NS3023 Introduction to Comparative Politics

This course is designed to introduce students to the major intellectual approaches to the study of comparative politics. Readings will be drawn from major theorists and leading schools of thought. Students will confront the central questions on the nature of economic, political, and cultural development. PREREQUISITE: None.

Lecture Hours

4

Lab Hours

0

Course Learning Outcomes

In this course, students engage with course material, class discussions, and assignments to demonstrate competency in:

• Describing key concepts in the study of comparative politics.
• Explaining, comparing, contrasting, and analyzing theories of state formation and collapse, nationalism, democratization, political institutions, identity politics, and political violence.
• Evaluating current political events through the application of a theoretical lens.
• Identifying and evaluating the various components of a research design such as the theory, competing hypotheses, assumptions, data sources, measurement strategies, and research methods used for evaluating the hypotheses.
• Formulating a case study that applies theories and research methods from the field of comparative politics to analyze recent political processes.
• Presenting data and analysis in varied formats, including presentations, policy briefs, reflections, and theory essays, among others.