Information Package
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Program of Political Science and International Relations (English 30%)

PSIR327

COMPARATIVE POLITICS I

Course Code
PSIR327
Semester
Fifth Term (Fall)
Theory+Practice
3 + 0
ECTS
4
Course TypeCompulsory Course
Course LevelBachelor's Degree
Year of Study3
SemesterFifth Term (Fall)
ECTS4
Name of Lecturer(s)
Learning Outcomes

At the end of this course, the students;

  1. Learn the field of comparative politics.
  2. Have knowledge about different political systems.
  3. Gain the capability to carry out comparative analysis in political science.
  4. Develop the capacity to draw the links between historical processes and the current political systems.
Mode of DeliveryFace to face
PrerequisitesNo
Recommended Optional Programme ComponentsThere is no recommended optional programme component for this course.
Course DescriptionThis course aims to introduce the basic key concepts and theoretical tools of comparative politics by focusing on advanced industrialized countries. Following a conceptual and theoretical analysis of each central theme of comparative politics, the course draws on empirical evidence from selected cases of established democracies in comparative perspective. In this way, the course aims to apply the theoretical and conceptual knowledge to different country cases through systemic comparison. By the end of the course, students are expected: (i) to acquire a basic understanding of key concepts of comparative politics; (ii) to advance ability for using theories and concepts in comparative politics; (iii) to develop critical thinking and comparative research skills in social and political studies; and (iv) to gain empirical knowledge on different countries.
Course Contents
WEEK TOPICS
1st Week Introduction to the course
2nd Week Basics of comparative politics and comparative method
3rd Week The Modern State: Concept, Origins and Development
4th Week Comparative Case Study Exercise: Critical junctures and dynamics of state development (US, Britain, France)
5th Week Comparative Case Study Exercise: Critical junctures and dynamics of state development (Germany, Japan, and India)
6th Week Political Regimes: Democratic Regimes and Models of Democracy
7th Week Midterm Exam
8th Week Comparative Case Study Exercise: Historical Roots and Features of Democracies (US, Britain, France, Germany, Japan, and India)
9th Week Party Systems
10th Week Comparative Case Study Exercise: Historical Roots of Party Systems and their Contemporary Dynamics (US, Britain, France)
11th Week Comparative Case Study Exercise: Historical Roots of Party Systems and their Contemporary Dynamics (Germany, Japan, and India)
12th Week Government Systems (The Executive and Legislative)
13th Week Comparative Case Study Exercise: Government System Types and Variation in Executive and Legislative Relationships (US, France, and Britain)
14th Week Elections and Electoral Systems
Recommended or Required ReadingM. Kesselman, J. Krieger, and W.A. Joseph (Eds.) Introduction to Comparative Politics: Political Challenges and Changing Agendas, Boston: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning
Daniele Caramani (ed.) Comparative Politics, Oxford: Oxford University Press
Schmitter, P. and Karl, T. L. (1991) `What Democracy is ? and is Not?, Journal of Democracy, vol. 2, no. 3, 75-87.

Recommended Books:
S. Sayarı and Hasret Dikici Bilgin (2016) Karşılaştırmalı Siyaset: Temel Konular ve Yaklaşımlar, İstanbul:
İstanbul Bilgi Üniversitesi Yayınları
Planned Learning Activities and Teaching Methods
  • Lecture
Assessment Methods and Criteria
Quantity Percentage (%)
Mid-term 1 45
Other 1 10
Total(%) 55
Contribution of In-term Studies to Overall Grade(%) 55
Contribution of Final Examination to Overall Grade(%) 45
Total(%) 100
ECTS Allocated Based on Student Workload
Activities Quantity Duration (Hour) Total Workload (Hour)
Midterm exam 1 1.25 1.25
Preparation for Quiz
Individual or group work 14 3 42
Preparation for Final exam 1 20 20
Course hours 14 3 42
Preparation for Midterm exam 1 15 15
Laboratory (including preparation)
Final exam 1 1.25 1.25
Homework
Total Work Load121.5
Total Work Load / 30 (h)4.05
ECTS Credit of the Course4
Language of InstructionEnglish
Work Placement(s)No

Programme Qualifications / Learning Outcomes

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K2 X X
K3 X X X
K4 X
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K7 X X
K8 X X X X
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K13 X X