Course

Course Summary
Credit Type:
Course
ACE ID:
SAYA-0029
Organization's ID:
POLSC221
Organization:
Location:
Classroom-based
Length:
75 hours
Dates Offered:
Credit Recommendation & Competencies
Level Credits (SH) Subject
Lower-Division Baccalaureate 3 Political Science
Description

Objective:

The course objective is to survey the governments and politics of several contemporary societies in the Americas, Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. The course will explore political leadership, representative mechanisms, legal processes, and the extra-institutional behaviors of voting culture, ethnic conflict, and corruption.

Learning Outcomes:

  • Define the chief characteristics of a nation state
  • Distinguish between unitary, federal, and confederal governmental models
  • Compare and contrast political socialization in selected countries
  • Compare and contrast the role of interest groups in selected countries
  • Identify and explain governance and policy-making in selected countries
  • Compare and contrast the role of the executive in selected countries
  • Compare and contrast the role of the judicial branch in selected countries
  • Describe and explain the political economy and development in selected countries
  • Identify and explain political challenges and changing agendas in selected countries
  • Identify and differentiate between various theoretical research paradigms employed in the social sciences
  • Apply comparative methodology to the study of political systems
  • Identify and differentiate between various methodologies used to compare political systems
  • Identify and explain various comparative methodologies used to compare various political systems
  • Compare and contrast political cultures in selected countries
  • Describe and explain patterns of representation and participation in selected countries
  • Compare and contrast the roles and functions of political parties in selected countries
  • Compare and contrast the role of the bureaucracy and the policy process in selected countries

General Topics:

  • Social science and comparative politics
  • The nation-state
  • Democratic states and democratization
  • Comparing political structures and institutions
  • Political behavior
  • Comparing ideology, policy, and decision making
  • Comparative case studies
Instruction & Assessment

Instructional Strategies:

  • Audio Visual Materials
  • Case Studies
  • Computer Based Training
  • Lectures
  • Practical Exercises

Methods of Assessment:

  • Examinations

Minimum Passing Score:

70%
Supplemental Materials