Comparative Politics: Professor Colette Mazzucelli

PSC02 (2) - Comparative Politics
Professor Colette Mazzucelli
Hofstra University

Course Description

This course aims to familiarize students with the basic concepts used in the study of comparative politics. Through the use of technology-mediated learning, we shall examine conceptual issues such as state building, regime types, governance, democratic transition, diverse forms of representation, election systems, political culture as well as a comparative look at different types of government institutions. Within this broad array of concepts we will examine topics such as globalization, development/underdevelopment and liberalization as well. Through this course students will learn to implement comparative approaches and to become better able to examine current events in a more analytical and informed fashion.

To fully explore these concepts, we will study specific countries. These examples are not meant to give an exhaustive treatment of the countries, but to provide an illustration of the diversity and complexity of politics. Through weekly interaction with Foreign Affairs and Carnegie Council for Ethics in International Affairs online archival text, audio and video You Tube resources, we will also discuss current events to enable students to apply what they are learning in the classroom to the real world. Since we are experiencing the first year of the Obama Administration in the United States, we will also be discussing important issues facing the country as these relate to comparative politics.

Syllabus_Mazzucelli_ComPol.pdf