Politics 216: Politics of Advanced Industrial Societies
Spring Semester 2012
Smullin Hall Room 216
MWF 9:10–10:10
Prof. Michael Marks
Office: Smullin Hall 332
Office Tel: 503-370-6932
E-mail: mmarks
Home Page: http://www.willamette.edu/~mmarks
Office Hours: MWF: 10:15–11:15, Tu 8:30–9:40, Th
11:15–12:15, and by appointment
Course Description
This course is designed to introduce students to politics and
government in advanced industrial societies. Primary emphasis will be
placed on democratic countries in Europe, North America, and Japan,
although references will also be made to Australia, New Zealand, and
the emerging industrial democracies of East Asia, along with other
emerging democratic societies. Through readings, lectures and
discussions, students will explore governmental structures,
policy-making, popular participation, and domestic and foreign policy
issues across a variety of countries. Emphasis will be placed on the
current state of politics in an industrialized world undergoing
fundamental change in the post-Cold War era. The nature of democracy
provides the backdrop for this discussion.
Student Learning Outcomes
At the conclusion of this course students should be able to:
1. Demonstrate an understanding of similarities and differences in
political institutions in advanced industrial societies.
2. Distinguish among competing explanations for political activity in
advanced industrial societies.
3. Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of arguments made in course
readings.
4. Identify sources of change in the politics of advanced industrial
societies.
5. Write effectively and persuasively analyzing similarities and
differences in political institutions in advanced industrial societies.
6. Use factual evidence to analyze politics in advanced industrial
societies.
Course Organization
The course will employ a combination of lectures and student
participation. Therefore, students will be expected to have completed
the readings and be prepared to engage actively in the classroom
discussion.
About Class Participation
The large size of this class is not particularly suited to classroom
discussion. However, people tend to learn better when they verbalize
new material. Therefore, students should be prepared to discuss the
readings the weeks they are assigned.
Electronic Devices in the Classroom
Laptop computers can assist in note taking and wireless Internet access
on campus can aid in organized classroom exercises. However, laptop
computers can also be a classroom distraction. Laptop computers are
permitted in class for note taking purposes. Additionally, there may be
occasions when the class as a whole may want to use the campus wireless
network to look things up online. However, please refrain from checking
e-mail, online chatting, websurfing, game playing, etc. during class.
If you are observed doing so during class time, you will asked to no
longer bring your laptop to class. Additionally, cell phones should be
turned off prior to class.
Accommodations
Students requiring accommodation should contact the Office of
Disability & Learning Services (Baxter Hall, Phone: 503-370-6471,
TTY: 503-375-5383) for consultation and to make the necessary
arrangements.
Managing the Reading List
In order to profit fully from the readings, students should read the
material assigned for a particular week before
the scheduled classroom discussion. We will discuss the readings
assuming that the students have read them ahead of time. It is
absolutely necessary that students be prepared to discuss the readings
in the weekly discussion sections.
Readings
Students should purchase the following three books:
1. Jessica R. ADOLINO and Charles H. BLAKE, Comparing Public Policies: Issues and
Choices in Industrialized Countries, (Second Edition),
(Washington, DC: CQ Press, 2011)
2. Markus M.L. CREPAZ and Jürg STEINER , European Democracies, (Seventh
Edition), (New York: Pearson Longman, 2011).
3. Mark KESSELMAN, (ed.), Readings
in Comparative Politics, (Second Edition), (Boston: Wadsworth,
2010)
The readings below are noted as “ADOLINO & BLAKE,”
“CREPAZ & STEINER,” and “KESSELMAN.”
Writing Assignments
1. There will be three take-home writing assignments. Questions will
ask the students to analyze and evaluate some feature of the preceding
weeks’ thematic discussions as covered in class and in the
readings. No research is required for these take-home writing
assignments.
2. Each week, except those weeks in
which essays (above) are due, students are to choose one of the
course readings for that week and hand in, in class on Monday of that week,
a short (no more than one paragraph) summary of the reading’s
main points, along with a discussion question for that reading. These assignments are due in class on
Mondays. No credit will be given for late submissions of these reading
summaries.
Grading
The final grade will be computed as follows: First writing assignment:
20%; Second and third writing assignments: 35% each; Weekly summaries
of course readings: 10%. In addition, the instructor reserves the right
to raise final grades for superior classroom participation, and lower
final grades for deficient classroom attendance.
Incompletes will be given only under exceptional circumstances such as
serious illness. You may appeal any of your grades during office hours
only after you have handed in a typed, reasoned memorandum detailing
the specific reasons why you think the grade you received is not
justified.
Late writing assignments will be assessed a one-third grade penalty per
day (e.g., a B+ paper handed in a day late receives a B, two days late
a B-, etc.).
Course Schedule and Weekly Reading
Assignments
January 16–20:
Introduction
No readings
January 23–27:
Elections and Popular Participation
1. CREPAZ & STEINER: Chapters 3, 6
2. KESSELMAN: Reading 6.5
January 30–February 3:
The Structure of Government
1. CREPAZ & STEINER: 4–5
2. ADOLINO & BLAKE: Chapters 3–4
February 6–10:
Political Parties
1. CREPAZ & STEINER: Chapter 2
FEBRUARY 13: FIRST PAPER DUE
February 13–17:
Pluralism, Interest Groups, Corporatism, and the State
1. CREPAZ & STEINER: Chapter 8
2. KESSELMAN: Readings 3.2, 3.3, 4.2
February 20–24: Social
Movements
1. CREPAZ & STEINER: Chapter 7
2. KESSELMAN: Readings 6.6, 7.2
February 27–March 2:
Civil Liberties, Civil Rights, and Civic Society
1. KESSELMAN: Readings 4.1, 4.3, 7.3, 7.4
March 5–9: Economic
Policy I
1. ADOLINO & BLAKE: Chapters 6–7
2. KESSELMAN: Readings 3.1, 3.4
MARCH 12: SECOND PAPER DUE
March 12–16: Economic
Policy II: The Welfare State and Social Policy
1. CREPAZ & STEINER: Chapter 15
2. ADOLONO & BLAKE: Chapters 8–10
3. KESSELMAN: Reading 7.1
March 19–23:
Nationalism, Ethnic Politics, and Consociationalism
1. CREPAZ & STEINER: Chapters 12–13
2. KESSELMAN: Readings 1.5, 1.6, 5.2, 5.5, 6.4
March 26–30: Spring
Break
Spring Break
April 2–6:
Democratization in Historical Context
1. CREPAZ & STEINER: Chapters 10–11
2. KESSELMAN: Reading 1.2
April 9–13: Democratic
Consolidation and the Status of Democracy Today
1. KESSELMAN: Readings 4.4, 4.5, 4.6, 4.7, 6.2
April 16–20: Political
Change and Corruption
1. KESSELMAN: Readings 2.2, 2.4, 5.1, 6.1, 7.5
APRIL 23: THIRD PAPER DUE
April 23–27:
Post-Modern Politics
1. KESSELMAN: Readings 1.1, 1.4, 2.3, 2.6, 3.6
April 30: Conclusion
No readings