Catalog Description

Hours: 54 lecture
Description: Compares the major political systems of selected countries of the world, both autocratic and democratic. Comparison includes the origins and development of governments, their constitutional principles, political cultures and ideologies, institutions, parties, and government policies. (C-ID POLS 130) (CSU, UC)

Course Student Learning Outcomes

  • CSLO #1: Analyze similar and different examples of political systems by using the comparative method.
  • CSLO #2: Identify and assess the power and roles of the state in the modern era.
  • CSLO #3: Explain the impact of politically significant ideas, economics and regional historical factors on political institutions and behavior.
  • CSLO #4: Distinguish between different ideal types of political systems (regimes) by identifying central institutional relations and government’s relations with society.
  • CSLO #5: Assess the influence of groups and processes in society on government in different political systems.
  • CSLO #6: Explain causes and processes of stability and evolution of political systems and transitions from one type to another.

Effective Term

Fall 2024

Course Type

Credit - Degree-applicable

Contact Hours

54

Outside of Class Hours

108

Total Student Learning Hours

162

Course Objectives

Students will, through oral and written work:
1. Explain the comparative method and provide an example using two real political systems;
2. Analyze the historical evolution of political authority of the state;
3. Define and compare important political ideologies, including religion, liberalism, nationalism, fascism, communism, socialism, feminism and environmentalism;
4. Define and describe the role of political culture;
5. Define and assess legitimacy;
6. Assess the role of wealth on political institutions and behavior;
7. Distinguish between authoritarian and democratic systems of government (regimes);
8. Distinguish between presidential and parliamentary forms of democracy;
9. Distinguish between ruling monarchy, dictatorship, totalitarian one-party rule and theocracy;
10. Compare unitary and federal systems;
11. Distinguish between legal systems such as code, common law and shariah;

12. Analyze roles of social movements, interest groups, parties and media;

13. Contrast electoral systems and assess their roles in different political systems;

14. Describe how policy shapes society and the economy and vice versa; and,

15. Compare constitutional changes and evolution to civil war and revolution.

General Education Information

  • Approved College Associate Degree GE Applicability
    • AA/AS - Social Sciences
  • CSU GE Applicability (Recommended-requires CSU approval)
    • CSUGE - D Social Sciences
    • CSUGE - D6 History
    • CSUGE - D8 Pol Sci/Govt/Lgl In
  • Cal-GETC Applicability (Recommended - Requires External Approval)
    • IGETC Applicability (Recommended-requires CSU/UC approval)
      • IGETC - 4 Soc./Behav Sciences
      • IGETC - 4H Pol Sci/Govt/Lgl In

    Articulation Information

    • CSU Transferable
    • UC Transferable

    Methods of Evaluation

    • Essay Examinations
      • Example: In-class written exam employing identification, short answer, paragraph and essay questions. Examples: compare the role of the media in different types of government; Discuss the fundamental differences between democratic and authoritarian systems of governments. Provide examples of countries discussed as democratic and authoritarian and include the contributing factors in the evolution of these systems of governments. Each will be graded with rubrics outlining key components and criteria for successful applications.
    • Objective Examinations
      • Example: 25 multiple choice questions of political economy and government types. Example: Centrally Planned Economies were characteristic of: a) fascist states; b) communist states; c) presidential democracies; or, d) parliamentary democracies. Correct answers indicate student learning how to distinguish regime types.
    • Projects
      • Example: Seven to ten page formal research paper on a particular political system, utilizing a minimum of ten scholarly sources with annotated bibliography. Essay grade will be based upon a rubric developed by the instructor and shared with students.
    • Reports
      • Example: Choose a current event article from a local or alternative newspaper/periodical concerning politics. Analyze in a two page formal paper your chosen article from the perspectives of the readings covered in our text book, "Countries and Concepts: Politics, Geography, Culture." By next Thursday, post your paper to the class web board. By the following Thursday, you will need to post two, one-page, papers critiquing, both positively and negatively, two of the papers posted by your colleagues. We will spend the first fifteen minutes of class for the next two weeks discussing your articles and relating them to our course material. Paper and responses will be graded on the basis of successful application of concepts learned and completeness of the analysis.

    Repeatable

    No

    Methods of Instruction

    • Lecture/Discussion
    • Distance Learning

    Lecture:

    1. Instructor will lecture on parliamentary form of democracy while students take notes and ask and answer questions.

    Distance Learning

    1. Instructor will provide students with text and audio-visual learning materials (e.g. videos, PowerPoint, lecture notes) supported by textbook chapters on party systems. Students will need to use this material to effectively participate in discussions that the instructor will monitor to provide clarification and correction when needed.

    Typical Out of Class Assignments

    Reading Assignments

    1. Read chapter on parliaments from textbook. 2. Research, select and read a current-event article from a local or alternative newspaper/periodical related to French politics. 3. Analyze a scholarly journal article and incorporate relevant passages into a research paper on two to three aspects of a country's political system and/or domestic political issues.

    Writing, Problem Solving or Performance

    1. Select an approved country and topic and write a seven to ten page research paper utilizing a minimum of ten scholarly sources. 2. Submit an abstract of the major findings of your research. 3. Submit an annotated bibliography at the time indicated on your syllabus. 4. Analyze in a three page formal paper your chosen article from the perspectives of the readings covered in the textbook as well as class discussions. Post your paper to the discussion board. Post two one-page papers critiquing and supporting two of the papers posted by your colleagues.

    Other (Term projects, research papers, portfolios, etc.)

    Each student is required to give a 10-15 minute presentation on the selected country and topic. A grading matrix is provided to assist each student.

    Required Materials

    • Countries and Concepts: Politics, Geography, Culture
      • Author: Michael G. Roskin
      • Publisher: Prentice Hall
      • Publication Date: 2015
      • Text Edition: 13th
      • Classic Textbook?:
      • OER Link:
      • OER:
    • Introduction to Comparative Politics
      • Author: Kesselman, M., Krieger, J., & Joseph, W. A.
      • Publisher: Wadsworth
      • Publication Date: 2018
      • Text Edition: 8th
      • Classic Textbook?:
      • OER Link:
      • OER:
    • Comparative Government and Politics
      • Author: Hague, Harrup & McCormick
      • Publisher: Red Globe Press
      • Publication Date: 2019
      • Text Edition: 11th
      • Classic Textbook?:
      • OER Link:
      • OER:
    • Introducing Comparative Politics: Concepts and Cases in Context
      • Author: Orvis, Stephen, Drogus, Carol Ann
      • Publisher: Sage CQ Press
      • Publication Date: 2020
      • Text Edition: 3rd
      • Classic Textbook?:
      • OER Link:
      • OER:
    • Comparative Politics
      • Author: J. Tyler Dickovick, Jonathan Eastwood
      • Publisher: Oxford University Press
      • Publication Date: 2018
      • Text Edition: 3rd
      • Classic Textbook?:
      • OER Link:
      • OER:

    Other materials and-or supplies required of students that contribute to the cost of the course.