300090 Comparative Politics (Ü) (WiSe 2010/2011)

The seminar introduces to the methods and analytical frameworks of comparative politics. Subject of the seminar is development of democracies in international comparison. Three research questions are on the agenda: What is democracy? Which factors explain transitions towards democracies and reversals? How are these developments to be assessed and monitored? Participants of the seminar are strongly recommended to participate at the lecture “Einführung in die Vergleichende Politikwissenschaft”.
Requirements for active participation (2 CP):
Regular reading, attendance, and contributions to the discussion. Written report of one session due the following week

Requirements for written assignments (presentations and papers) (2 CP):
Subjects of presentations and papers are to be discussed with the lecturer in his office hours! Criteria for grading are: succinct research question, transparent analytical and comparative framework, extent of the scientific references, comprehensive content, clear structure of the paper, writing style and form
Presentations include an oral presentation (10 minutes), a discussion set up by an own question to be debated (20 minutes), and a short written paper (about 5 pages9
Papers includes an outline with research questions, structure, and references (due January 15th , 2011) to be discussed with the lecturer and a paper of about 18 pages

Papers and short papers of the presentations are due March 15th, 2010

Bibliography

Almond, Gabriel A. u.a. 2006: Comparative politics today, New York
Hague, Rod/Harrop, Martin 2007: Comparative Government and Politics. An Introduction, New York
Lijphart, Arend 1999: Patterns of Democracy. Government Forms and Performance in Thirty-Six Countries, New Haven and London
Newton; Kenneth/van Deth, Jan W.: 2005: Foundations of Comparative Politics, Cambridge