Fall Term 2008
DRAFT SYLLABUS
PS 101 Modern World Governments
General Course & Contact Information:
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Instructor: Leif Hoffmann |
Office: 440C in McKenzie (MCK) |
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Class Dates: M/T/W/R 1400-1450 |
Advising Hours: M & W 12:00 – 13:30 |
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Classrooms: 101 LLCS & 129 MCK |
Phone: 541-346-4417 |
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CRN: 14457 |
Email: lhoffma2@uoregon.edu |
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GTF: TBA |
GTF: TBA |
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Office: |
Office: |
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Advising Hours: |
Advising Hours: |
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Phone: |
Phone: |
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Email: |
Course Description and Objectives:
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Modern World Governments is an introductory class to the study of politics intended to familiarize students with the political systems, practices, cultures, and institutions in a wide variety of countries. In a world, which over 190 countries call their home in the 21st century and which to many appears to be shrinking due to the advent of new technology throughout the last couple of decades, it becomes more and more important to understand what is going on outside once own borders and comfort zone. The course provides therefore a fun and engaging introduction to the basic ideas in the study of politics and an overview of the major political experiences in the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Russia, China, Japan, Nigeria, Mexico and other countries. Important concepts for understanding the nature of power in various political systems are "grounded" through a comparison of the differences in the historical experiences, interests, political and cultural identities, and key institutions. Students will gain a clear understanding of the similarities and differences of various political systems and through reflection gain a deeper understanding of their own political system. In short, this course will serve as foundation for those who want to study later on international relations or understand better the origins of similarities and differences of countries in higher level courses.
The overall goal for the students is to be able to engage questions such as:
v What is the difference between nation and state?
v What role does geography play in political development? Does it really matter?
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What political systems do the
v What’s the European Union?
v What in the world is cohabitation?
v What did cuius regio attempt to solve?
v What’s an electoral threshold?
v How do the American, French and German presidencies differ?
v What’s praetorianism?
v What’s personalismo?
v Are states becoming obsolete?
v What are the main political issues of the day in other countries?
Required Texts:
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One book is required for the course. Additional readings will be made available. All the readings are REQUIRED and I retain the right to examine you on issues raised in any of the readings. A few additional readings for future study or personal interest are listed at the end of the syllabus.
Required Book:
v
Roskin, Michael
G. 2009. Countries and Concepts: Politics, Geography, Culture. 10th ed.
All other readings will be made available on Blackboard.
Additionally, daily reading of The New York Times or another quality newspaper is recommended and encouraged (subscriptions of the NYT available for purchase at the UO bookstore or online at www.nytimes.com). In any case, make ABSOLUTELY sure to follow the news in one way or another (newspapers, TV or internet). Ignorance is not always bliss.
Expectations & Requirements:
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This is an introductory course, which involves a mixture of lectures and discussions. Throughout the term I expect you to come to class having read and thought about the assigned readings, to demonstrate an understanding of the material, actively participate in the class discussions and make thoughtful contributions that benefit the class.
Students are expected to attend all class sessions in order to receive full credit for taking this course. If a class date is problematic for you or unforeseen circumstances hinder you to attend class, please come see me.
News presentation: Each student will be required to collect and condense the latest news on a country and share the information by posting it twice on blackboard throughout the term. Each posting should not exceed one page and include the references. You are very strongly discouraged to use American media sources for this assignment (e.g. CNN, Fox news, New York Times, the Register-Guard, etc.). You will have to consult at least three different non-American media sources (e.g. British, Canadian, Israeli, South African, Thai, Australian newspapers) and report on at least three or four different news items for each posting. Should you be able to read another language, please feel free to use your language skills and consult media sources in the foreign language. A list with some suggested foreign media sources publishing at least partly in English will be handed out in class.
Quizzes: Two quizzes will be administered during the term. Each will count for 10% of your overall grade. The quizzes will test your comprehension of the assigned readings and will be given during the first twenty minutes of class.
Written Assignment: This assignment requires that you select a country other than the ones that are presented during the course. This can be the same as the country you might already have chosen as topic for the news presentation. Informed by the main concepts illustrated in this course, try to write a country review. You can use the structure of the country chapters in the course textbook as a guide for this assignment. The written assignment should be between 6 and 8 pages long. Papers should be double-spaced with margins of 1 inch to each side and include an introduction, clear structured sections with subheadings, a conclusion as well as a bibliography page. To write a good country report, you will need to spend some time in the library researching and to use citations properly. You will have to cite at least three academic sources for your report, i.e. articles out of academic journals or academic books. The use of Wikipedia is strongly discouraged beyond employing it as a starting point similar to an encyclopedia. It does not count as an academic source. Make sure to proofread! Spell checks can and do fail. A good paper is a well-written paper which avoids grammatical errors and spelling mistakes.
Additional information regarding the written assignment and the news presentation will be provided in the first class session.
Midterm and Final: These exams are meant to test your knowledge of the material presented during this course. They are comprehensive and cumulative, i.e. the exams will draw on the entirety of the lectures, readings and other materials presented in the class. Details on the format of the exams will be announced in class.
Give 24 hours advance notice or formal doctor’s letter for excused absence or assignment extension. No other extensions or absences will be excused. Late assignments lose a half letter grade each day. First half-grade is deducted on day of deadline for assignments turned in after class.
Students with learning disabilities will be accommodated in accord with university guidelines. Please speak with me during the first week of class.
