IRLS501 - Comparative Political Systems

CO1: Evaluate theories, approaches, and methods in comparative politics.

CO2: Appraise the efficacy of various systems of government.

CO3: Analyze the impact of cultural and historical experiences on a governance system.

CO4: Construct an interpretation of executive, judicial, and legislative structures within selected states.

CO5: Distinguish processes of public policymaking from a comparative theory perspective.

The course grade is based on the following assessments:

Discussion Forums – 20 percent

Each week, a discussion question is provided and posts should reflect an assimilation of the readings. Students are required to provide a substantive initial post by Thursday at 11:55 pm ET and respond to 2 or more classmates by Sunday 11:55 pm ET. Initial posts should be no fewer than 500 words; follow-up posts should be no fewer than 150 words. Forum posts are graded on timeliness, relevance, knowledge of the weekly readings, and the quality of original ideas.

Progress Assignment – 15 percent

Students will compose a short essay paper (5 pages in length) that addresses the following questions: What is the primary subject matter of comparative politics, and what are some of the fundamental problems of comparative research?

Research Paper – 35 percent

This paper takes the form of a political risk analysis of 10 – 16 pages.

Final Assignment – 30 percent

This assignment is a take-home essay assignment of 4 questions, 2-3 pages each, to test knowledge and assimilation of the course objectives. The exclusive use of required texts and readings from this course is mandatory.