GISDepartment of Global and Interdisciplinary Studies

This course seeks to broaden and deepen the students' knowledge of comparative politics. Integrating theories, concepts and approaches in comparative politics and case studies, the course blends country-to-country and thematic approaches. Comprehensive country studies help students in seeing similarities and differences among states and regimes around the world and in grasping and applying key theories and concepts. The course also provides students with a more thorough understanding of the contemporary discourses and debates on key topics studied in “Introduction to Comparative Politics,” such as states and political systems, democratic and authoritarian regimes; political development; political culture; political processes; and the impact of globalization. The course also offers deeper discussions on some important issues or themes that may have been only cursorily covered in introductory politics or comparative politics courses, such as constitutions, branches of government, subnational government, elections and political parties. Government and politics, together with brief histories, of the following countries will be studied and compared: Japan, United Kingdom, Germany, United States, France, Russia, China, India, Mexico, Nigeria, Iran and possibly also Turkey.

The course aims to raise the students' knowledge and understanding of comparative politics to a more advanced level; to help them gain a stronger and more thorough grasp of the theories, concepts and approaches in comparative politics; and to help them develop their skills in examining real-world problems and issues more incisively and in presenting their positions more cogently, using theories and methods in comparative politics.

Will be able to gain “DP 1”, “DP 2”, “DP 3”, and “DP 4”.

英語 / English

The course will consist mainly of lectures and open discussion. Students will be asked - and encouraged - to express their views on topics being discussed. Audio-visual aids (video clips, photos, maps illustrations) will be used to help make issues and events much more concrete and vivid to students, and to help stimulate discussion and debate. Feedback on assignments will be provided during class discussions, by email or through individual consultations.

あり / Yes

なし / No

授業形態/methods of teaching：対面/face to face

※各回の授業形態は予定です。教員の指示に従ってください。

1[オンライン/online]：Introduction

Comparing government and politics; political systems (McCormick, ch. 1, 2)

2[対面/face to face]：Politics in Japan

Political systems (continuation);
Ch. 6, McCormick + recent article on Japan

3[対面/face to face]：Politics in the United Kingdom

Ch. 3, McCormick + recent article on UK

4[対面/face to face]：Politics in Germany

Ch. 4, McCormick +
recent article on Germany

5[対面/face to face]：Politics in the United States

Ch. 5, McCormick + recent article on US

6[対面/face to face]：Politics in France

Ch. 7, McCormick + recent article on France

7[対面/face to face]：Review & Exam

Assess to what degree students understand topics discussed; midterm exam

8[対面/face to face]：Politics in Russia

Ch. 12, McCormick + recent article on Russia

9[対面/face to face]：Politics in China

Ch. 13, McCormick + recent article on China

10[対面/face to face]：Politics in India

Ch. 8, McCormick + recent article on India

11[対面/face to face]：Politics in Mexico

Ch. 9, McCormick + recent article on Mexico

12[対面/face to face]：Politics in Nigeria

Ch. 10, McCormick + recent article on Nigeria

13[対面/face to face]：Politics in Iran

Ch. 14, McCormick + recent article on Iran

14[対面/face to face]：Politics in Turkey; Exam

Ch. 11, McCormick + recent article on Turkey; final exam

Before class, students should study the required readings and work on the assignment (individual or group) to be submitted. After class, and especially before an exam, students should review their notes, as well as check the notes provided by the instructor. Preparatory study is 4 hours for each class session, but group work may entail an additional 30 minutes.

John McCormick. 2020, Cases in Comparative Government and Politics, London: Red Globe Press,

• Andrew Heywood, 2019, Politics, 5th edition, London: Red Globe Press.
• G. Bingham Powell, Jr., Russell J. Dalton, Kaare W. Strom, 2018. Comparative Politics Today: A World View, 12th edition, Essex: Pearson.
• Articles from journals, newspapers or magazines and chapters from other books.

Participation; fulfillment of assignments: 40% of overall course mark.
Midterm exam: 30%
Final exam: 30%.

Nothing in particular.

It is recommended that participants have taken at least a basic course in politics or an introductory course in comparative politics in previous semesters.

Use of mobile phones, laptops and other electronic devices in the classroom during class is prohibited (exceptions only in special cases). Students attending classes online should use desktops or laptops, not mobile phones.

None.