Comparative Politics
In this 12-week course, we will learn about political systems and cultures around the world, using the comparative method.
Dr. Matthew Hall
Average rating:
5.0
Number of reviews:(34)
What's included
12 live meetings
9 in-class hoursHomework
1-2 hours per week. There will be weekly reading assignments, generally just one chapter of the textbook.Assessment
There will be two in-class quizzes, two in-class one-page papers, and one final exam. I will provide a letter grade as well as a one-page written report.Grading
includedClass Experience
US Grade 7 - 10
This is an course in comparing political systems. It examines established and emerging democracies as well as non-democratic states. This course is intended for anyone interested in social science, especially those considering pursuing a liberal arts degree at college. This course explores and analyzes essential concepts of comparative politics. These include the state and society, forms of government, political culture, political economy, and development. These concepts are then applied to examples of representative countries from developed, less developed, and transitional countries. Students are taught to apply the basic concepts of comparative politics in order to conduct their own comparative research and evaluate global current events using critical thinking skills. My classes are intended to promote relevant, interactive discussion. I use the annotation tool that allows students to provide input directly on the slide when I am screen sharing. We will also use the chat function extensively. I will also use short video clips throughout the semester to illustrate various concepts and themes. The following is our course schedule (subject to change with advance notice): Week 1: Course introduction -- What is comparative politics? Why is it important? Week 2: The State -- What is a state? How is it different from a country or a nation? Why is it important? Week 3: Nations and Society -- We will learn about nations, cultures, and ethnicities. Week 4: Political Economy -- We will learn about the four types of political-economic systems and how they differ from each other. Week 5: Democracies -- We will learn about the history and philosophy of democracy, as well as the different models and characteristics. Week 6: Advanced Democracies -- We will learn how to distinguish an advanced democracy and why it matters. Week 7: Non-democracies -- We will learn about the difference between democracy and non-democracy, the characteristics of non-democracies, and why it matters. Week 8: Political Violence (Revolution and Terrorism) -- We will learn about the history of revolutions, the different types, and what causes them. We will learn what terrorism is (and is not), the historical waves of terrorism, the causes and potential solutions. Week 9: Communism and Post-communism -- We will learn about the history and theory of communism, how communist states functioned in practice, why they (mostly) collapsed, and what has happened to post-Communist states. Week 10: Developing States -- We will look at the field of international development. What is development? Is it good? Why are some states better than others at developing. Week 11: Globalization -- We will look at what globalization is and why it is important. Week 12: Comparative case study in climate change -- We will take the tools and concepts we have learned and apply them to the issue of climate change. Note: I reserve the right to end a class if no students have shown after 15 minutes.
Learning Goals
Students will learn:
To introduce basic concepts, theories and approaches of Comparative Politics.
To apply these to current events, using critical thinking skills.
To analyze the major characteristics of regime types and the respective formal and informal institutions.
To understand the sources of disparity in levels of modernization, development, and underdevelopment in States by examining the roles of various geographic, historical, political, economic, institutional, and social factors.
To apply a cross-national approach to studying political behavior such as political participation, electoral politics, and political violence.
To have students develop an understanding of the analytical tools used to explain political stability and change.
Other Details
Parental Guidance
Because this is a politics class, we will be covering concepts and topics that people have strong feelings about. I present the basics of the issues and concepts without taking sides. So, for example, we will be defining and discussing the terms 'liberal' and 'conservative'. We will learn the different ways these terms get used, historically and currently what they mean in different situations, and how they affect politics around the globe. I will not, however, be taking sides on any topics or beliefs. Students are expected to be respectful of their fellow learners at all times, even when they disagree strongly. Students should avoid inflammatory language as well as personal comments. I will remind students every class. I will step in immediately if any discussion becomes disrespectful or confrontational and will, as needed, mute microphones or remove students.
Additionally, one week concerns political violence -- revolutions and terrorism. I use photos of historical and current terrorists. I briefly describe, without going into detail, what the acts committed by the individuals. I do not show any grisly or disturbing images or describe any details.
In the non-democracy chapter, there is a brief discussion of totalitarian states, that includes estimates of death tolls under those regimes.
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Sources
We will be using one textbook -- Patrick O'Neil's Essentials of Comparative Politics, which is readily available online. Learners may use any edition of the text beginning with the 5th.
Since we will also be doing comparisons, we will be using a wide variety of online thematical databases, like the World Bank (https://data.worldbank.org/), Freedom House (https://freedomhouse.org/), Transparency International (https://www.transparency.org/en), etc.
Note: Learners can access these databases on their own but I will be demonstrating navigation of the sites via screensharing.
Joined January, 2022
5.0
34reviews
Teacher expertise and credentials
I have taught comparative politics for several years to university undergraduate students. I know how to navigate sensitive topics in a way that allows for robust but respectful discussion.Reviews
Live Group Class
$230
for 12 classes1x per week, 12 weeks
45 min
Completed by 10 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 12-17
3-18 learners per class
Financial Assistance
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