POLS 151 - Introduction to Comparative Politics

The study of comparative politics addresses how political, economic, and social features differ across the globe and why these differences matter. Through lectures, discussion, and classroom activities, we will address: how democratic and authoritarian governments manage domestic politics; how institutions vary across the globe and why this variation matters; how political culture affects the way citizens interact with each other and their governments; and how economics and geography affect politics. I will evaluate student performance through exams, quizzes, a research project, and class participation. The Fall 2008 syllabus is available here.