Syllabus
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West Valley College Winter 2007

COMPARATIVE GOVERNMENT
Political Science 2 (3 units)
M/T/W/Th 12:00-3:40, Room SS 52

Tim Kelly, Ph.D.
Office Hours:  M/W 11:15-11:45 & by appt.
http://timmer.org 		 Office SSH1
Ph: (408) 741-2546
Tim Kelly's e-mail

WELCOME!!!!!

Don't know much about the political world you live in? Ever wonder what the difference was between a Parliament and a Congress? Or a Republic and a Communist state? Well, you've come to the right party!  Political Science 2 explores the government and politics of some of the major world powers as well as developing nations.  Structures, functions and policies are compared with each other and the U.S. government.  Particular consideration is given to contemporary world problems.  You will learn the major terms, types and functions of institutions, cultural patterns, economic systems and global interdependence issues.  Political Science 2 may be used to meet Social Science Series I or II requirements in the General Education pattern for transfer to the California State University system.

bullet Textbook: Mark Kesselman, et. al, Introduction to Comparative Politics, 3d Ed. 2004.
bullet ONLINE:  Articles are listed below for each country.

You are responsible for having each of these readings completed by their assigned day on the syllabus.

For a better understanding of the topics covered in this class, you should read the San Jose Mercury News, the San Francisco Chronicle, or the New York Times daily, in addition to Time,  Newsweek, or Current History. You can also learn a lot by watching news programs such as the Jim Lehrer News Hour and BBC (both broadcast on your local PBS stations), as well as CNN. Your success in this class depends on the initiative you put into it!

Course Objectives

bullet to compare and contrast government as it is exercised in various parts of the world;
bulletto understand various concepts and principles of how political power is expressed outside the U.S.;
bullet to have a better understanding of "globalization" and how it effects you;
bullet to practice critical analysis in written assignments.

General Class Policies

  1. Cell phones and beepers must be turned off in the classroom.
  2. Save this syllabus as evidence for transfer to a four-year institution.
  3. Class participation and COMPLETING THE ASSIGNED READING by the beginning of each topic are essential to passing this course.
  4. Late work is marked down 1/3 of a grade for each day that it is handed in late after the end of class when it is due.
  5. Tutoring is available at no charge at Tutorial Services.  It is provided by qualified, trained, students who have been recommended by the faculty.  Contact Tutorial Services in the Library Building or call 741-2038.
  6. Quizzes may be administered by the Instructor without warning if he feels students are not keeping up with the readings.  Incorrect answers will be deducted from a student's overall participation grade.
  7. Plagiarism/cheating will result in automatic failures for the course and offenders will be referred to the CSSO for disciplinary action.  Familiarize yourself with the campus policy on cheating detailed in the College Catalog under Student Conduct Code, 5.8.19 Policy on Cheating.  (You will find examples of what plagiarism is and how to avoid it at http://www.indiana.edu/~wts/wts/plagiarism.html)
  8. West Valley College makes reasonable accommodations for persons with documented disabilities. College materials will be available in alternate formats (Braille, audio, electronic format, or large print) upon request.  Please contact the Disability and Educational Support Program at (408) 741-2010 (voice) or (408) 741-2658 (TTY) for assistance.

Credit/No Credit Option

Students wishing to take this class with the Credit/No Credit grade option must inform the instructor in writing no later than the end of the SECOND WEEK.  Requests for this option WILL NOT be accepted after that time.  See the WVC Catalog under "Academic Regulations and Standards" for more information about this option.

Attendance Policy

Regular attendance and punctuality is required and roll will be taken at the beginning of the class and after the break.  Tardy students will receive a 1 point reduction from their total grade for each tardy.  More than one absence will constitute a reduction of 2 points for each additional absence for each half of the class (i.e., a full day constitutes 4 points).

Web Page

A class web page can be found for Political Science 2 at http://timmer.org.  This page contains the syllabus, lecture outlines, PowerPoint lectures, online readings, and an extensive collection of links covering the topics we discuss in class.  This web page serves as a supplement to the lectures and in-class discussions, not as a substitute.  NOTE:  As a budget saving measure, lecture outlines will NOT be passed out in class.  STUDENTS SHOULD PRINT OUT THE OUTLINES BEFORE LECTURE.

Course Requirements Grading Policy:  Grades are awarded on a Standard Scale:
1.  Two Multiple Choice Quizzes
2.  Mid-term exam in two parts (Take home)
3.  Final examination (In class)
4.  Class Participation		 (50 pts total)
(500 pts)
(400 pts)
(50 pts)		 A
B
C
D
F		 900 - 1000
800 - 899
700 - 799
600 - 699
599 and below

Dates to Remember
JANUARY 5:
JANUARY 8:
JANUARY 15:
JANUARY 16: 		Last Day to Drop w/out a "W"
Quiz #1 and Take Home Midterm Pt 1 Due
Martin Luther King Holiday
Take Home Midterm Part II Due		 JANUARY 18:
JANUARY 18:
JANUARY 24:
 		Last Day to Drop w/ a "W"
Quiz #2
FINAL EXAM

Course Outline

Established Democracies

WEEK 1
TUESDAY  -  1/2
INTRODUCTION:  What is Comparative Politics?
UNITED STATES 		 Skim Ch 1
Ch 7
WEDNESDAY - 1/3 UNITED STATES Online:  Why Did the Democrats Win?
THURSDAY - 1/4 GREAT BRITAIN/ Start GERMANY  Ch 2; Online:  Report From England


WEEK 2

MONDAY - 1/8
 GERMANY (finish) and DISCUSSION
QUIZ #1 ON CHS 7, 2, 4
TAKE HOME MIDTERM PART I DUE		 Ch 4; Online:  To Be Announced
TUESDAY - 1/9 JAPAN Ch. 5; Online:  After Koizumi
WEDNESDAY - 1/10 JAPAN / INDIA Ch. 6
THURSDAY - 1/11 INDIA Online:  India 2.0 (Parts 1-4)


WEEK 3

Transitional Democracies

MONDAY - 1/15 HOLIDAY
TUESDAY - 1/16
 MEXICO
TAKE HOME MIDTERM PART II DUE 		Ch. 10; Online:  What's at Stake..., and Mexico Reelection Reform
WEDNESDAY - 1/17 MEXICO / RUSSIA Ch. 8
THURSDAY - 1/18
 RUSSIA/Start CHINA
QUIZ #2 ON CHS 5, 6, 8, 10		 Online:  Russia's Bitter Chill

 

WEEK 4

Non-Democracies

MONDAY - 1/22 CHINA Ch 13
TUESDAY - 1/23 IRAN Ch. 12; Online: Iranian Paradox (photo essay)
WEDNESDAY - 1/24 FINAL EXAM (in-class)


Suggested Reading List (Link to bibliography)