COURSE OUTLINE AND READING LIST- POLI 214:

INTRODUCTION TO COMPARATIVE POLITICS

University of Ghana
Department of Political Science
Second Semester, 2015/2016 Academic Year
Lecturers: Dr. Iddi Ziblim and Dr. Maame Gyekye-Jandoh
Office: Room 6 and 15, Political Science Dept.
E-mail: ziddi48@hotmail.com; mgyekyej@yahoo.com
Course
Title
Course
Code
Purpose
and
Objectiv
es

Introduction to Comparative Politics

POLI 214
Course Description and Objectives:
Introduction to Comparative Politics introduces students to the major
concepts and principles of comparative politics through an intensely
interactive and discussion-driven format. Each session will combine lectures
and discussion in a seminar format to ensure a thorough understanding of the
readings. Considerable emphasis is thus placed on the students ability to,
and interest in, participating in discussion and respectful debate. Starting
with methodologies of comparative politics, the course continues with the
application of theories to the study of contemporary regime types and
political phenomena. A wide array of concepts such as nation and ethnicity,
authoritarianism, democracy, and globalization, among others, will be
studied and discussed.
To complement the theories and methodologies of comparative politics, in
order to provide students with an empirical exposure to real world countries
and their politics, less developed and newly industrializing states will be
studied. A brief overview of the political history of these countries, their
political systems, as well as civil society and its interrelations with the state
are some of the elements this entails. The course is divided in two sections:
first, an examination of political science concepts; and second, regime and
country studies.
Course Expectations:
Complete all reading assignments by their due dates (before class)
Participate in class discussions
Come to class on regular basis and take both interim assessment (IA) and
final exam
Attend tutorials and ask questions in class
Write complete, clear, concise and well-organized prose
Grading System:
Interim Assessment (IA) 30%

Week
No.
1

2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10

11
12
13

Final Exam 70%

Total Mark/Grade 100%
Final Exam Format:
Section A Short Answer Questions (50 points)
Section B An Essay (20 points)
Students should note that academic dishonesty will not be tolerated in this
class. (See University Handbook for penalties).
Date
Lecture Course
Tutorials Venue
Assessment
3rd and
Introduction to course
th
4 February
a.
Administrati
2016
ve elements of the
course/Course
structure
10th and
Understanding
11th February, Comparative Politics
2016
(Dr. Ziblim)
17th and
The Concept of the State
th
18 February (Dr. Ziblim)
2016
24th and 25th Citizenship and Identity
February
(Dr. Ziblim)
2016
2nd and
Political Ideologies (Dr.
rd
3 March
Ziblim)
2016
9th and
Political Economy (Dr.
10thMarch, Ziblim)
2016
16th and
Authoritarianism/Non17thMarch Democratic Regimes 1
2016
(Dr. Gyekye-Jandoh)
23rd and
Authoritarianism/Nonth
24 March, Democratic Regimes-2
2016
(Dr. Gyekye-Jandoh)
th
30 and
Democracy and
31stMarch
Democratic Regimes-1
2016
(Dr. Gyekye-Jandoh)
6th and
Democracy and
th
7 April,
Democratic Regimes-2
2016
(Dr. Gyekye-Jandoh )

Lecture: JQ
B 14

13th and
14th April,
2016
20th and 21st
April, 2016
27th and
28th April

Lecture: JQ
B 14

Advanced Democracies
(Dr. Gyekye-Jandoh)
Globalization
(Dr. Gyekye-Jandoh)
Revision

Lecture: JQ
B 14
Lecture: JQ
B 14
Lecture: JQ
B 14
Lecture: JQ
B 14
Lecture: JQ
B 14
Lecture: JQ Interim
B 14
Assessment
(30%)
Lecture: JQ
B 14
Lecture: JQ
B 14
Lecture: JQ
B 14

Lecture: JQ
B 14
Revision Lecture: JQ
B 14

2016
15 16

Final Exam (70%)

READINGS
Required Text:
1. Patrick ONeil. Essentials of Comparative Politics (Norton, 2006, 2010).
Recommended:
2. Patrick ONeil and Ronald Rogowski. Essential Readings in
Comparative Politics (Norton, 2004).
3. Patrick ONeil et. al. Cases in Comparative Politics (Norton, 2007).
4. John McCormick. Comparative Politics in Transition (Wadsworth, 2007).