrop, John McCormick “Comparative Government and Politics: An Introduction” 10th Edition, 2016, Palgrave Macmillan Michael G. Roskin, Countries and Concepts: Politics, Geography, Culture, 11th edition, New York: Pearson, 2011. Mark Kesselman, et.al. (eds). Introduction to Comparative Politics, 3rd Edition, Boston & New York: Houghton Mifflin Company, 2004. Chapter on Turkey. Gabriel A. Almond, et. al. (eds.). Comparative Politics Today: A World View, Updated 9th Edition, New York: Pearson, 2010. Chapters on USA and Brazil. Heywood, Paul. 1995. The Government and Politics of Spain, Chaps. 4, pp. 83 - 103, Chaps 7 & 8, pp. 142 – 189. |
| References: | Articles in Course Package and additional reading will be TBA during term. |
| Semester Requirements | Number of Activities | Level of Contribution |
| Midterms | 1 | % 40 |
| Final | 1 | % 60 |
| Total | % 100 | |
| PERCENTAGE OF SEMESTER WORK | % 40 | |
| PERCENTAGE OF FINAL WORK | % 60 | |
| Total | % 100 | |
| Activities | Number of Activities | Workload |
| Course Hours | 14 | 40 |
| Study Hours Out of Class | 14 | 106 |
| Midterms | 1 | 2 |
| Final | 1 | 2 |
| Total Workload | 150 | |
| No Effect | 1 Lowest | 2 Low | 3 Average | 4 High | 5 Highest |
| Program Outcomes | Level of Contribution | |
| 1) | To be able to examine, interpret data and assess ideas with the scientific methods in the area of EU studies. | 4 |
| 2) | To be able to inform authorities and institutions in the area of EU studies, to be able to transfer ideas and proposals supported by quantitative and qualitative data about the problems. | 4 |
| 3) | To be introduced to and to get involved in other disciplines that EU studies are strongly related with (political science, international relations, law, economics, sociology, etc.) and to be able to conduct multi-disciplinary research and analysis on European politics. | 5 |
| 4) | To be able to evaluate current news on European Union and Turkey-EU relations and identify, analyze current issues relating to the EU’s politics and policies. | 4 |
| 5) | To be able to use English in written and oral communication in general and in the field of EU studies in particular. | 4 |
| 6) | To have ethical, social and scientific values throughout the processes of collecting, interpreting, disseminating and implementing data related to EU studies. | 4 |
| 7) | To be able to assess the historical development, functioning of the institutions and decision-making system and common policies of the European Union throughout its economic and political integration in a supranational framework. | 4 |
| 8) | To be able to evaluate the current legal, financial and institutional changes that the EU is going through. | 4 |
| 9) | To explain the dynamics of enlargement processes of the EU by identifying the main actors and institutions involved and compare previous enlargement processes and accession process of Turkey. | 4 |
| 10) | To be able to analyze the influence of the EU on political, social and economic system of Turkey. | 1 |
| 11) | To acquire insight in EU project culture and to build up project preparation skills in line with EU format and develop the ability to work in groups and cooperate with peers. | 4 |
| 12) | To be able to recognize theories and concepts used by the discipline of international relations and relate them to the historical development of the EU as a unique post-War political project. | 4 |