Comparative Politics
Course Information
Course Number: PL223
Course Title: Comparative Politics
Time: MW 08:30-09:45AM
Location: F.2.1-Frohring Campus, Second Floor, Room 1
Instructor Details
Instructor: Bogdan G. Popescu
Credits: 3
Prerequisites: None
Office Hours: By appointment
Course Description
Comparative Politics is both a subject and a method. Its goal is to explain why political outcomes — regimes, institutions, development, violence — vary so dramatically across countries that share the same planet. This course treats that variation as a puzzle to be solved with theory and evidence, not a set of facts to be memorized.
We begin with the tools: how do comparativists build causal arguments from observational data, and what separates a compelling explanation from a plausible story? We then apply those tools to the questions that define the field:
Why do some states consolidate power while others fragment or fail? What role did colonialism and imperial rule play in shaping the states we observe today — and how persistent are those legacies?
What makes democracies emerge, survive, and die? Why are some democracies eroding from within rather than collapsing through coups?
How do institutions — electoral systems, executives, federal arrangements — shape who gets what, and why do they take the forms they do?
How do ethnicity, nationalism, and identity become politically salient, and when do they become dangerous?
The course is organized around a principle: every claim about politics should be evaluated against the best available evidence, and every method for generating that evidence has limitations worth understanding. You will leave this course able to read a political science argument and ask the right questions about it — about the theory, the identification strategy, and the evidence.
Summary of Course Content
The course convenes twice a week. Mondays are lectures that introduce the theoretical frameworks and empirical debates for each topic. Wednesdays are discussion sessions built around assigned readings and student presentations. The expectation is that you come to Wednesday sessions having read the assigned material carefully enough to disagree with it.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, the students will be able to:
- Evaluate competing causal claims about political outcomes using the logic of comparative inquiry
- Identify the assumptions, scope conditions, and empirical limitations of major theoretical frameworks in comparative politics
- Distinguish between correlation and causation in observational research designs, including natural experiments, case comparisons, and cross-national regressions
- Construct and defend an analytical argument about a comparative political question, drawing on appropriate evidence
Textbook and/or Resource Materials
There are no specific required books for the course. See the items for every specific week’s session.
Assessment
There are three components to the final grade for this class:
- Contributions to Class 33%
- Mid-term 33%
- Final exam 33%
Contributions to Class
The contributions to class are the average of:
- presentation
- physical presence
- class participation
- questions submitted every week
- quality of questions
The mid-term and final exams are closed-book. They will test the improvement of students’ knowledge of the theories and facts developed in the course, and independent critical thinking. Both the mid-term and final exams represent 33% of the grade.
A major exam (midterm or final) cannot be made up without the permission of the Dean’s Office. The Dean’s Office will grant such permission only when the absence was caused by a serious impediment, such as a documented illness, hospitalization or death in the immediate family (in which you must attend the funeral) or other situations of similar gravity. Absences due to other meaningful conflicts, such as job interviews, family celebrations, travel difficulties, student misunderstandings or personal convenience, will not be excused. Students who will be absent from a major exam must notify the Dean’s Office prior to that exam. Absences from class due to the observance of a religious holiday will normally be excused. Individual students who will have to miss class to observe a religious holiday should notify the instructor by the end of the Add/Drop period to make prior arrangements for making up any work that will be missed.
Presentations
Each student will deliver a 10-15 minute presentation on a topic assigned in advance. Presentations should include a clear introduction, main points, and conclusion. Use visual aids (e.g., slides) effectively, ensuring text is legible and visuals are relevant. Practice beforehand to stay within the time limit and maintain a confident, professional tone. Be prepared to answer 2-3 questions from peers or the instructor during and after the presentation. Remember to cite your sources and avoid reading verbatim from slides or notes.
In addition to summarizing the key arguments or findings, your presentation should include critical analysis of the material. Highlight what the author does not address, the limitations of their research, or potential problems in their analysis or methodology. Think about how the research could be improved, expanded, or connected to broader themes discussed in class, and incorporate these insights into your presentation.
You can find below an example of a good presentation together with the original material based on which the presentation was made.
Rubric for Presentations
| Criteria | Weak | Points | Satisfactory | Points | Strong | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Content Knowledge | Limited understanding of the reading, may not accurately summarize key points. | 10 | Adequate understanding of the reading, provides a basic summary of key points. | 20 | Comprehensive understanding of the reading, presents a nuanced and detailed summary of key points. | 29 |
| Critical Analysis | Fails to offer meaningful analysis or insights. Limited connection to broader concepts. | 10 | Offers some analysis, but lacks depth and may not connect insights to broader themes. | 10 | Provides a sophisticated and insightful analysis, linking key points to broader theoretical or empirical frameworks. | 15 |
| Organization | Presentation lacks structure, making it difficult to follow. Ideas are disjointed. | 10 | Somewhat organized, but transitions between ideas are weak. Some difficulty in following the presentation. | 10 | Well-organized presentation with clear transitions between sections, making it easy to follow and understand. | 15 |
| Clarity of Expression | Uses unclear language or terminology. Communication may be challenging for the audience. | 10 | Communication is generally clear, but some jargon or complex sentences may hinder understanding. | 10 | Communicates ideas effectively, using clear language and appropriate terminology. Easy for the audience to follow. | 15 |
| Engagement with Audience | Minimal engagement with the audience. Lack of eye contact and enthusiasm. | 5 | Some engagement with the audience, but may struggle to maintain interest. Limited eye contact and enthusiasm. | 9 | Actively engages with the audience, maintains eye contact, and demonstrates enthusiasm for the topic. Captivates the audience’s interest. | 10 |
| Visual Aids (if applicable) | No or poorly designed visual aids that do not enhance understanding. | 5 | Basic visual aids that partially enhance understanding. | 7 | Well-designed and effective visual aids that significantly contribute to the clarity and impact of the presentation. | 8 |
| Time Management | Presentation significantly exceeds or falls short of the allocated time. | 5 | Presentation is within the acceptable time range but lacks balance between summarizing and analyzing. | 7 | Effectively manages time, presenting a well-balanced combination of summarization and critical analysis within the allocated time. | 8 |
| Total Points | 55 | 73 | 100 |
Attendance
Students are required to attend classes following the University’s policies. Students with more than two unexcused absences are assumed to have withdrawn from the course. Students with a justified reason not to attend class have to send me an email explaining why they cannot attend ahead of class and need to submit a form to the Dean’s Office.
Academic Honesty
As stated in the university catalog, any student who commits an act of academic dishonesty will receive a failing grade on the work in which the dishonesty occurred. In addition, acts of academic dishonesty, irrespective of the weight of the assignment, may result in the student receiving a failing grade in the course. Instances of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Academic Affairs. A student reported twice for academic dishonesty is subject to summary dismissal from the University. In such a case, the Academic Council will then make a recommendation to the President, who will make the final decision.
Students with Learning Difficulties and other Disabilities
The University does not discriminate based on disability. Students with approved accommodations must inform their professors at the beginning of the term. Please see the website for the complete policy.