Universität Wien

210046 LK BAK7: Comparative Politics (2021S)

(engl.)

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

Die Lehre wird im SoSe 2021 zu Beginn voraussichtlich digital stattfinden. Je nach Lage wird auf hybride oder Vor-Ort-Lehre umgestellt. Die Lehrenden werden die konkrete Organisationsform und Lehrmethodik auf ufind und Moodle bekannt geben, wobei auch mit kurzfristigen Änderungen gerechnet werden muss.

Eine Anmeldung über u:space innerhalb der Anmeldephase ist erforderlich! Eine nachträgliche Anmeldung ist NICHT möglich.
Studierende, die der ersten Einheit unentschuldigt fern bleiben, verlieren ihren Platz in der Lehrveranstaltung.

Achten Sie auf die Einhaltung der Standards guter wissenschaftlicher Praxis und die korrekte Anwendung der Techniken wissenschaftlichen Arbeitens und Schreibens.
Plagiierte und erschlichene Teilleistungen führen zur Nichtbewertung der Lehrveranstaltung (Eintragung eines 'X' im Sammelzeugnis).
Die Lehrveranstaltungsleitung kann Studierende zu einem notenrelevanten Gespräch über erbrachte Teilleistungen einladen.

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

Due to the current COVID-19 situation, this course has been planned in a completely digital format. However, the sessions will be live, therefore students are required to be online at specific times and participate actively. In this regard, a good internet connection and functioning microphone and camera are indispensable.

  • Tuesday 09.03. 15:00 - 16:30 Digital
  • Tuesday 16.03. 15:00 - 16:30 Digital
  • Tuesday 23.03. 15:00 - 16:30 Digital
  • Tuesday 13.04. 15:00 - 16:30 Digital
  • Tuesday 20.04. 15:00 - 16:30 Digital
  • Tuesday 27.04. 15:00 - 16:30 Digital
  • Tuesday 04.05. 15:00 - 16:30 Digital
  • Tuesday 11.05. 15:00 - 16:30 Digital
  • Tuesday 18.05. 15:00 - 16:30 Digital
  • Tuesday 01.06. 15:00 - 16:30 Digital
  • Tuesday 08.06. 15:00 - 16:30 Digital
  • Tuesday 15.06. 15:00 - 16:30 Digital
  • Tuesday 22.06. 15:00 - 16:30 Digital
  • Tuesday 29.06. 15:00 - 16:30 Digital

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

The main goal of this course is to introduce students to basic theoretical and empirical concepts of Comparative Politics. Moreover, students will be confronted with concrete research examples from the literature, with the aim to practice their scientific writing and reading comprehension.
A thorough reading of the selected literature, class discussions and the final scientific writing exercise are therefore central to achieve the above-mentioned learning goals.

Topics covered in this course include:
- How to conduct empirical research
- Elections and Electoral Systems
- Parties and Party Systems
- Legislative, executive and judicial powers
- Supranational Institutions
- Democracy and authoritarianism

Please note that the course will be instructed in English (both lectures and readings). This also requires that class discussions, weekly assignments, written tests and the term paper are completed in English.

Assessment and permitted materials

Students are required to attend all classes. It is only allowed to miss up to 2 sessions, although students need to attend the first meeting. Students are expected to complete the required readings and be ready to discuss them in class every week.

The final grade will be based on the following components:
- attendance: a maximum of 2 absences are allowed;
- discussion and reading assignments (20%): students are required to complete 10 short home assignments, commenting selected articles;
- mid-term exam (25%): the test will be held online and cover the content of the course sessions and readings thus far;
- final exam (25%): the test will be held online and include content of all course sessions and readings;
- term paper (30%): research paper of 3000/3500 words. Students are required to work on their term paper throughout the whole semester and deliver their written progress on specific deadlines. In addition, every student is expected to write a review with constructive peer feedback on another draft paper.

The overall grading is based on a point-system (i.e. reading assignments = 20 points, mid-term exam = 25 points, final exam = 25 points, and term paper = 30 points). The total points received determine the final grade:
87–100 points: very good (1)

75–86 points: good (2)

63–74 points: satisfactory (3)

50–62 points: sufficient (4)

0–49 points: fail (5)

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.
Object of the evaluation will be students' 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 on 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 (individual articles) to be detailed in the syllabus.

*Later editions are also accepted

Association in the course directory

Last modified: Fr 12.05.2023 00:19