POLn4002 Comparative Political Analysis

Faculty of Social Studies
Spring 2025
Extent and Intensity
2/0/0. 8 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
doc. Marek Rybář, M.A., Ph.D. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
doc. Marek Rybář, M.A., Ph.D.
Department of Political Science – Faculty of Social Studies
Contact Person: Mgr. Lucie Pospíšilová
Supplier department: Division of Politology – Department of Political Science – Faculty of Social Studies
Prerequisites
! POL401 Comparative Politics && !NOW( POL401 Comparative Politics )
none
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is only offered to the students of the study fields the course is directly associated with.
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
After successful completion of the course, the students will be able to understand key questions of comparative statics and comparative dynamics of modern political and social processes. Students will learn how to assess conceptualization and operationalization of these processes, their origins, and impact, as well as to evaluate the epistemological questions related to their understanding.
Learning outcomes
On completion of this course, students should:
- have improved their ability to think critically, engage in complex reasoning, and express their thoughts clearly through their written work
- have improved their understanding of the comparative method for the study of politics
- master how to research basic questions in the field of comparative politics
- recognize works by the principal protagonists of the field and understand why they are significant
Syllabus
  • 1. Introduction
  • 2. What is comparative politics,
  • 3. Comparative Methods
  • 4.Long-term development I (modernization, geography, natural resources)
  • 5. Long-term development II (institutions, demography, infrastructure)
  • 6. Modern states
  • 7. Nation/alism
  • 8. Democracy
  • 9. Autocracy
  • 10. Institutions of the modern state I (parliaments, cabinets,executive-legislative relations)
  • 11. Democratic competition and political representation
  • 12. Organized interests and political participation
Literature
    required literature
  • The Oxford handbook of political executives. Edited by R. B. Andeweg - Robert Elgie - Ludger Helms - Juliet Kaarbo - Ferdinan. First edition. Oxford: Oxford university press, 2020, xxii, 836. ISBN 9780198809296. info
  • Comparative politics. Edited by Daniele Caramani. Fourth edition. Oxford: Oxford university press, 2017, xl, 605. ISBN 9780198737421. info
  • Democracy, accountability, and representation. Edited by Adam Przeworski - Susan Carol Stokes - Bernard Manin. 1st pub. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1999, ix, 351. ISBN 0521646162. info
    recommended literature
  • The Oxford handbook of comparative politics. Edited by Carles Boix - Susan Carol Stokes. 1st pub. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2007, xi, 1021. ISBN 9780199566020. info
  • INGLEHART, Ronald and Christian WELZEL. Modernization, cultural change, and democracy : the human development sequence. New York NY: Cambridge University Press, 2005, x, 333. ISBN 0521609712. info
Teaching methods
The course consists of quizzes, lectures and class discussions.
Assessment methods
Two position papers (max. 20 points), final exam (closed-book&closed notes (max. 30 points), final essay (max. 20 points).
Language of instruction
Czech
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
The course is taught annually.
The course is taught: every week.
Teacher's information
Students are expected to know the Masaryk University study rules and maintain academic honesty by refraining from plagiarism and from cheating during exams. Plagiarism means that one presents other people's ideas as one’s own and does not credit the author. Plagiarism is one of the most serious breaches of ethical standards in the academic environment, for it denies the mission of the university and the meaning of studying. From a legal perspective, plagiarism is the stealing of intellectual property. The official Faculty of Social Studies disciplinary policy states that academic dishonesty is not tolerated under any circumstances. For students caught plagiarizing or cheating in a course, the minimum penalty is immediate expulsion from the course, a grade of F for the semester, and a referral to the Faculty Dean, who may choose to send the case to the FSS Disciplinary Committee. To avoid plagiarism, students are responsible for learning and following the rules about the proper citation of sources.
The course is also listed under the following terms Autumn 2019, Spring 2020, Spring 2021, Spring 2022, Spring 2023, Spring 2024.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Spring 2025, recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/fss/spring2025/POLn4002