Syllabus (pdf)

Recommended Textbook

Principles of Comparative Politics
Clark, Golder, and Golder (2009)
(Amazon, Barnes and Noble)
~$85 new and ~$35 used
Also on 2-hour reserve in Strozier

Schedule

Date	Description
1/4	Syllabus
1/9	Lecture: An Introduction to Political Science - Homework 1 due - Quiz 1 (canceled) over Lave and March, chs. 1-2, (Bb)
1/11	No class. SPSA Meeting.
1/16	No class. MLK Holiday.
1/18	Class canceled
1/23	Lecture: Conceptualization and Model-Building
1/25	Lecture: Extensive Form Games
1/30	Lecture: Normal Form Games - Homework 1 due
2/1	Lecture: Measuring Concepts - Homework 2 due
2/6	Lecture: Making Compelling Comparisons - Homework 3 due - Exam Review (if time allows)
2/8	Exam #1
2/13	Lecture: Defining and Defending Democracy (No Slides) - Quiz 2 over Dahl, On Political Equality (Bb)
2/15	Lecture: Measuring Democracy
2/20	Lecture: Speculating About Wealth and Democracy (No Slides) - Homework 4 due
2/22	Lecture: Explaining the Relationship Between Wealth and Democracy Questions for exam: 1.) Explain the two theories. 2.) What are their differences and similarities? 3.) What theory do the data support overall? 4.) Which specific implications are supported?
2/27	Lecture: Making More Rigorous Comparisons Questions for exam: 1.) Know how to interpret regression tables using the sign and significance method.
2/29	Lecture: Presidential Regimes and Democratic Survival - Quiz 3 over Ross (2001) - Homework 5 due (serves as a study guide for the quiz)
3/5	No Class: Spring Break
3/7	No Class: Spring Break
3/12	Lecture: Bottom-Up Transitions - Quiz 4 over Olson, ch. 2, (Bb)
3/14	No class.
3/19	Lecture: Top-Down Transitions
3/21	Exam #2
3/26	Lecture: Majoritarian Electoral Systems
3/28	Class Canceled
4/2	Lecture: Proportional Electoral Systems
4/4	Lecture: Defining and Counting Political Parties - Homework 6 due - Quiz 5 over Blais (2006)
4/9	Lecture: Duverger's Theory
4/11	Lecture: Social Choice (Part 1/Part 2) - Quiz 6 over Downs, chs. 7 and 8
4/16	Exam #3
4/18	Review for Final
4/25	Comprehensive Final Exam Wednesday, 12:30-2:30pm Essay, Short-Answer Format