COMPARATIVE GOVERNMENT
Political Science 2 (3 units)
T/Th 10:55-12:20, Room LASS 26
Section 51742

WELCOME!!!!!

Don't know much about the political world you live in?  Ever wonder what the difference is between a Parliament and a Congress?  Or a Republic and a Communist state?  Well, you've come to the right party!  Political Science 2 explores the government and politics of some of the major world powers as well as developing nations.  Structures, functions and policies are compared with each other and the U.S. government.  Particular consideration is given to contemporary world problems.  You will learn the major terms, types and functions of institutions, cultural patterns, economic systems and global interdependence issues.  Political Science 2 may be used to meet Social Science Series I or II requirements in the General Education pattern for transfer to the California State University system.

• Textbook: Mark Kesselman, et. al, Introduction to Comparative Politics, 6th Ed.  (ISBN 9781111831820).
• ONLINE:  Articles are listed below for each country.

You are responsible for having each of these readings completed by their assigned day on the syllabus.

For a better understanding of the topics covered in this class, you should read the San Jose Mercury News, the San Francisco Chronicle, or the New York Times daily, in addition to Time,  Newsweek, Foreign Policy Magazine,  or Current History. You can also learn a lot by watching news programs such as the Jim Lehrer News Hour and BBC (both broadcast on your local PBS stations), as well as CNN. Your success in this class depends on the initiative you put into it!

Course Objectives

• to compare and contrast government as it is exercised in various parts of the world;
• to understand various concepts and principles of how political power is expressed outside the U.S.;
• to have a better understanding of "globalization" and how it effects you;
• to practice critical analysis in written assignments.

General Class Policies

1. Cell phones and computers must be turned off in the classroom (NO texting during class!)
2. Save this syllabus as evidence for transfer to a four-year institution.
3. Class participation and COMPLETING THE ASSIGNED READING by the beginning of each topic are essential to passing this course.
4. Late work is marked down 1/3 of a grade for each day that it is handed in late after the end of class when it is due. E-mailed assignments will NOT be accepted.
5. Tutoring is available at no charge at Tutorial Services.  It is provided by qualified, trained, students who have been recommended by the faculty.  Contact Tutorial Services in the Library Building or call 741-2038.
6. Quizzes may be administered by the Instructor without warning if he feels students are not keeping up with the readings.  Incorrect answers will be deducted from a student's overall participation grade.
7. Plagiarism/cheating will result in automatic failures for the course and offenders will be referred to the CSSO for disciplinary action.  Familiarize yourself with the campus policy on cheating detailed in the College Catalog under Student Conduct Code, 5.8.19 Policy on Cheating.  (You will find examples of what plagiarism is and how to avoid it at http://www.indiana.edu/~wts/wts/plagiarism.html)
8. West Valley College makes reasonable accommodations for persons with documented disabilities. College materials will be available in alternate formats (Braille, audio, electronic format, or large print) upon request.  Please contact the Disability and Educational Support Program at (408) 741-2010 (voice) or (408) 741-2658 (TTY) for assistance.
9. Student Learning Outcome:  Students will work in a group at the end of the semester to build a country using the economic, political, and social concepts discussed in class.

Pass/No Pass Option

Students wishing to take this class with the Pass/No Pass grade option must fill out the required form with Admissions and Records (click HERE for the form) no later than the due date specified below (see Dates to Remember).  Faculty no longer play a role in whether students request Pass/No Pass.  See the WVC Catalog under "Academic Regulations and Standards" for more information about this option.  

Attendance Policy

Per the WVC Catalog (see Rights and Responsibilities), regular attendance is mandatory.  Punctuality is also important; therefore roll will be taken at the beginning of the class.  Students will receive a 1 point reduction from their total grade for each tardy.  More than one absence will constitute a reduction of 2 points for each additional absence.  Students missing more than 5 classes in a row before the final drop date may be dropped unless they notify the instructor.

Web Page

A class web page can be found for Poli Sci 2 at Canvas.  This page contains the syllabus, lecture outlines, PowerPoint lectures, on-line readings, and Study Guides for the Midterm and Final Exam.  This web page serves as a supplement to the lectures and in-class discussions, not as a substitute.    STUDENTS SHOULD PRINT OUT THE OUTLINES BEFORE LECTURE.

Quizzes

Your two quizzes this semester will be conducted on Canvas rather than in class.  These quizzes cover the textbook, online readings, and lectures (Chapters 1,7,2,4 for Quiz 1, and Chapters 5,6,10,8 for Quiz 2)  In addition to doing the assigned readings, you may find useful the companion web page for your textbook maintained by your book's publisher at http://www.cengagebrain.com/cgi-wadsworth/course_products_wp.pl?fid=M20b&product_isbn_issn=9781111831820&token= .  This companion web page has practice quiz questions. (Click HERE for more instructions, as well as how to log on to Canvas.) 

Dates to Remember

9/11: 9/29-10/01: 9/30: 10/11:

Last Day to Drop w/out a "W" Quiz #1 Available (Chs 1, 7, 2, 4) Last Day to Request Pass/No Pass  Take Home Midterm Pt 1 Due

10/27: 11/10-12: 11/19: 11/24:

Take Home Midterm Part II Due Quiz #2 Available (Chs 5,6,10,8) Last Day to Drop w/ a "W" Turkey Day Holiday

FINAL EXAM SCHEDULE:  Thursday, DECEMBER 15, 9:40-11:40