Course 2013-2014 a.y.

20270 - COMPARATIVE POLITICS


CLMG - M - IM - MM - AFC - CLAPI - CLEFIN-FINANCE - CLELI - ACME - DES-ESS - EMIT

Department of Social and Political Sciences

Course taught in English

Go to class group/s: 31
CLMG (6 credits - II sem. - OP  |  SPS/04) - M (6 credits - II sem. - OP  |  SPS/04) - IM (6 credits - II sem. - OP  |  SPS/04) - MM (6 credits - II sem. - OP  |  SPS/04) - AFC (6 credits - II sem. - OP  |  SPS/04) - CLAPI (6 credits - II sem. - OP  |  SPS/04) - CLEFIN-FINANCE (6 credits - II sem. - OP  |  SPS/04) - CLELI (6 credits - II sem. - OP  |  SPS/04) - ACME (6 credits - II sem. - OP  |  SPS/04) - DES-ESS (6 credits - II sem. - OP  |  SPS/04) - EMIT (6 credits - II sem. - OP  |  SPS/04)
Course Director:
PAOLO ROBERTO GRAZIANO

Classes: 31 (II sem.)
Instructors:
Class 31: KENNETH ALLEN SHEPSLE


Course Objectives

This course examines approaches to the study of comparative politics, institutions and policy from an analytical perspective.


Course Content Summary

Approaches to Politics

  • Rationality
  • The arithmetic of majority rule
  • Workhorse models (spatial models, bargaining models, principal-agent theory, special interest/collective action models)

Institutions

  • Legislatures
  • Bureaucracies
  • Courts
  • Parties
  • Coalition governments and government formation

Policy

  • Puiblic goods
  • Distributive politics
  • Regulation

Detailed Description of Assessment Methods

For those attending lectures, there are two requirements.First, you must participate in a team presentation at the end of term and write a 1000 word memorandum on the readings for that presentation due one week after the presentation.Second, a final paper (approximately 5000 words) is due June 1. Paper topics should be discussed with the teaching assistant or instructor by April 15.Grading is weighted as follows:student team presentation (25%), final paper (75%).For those not attending lecture, and therefore not participating in a team presentation, a final paper (approximately 7500 words) is due by June 1 and will comprise 100% of the grade.
Students who have NOT passed the exam yet for the previous year have to prepare the current program. For information please contact prof. Paolo Graziano.


Textbooks

  • KEN SHEPSLE, Analyzing Politics, Norton, 2010
  • Papers and articles will be available on electronic platforms
Exam textbooks & Online Articles (check availability at the Library)
Last change 17/06/2013 11:09