POLS 201 - Comparative Government

Credits: 5
Course Description: A study of the structure and functioning of foreign political systems, including constitutional development, political parties, elections and bureaucracies. Parliamentary governments of Europe, the presidential governments of the Western Hemisphere and emerging governments of Eastern Europe will be used as models.

Prerequisite: ENGL 099 with a C or higher (or placement into ENGL& 101).
Distribution Requirements:

Social Sciences Distribution Requirement

General Education Requirements:

Fulfills Engage General Education Requirement

Meets FQE Requirement: No
Integrative Experience Requirement: No

Student Learning Outcomes

More effectively gather data, analyze this information, and develop stategies to extract meaning from politics around the world using critical thinkingo skills.
Become sensitive to the diversity of political systems that exist globally.
Identify and discuss the various purposes of government.
Understand the political cultures and governments of diverse populations around the world.
Comprehend and discuss the three models of government and their implementation in various areas of the world.
Apply these understandings of government to current events with critical reasoning skills.
Recognize and discuss the various branches, organs, and functions of government as they appear globally.
SOCIAL SCIENCES: Identify social variables, structures, and experiences that shape individual perspectives.

Course Contents

Purpose of government
Models of Government (examples in 1st, 2nd, 3rd world)
Philosophy of Government behind each model
Political culture and impact on organization
Historical context and historical development of models (examples from 1, 2, 3rd world)
Election systems (PR and SMDP)
Ethnicity and the State
Party Systems and relation to governmental operation

Instructional Units: 5