Universität Wien

210045 LK BAK7: Comparative Politics (2024S)

(engl.)

6.00 ECTS (2.00 SWS), SPL 21 - Politikwissenschaft
Continuous assessment of course work
ON-SITE

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Moodle
We 22.05. 09:45-11:15 Hörsaal 3 (H3), NIG 2. Stock

Registration/Deregistration

Note: The time of your registration within the registration period has no effect on the allocation of places (no first come, first served).

Details

max. 50 participants
Language: English

Lecturers

Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N

Wednesday 13.03. 09:45 - 11:15 Hörsaal 3 (H3), NIG 2. Stock
Wednesday 20.03. 09:45 - 11:15 Hörsaal 3 (H3), NIG 2. Stock
Wednesday 10.04. 09:45 - 11:15 Hörsaal 3 (H3), NIG 2. Stock
Wednesday 17.04. 09:45 - 11:15 Hörsaal 3 (H3), NIG 2. Stock
Wednesday 24.04. 09:45 - 11:15 Hörsaal 3 (H3), NIG 2. Stock
Wednesday 08.05. 09:45 - 11:15 Hörsaal 3 (H3), NIG 2. Stock
Wednesday 15.05. 09:45 - 11:15 Hörsaal 3 (H3), NIG 2. Stock
Wednesday 29.05. 09:45 - 11:15 Hörsaal 3 (H3), NIG 2. Stock
Wednesday 05.06. 09:45 - 11:15 Hörsaal 3 (H3), NIG 2. Stock
Wednesday 12.06. 09:45 - 11:15 Hörsaal 3 (H3), NIG 2. Stock
Wednesday 19.06. 09:45 - 11:15 Hörsaal 3 (H3), NIG 2. Stock
Wednesday 26.06. 09:45 - 11:15 Hörsaal 3 (H3), NIG 2. Stock

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

This course provides an introduction to comparative politics in English. It will introduce students to theoretical and empirical concepts of comparative politics. The main aim of the course is to enable students to rely on these concepts to answer a research question of their choosing.
The lecture is a point of reference for this seminar. Accordingly, we will cover the following topics:
- Basic concepts, methods, and research design in comparative politics
- Regime types (democracies and autocracies)
- Parties and party systems
- Elections and electoral systems
- The Legislature and the Executive
- Political communication
- Political behaviour and political participation

It is essential for this course that students read and understand the texts before the class starts in order to be able to have a proper discussion about them.

Assessment and permitted materials

The grading of the course will be based on the following components: 1) attendance and class discussion (20%), 2) reading assignments (30%), and 3) final paper -including an early draft and peer feedback (50%). If one of the three components of the grading scheme is not attempted, the student will not be graded.

- Attendance and active in-class participation (20% of the final mark): a maximum of 2 absences are allowed. Note that attending the first session (13.03.2024) is mandatory.

- Reading assignments (30% of the final mark): students are required to submit a minimum of 8 assignments during the semester.

- Final paper (50 % of the final mark). A research paper (3000-3500 words) related to any of the topics covered in the course. In addition, every student must submit an earlier draft of the term paper (1000-1500 words) and a short review with constructive peer feedback on a classmate's draft paper (300-500 words).

*Unlike other courses within this module, there will not be an exam. Instead, the course places a stronger emphasis on continuous assessment through the weekly readings and in-class participation. Students must complete at least 8 out of 11 homework assignments to be evaluated. To complete the course with a positive evaluation, students are expected to demonstrate their ability to critically read and evaluate quantitative papers in political science and to write a final paper related to the concepts and methods covered during the semester.

The marking scheme is structured as follows:
- 100-87 Points Excellent (1)
- 86-75 Points Good (2)
- 74-63 Points Satisfactory (3)
- 62-50 Points Sufficient (4)
- 49-0 Points Insufficient (5)

Plagiarism and Ghostwriting are strictly forbidden. To make sure that these rules are not violated all written work will be crosschecked with a Plagiarism-software (Turnitin). In addition, on some occasions, students will be required to provide an oral discussion of their written work.

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

All of the above components (max. 2 missed classes, reading assignments, mid-term exam, final exam, and term paper) must be fulfilled in order to pass the course.
Students will be evaluated according to their ability to read, understand and discuss empirical literature, as well as their scientific writing skills.

Examination topics

The content of the mid-term and final exams is based on the required literature and the material covered during class sessions.

The topic for the final written assignment shall be discussed with the instructor.

Reading list

Each session will provide a general overview of a topic, relying on the main concepts covered in the textbook. The discussion of one scientific article will then follow, to deepen the understanding of the topic.

Main book: Caramani, Daniele (2013). Comparative Politics. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Further literature (journal articles) will be announced in the syllabus.

Association in the course directory

Last modified: Fr 23.02.2024 17:26