Check your email every day. This is not optional at a modern university. I will often send you information on scheduling, corrections to lectures, and other messages that you need to see. It is your responsibility to check your email. Once I have sent you a message, I assume that you have that information.
Some advice: Do not hesitate to contact the instructor and / or GTF for assistance with your paper or for other questions. We are there to help you to succeed and make the best out of your learning experience. In short, come see and talk to us during office hours or send us an email. Be active in class, ask questions, and share your concerns. Chances are if you are confused about an issue, there are other students in the class that share your confusion. Last but not least, find a study partner. This will pay off in the long run. You can study together, share notes, and help each other with the assignments, e.g. help each other proofread or constructively critique the structure and information provided in the country report.
Classroom Etiquette:
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Cell phones: Please remember to turn off your cell phone before class and exams. If your cell phone rings in class it is not the end of the world, just try to turn it off as soon as possible. If you need to take an important call, please leave the room.
Please treat the other students in the course with respect. If you are participating in a debate, please criticize your opponent’s arguments rather than the opponent’s identity. If you come to class late or need to leave early, please do so in a quiet manner so as not to disrupt the classroom environment. If you need to say something to your neighbor, whisper it or write a note – those sitting nearby will thank you for your courtesy.
Grading Procedures:
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Activity |
When Due |
% of Grade |
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Participation |
On-going |
Varies; being quiet can’t hurt you, but strong participation can bump up your grade |
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News Presentation |
First Posting: Before Second Posting: Before |
10% (5% each) |
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Quizzes |
Quiz 1: October 20 Quiz 2: |
20% (10% each) |
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Midterm |
October 30 |
20% |
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Written assignment |
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25% |
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Final |
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25% |
Regrading of assignments: You may request the regrading of materials that have been graded by the instructor or one of the GTFs. Any request has to be made in writing by providing a brief explanation of why you wish to have the assignment regraded.
Incompletes: Incompletes will only be granted in exceptional emergency situations (such as death in the immediate family or serious illness – family visits, weddings, etc., do not count), when the relevant assignment(s) cannot be completed in time. In all other cases the grade will be based upon the work completed by the end of the quarter, which may result in a failing grade. The grade “I” for an incomplete may be assigned only after instructor and student have completed and signed a Contract for Grade of Incomplete which makes arrangements for the unfinished work to be completed. The Contract from is available on the Political Science website at http://polisci.uoregon.edu .
Academic Integrity, Plagiarism, Fabrication, Cheating, and Misconduct:
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Any form of plagiarism or cheating will not be tolerated. When you hand in an assignment, make sure that everything in it is your own work and that you have made the appropriate references where necessary. It is your responsibility to understand what constitutes plagiarism. Neither ignorance nor the lack of an intention to cheat or plagiarize will be considered a legitimate defense. Violations will be punished to the full extent possible. Raise any questions and concerns you have with the instructor before problems arise. To learn more about the University Policy on Academic Dishonesty, read it at http://ww.uoregon.edu/~conduct/sai.htm and check out the libraries’ description of plagiarism at http://libweb.uoregon.edu/guides/plagiarism/students/ .
Course Schedule:
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Date |
Class |
Assignment for Class |
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Week 1 |
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September 29 |
Introduction to class / Syllabus review |
No reading required |
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September 30 |
God save the Queen The |
TBA Available on Blackboard or at http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/7133315.stm: Jardine, Lisa (2007) Nation or State? |
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October 1 |
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TBA |
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October 2 |
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TBA |
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Week 2 |
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October 6 |
La Marseillaise |
TBA |
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October 7 |
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TBA |
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October 8 |
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TBA |
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October 9 |
Film:
Young, Muslim and French(2006) |
Catch up with reading or read ahead |
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Week 3 |
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October 13 |
Einigkeit und Recht und Freiheit Germany in historical perspective |
TBA |
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October 14 |
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TBA |
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October 15 |
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TBA |
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October 16 |
Film: TBA |
Catch up
with reading or read ahead |
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Week 4 |
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October 20 |
QUIZ 1 |
TBA |
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October 21 |
Государственный гимн Российской Федерации |
TBA |
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October 22 |
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TBA |
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October 23 |
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TBA |
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Week 5 |
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October 27 |
君が代 Japan in historical perspective |
TBA |
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October 28 |
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TBA |
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October 29 |
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TBA |
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October 30 |
MIDTERM |
No reading required |
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Week 6 |
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November 3 |
义勇军进行曲/義勇軍進行曲 |
TBA |
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November 4 |
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TBA |
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November 5 |
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TBA |
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November 6 |
Film: |
Catch up with reading or read ahead |
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Week 7 |
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November 10 |
Arise O
Compatriots, |
TBA |
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November 11 |
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Catch up with reading or read ahead |
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November 12 |
QUIZ 2 |
Catch up with reading or read ahead |
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November 13 |
Jana Gana Mana |
TBA |
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Week 8 |
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November 17 |
Jana Gana Mana |
TBA |
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November 18 |
Himno Nacional Mexicano Mexico in historical perspective |
TBA |
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November 19 |
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Catch up with reading or read ahead |
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November 20 |
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Catch up with reading or read ahead |
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Week 9 |
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November 24 |
Sorūd-e Mellī-e Īrān Iran in historical perspective |
TBA |
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November 25 |
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Catch up with reading or read ahead |
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November 26 |
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Catch up with reading or read ahead |
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November 27 |
Thanksgiving– No Class |
Catch up
with reading or read ahead |
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Week 10 |
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December 1 |