POL401 Comparative Political Science

Faculty of Social Studies
Autumn 2015
Extent and Intensity
2/0. 7 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
doc. Marek Rybář, M.A., Ph.D. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
prof. PhDr. Stanislav Balík, Ph.D.
Division of Politology – Department of Political Science – Faculty of Social Studies
Contact Person: Mgr. Lucie Pospíšilová
Supplier department: Division of Politology – Department of Political Science – Faculty of Social Studies
Timetable
Wed 11:30–13:00 U41
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is only offered to the students of the study fields the course is directly associated with.
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
After successful completion of the course the students will be able to understand key questions of comparative statics and comparative dynamics of modern political and social processes. Students will learn how to assess conceptualization and operationalization of these processes, their origins and impact, as well as to evaluate the epistemological questions related to their understanding.
Syllabus
  • 1. Introduction
  • 2. Comparative method and comparative politics,
  • 3. Long-term development I (modernization, geography, natural resources)
  • 4. Long-term development II (institutions, demography, infrastructure)
  • 5. Origins of nations and states
  • 6. Governance, state capacity and political institutions
  • 7. Types of political regimes
  • 8. Mid-term exam
  • 9. Institutions of the modern state I (parliaments, cabinets,executive-legislative relations)
  • 10. Institutions of the modern state II (courts and bureaucracies)
  • 11. Democratic competition and political representation
  • 12. Organized interests and political participation
  • 13. Political culture
Literature
  • The Oxford handbook of comparative politics. Edited by Carles Boix - Susan Carol Stokes. 1st pub. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2007, xi, 1021. ISBN 9780199566020. info
  • INGLEHART, Ronald and Christian WELZEL. Modernization, cultural change, and democracy : the human development sequence. New York NY: Cambridge University Press, 2005, x, 333. ISBN 0521609712. info
  • Democracy, accountability, and representation. Edited by Adam Przeworski - Susan Carol Stokes - Bernard Manin. 1st pub. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1999, ix, 351. ISBN 0521646162. info
Teaching methods
The course consists of lectures and class discussions.
Assessment methods
Two written tests, three position papers, one essay.
Language of instruction
Czech
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
Study Materials
The course is taught annually.
Listed among pre-requisites of other courses
The course is also listed under the following terms Autumn 2005, Autumn 2006, Autumn 2007, Autumn 2008, Autumn 2009, Autumn 2010, Autumn 2011, Autumn 2012, Autumn 2013, Autumn 2014, Autumn 2016, Autumn 2017, Autumn 2018.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Autumn 2015, recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/fss/autumn2015/POL401