McDaniel College Budapest 

Syllabus PSI 2213
PSI 2213 – Comparative European Politics

Professor: Kristin Makszin

Contact information kristin.makszin@gmail.com

Availability I am available before and after class for short consultations or via email.

Course Description

This highly-interactive course explores the history, institutions, and operations of European politics from a comparative perspective. Each week, we will explore a substantive topic related to politics in Europe by first addressing the topic from a theoretical perspective and then discussing the topic empirically by comparing the realities in different European countries. In addition to studying Western European countries, such as the United Kingdom, France, and Germany, the lectures and presentations will include comparisons with new member states in Central and Eastern Europe. The structure and role of the European Union will also be discussed extensively. While we cannot possibly learn everything about politics in every European country, different countries will be emphasized during different lectures and each student will be asked to research one country during the semester and present about that country throughout the semester. The objectives of the course are: (1) to familiarize participants with important theories of comparative politics, (2) to engage participants in discussions about the reality of politics in multiple European countries, (3) to induce participants to gain a deeper knowledge of a few European countries (based on their interests), and (4) to improve written and oral communication skills through active engagement in research and debates about politics in Europe.

Required texts

Gallagher, Michael, Michael Laver, and Peter Mair. Representative Government in Modern Europe. McGraw Hill. and handouts

Assignments & grading

Grading system—100 points total

Assignments
  • Presentations (20 pts)
  • Current event reports (10 pts)
  • Mid-term exam (10 pts)
  • Paper proposal and outline (10 pts)
  • Final paper (40 pts)
  • Class participation (10 pts)
 
Standard McDaniel College scale:

100+ A+
93-100 A
90-92 A-
88-89 B+
83-87 B
80-82 B-
78-79 C+
73-78 C
70-72 C-
68-69 D+
63-67 D
60-62 D-
< 60 F
 


Presentations (20%)

Each student will choose a country in Europe (that is not their home country) to focus on throughout the semester. For each topic that we cover, you are asked to do some research about your country (including information from the textbook and other resources) and each student will be asked to make a brief presentation summarizing their country on three occasions: February 23, March 8, and April 19. The instructor will present some information about the remaining countries and we will discuss and compare the realities of politics in different European countries. Further details about the expectations for the presentations will be discussed in class.

Current event reports (10%)

You are expected to follow events in European politics in the news throughout the semester. At the beginning of class each Tuesday, we will devote 15 minutes to discussing current events in European politics. On at least 5 occasions, each student should bring an article from a newspaper, magazine, or other news source to class that they can summarize in 2-3 minutes and we can discuss. Some recommended sources in English will be circulated. You are welcome to base your reports on non-English language sources as well.

Midterm exam – March 20

The mid-term exam will cover the topics from the first seven weeks of the course. It will be written in-class and will consist of short answer and essay questions.

Paper proposal – due April 13

The paper proposal is a maximum 1000 word summary of the topic of the final paper. More details about how to construct a strong proposal will be discussed in class.

Final paper – due May 11

The final paper should be related to one of the topics of the course and should compare at least two European countries. It must involve research beyond the course material, but can be informed by your presentations or current event reports. The choice of topic is quite free, but should be discussed with the instructor in advance. You will get feedback on potential topics (submitted by March 14) and on the paper proposal (submitted by April 13). The paper should be between 2,500 and 3,500 words (excluding bibliography) and should be submitted via email in Word format.

Class participation (10%)

You are expected to attend class, be prepared, and participate actively in the discussions throughout the semester.

Honor code

You are expected to completely adhere to the McDaniel College academic honor code. Any violation will result in a zero on the related assignment or exam or other appropriate measures.

Course policies

Given the importance of interactive learning in the course, class attendance is essential. You are expected to be on time and prepared for class. Late arrival for class will be counted as half an absence. You will be allowed three unexcused absences. Each additional unexcused absence will result in 5% reduction of the final grade and will lower your class participation grade. Even if absent, students are expected to cover the material missed and complete the class requirements on time.

Semester schedule/topics covered (with required reading in parentheses)

Week 1: January 31 & February 2 Introduction to Comparative European Politics
Week 2: February 7 & 9 A brief history of the various paths to democracy in Europe
Week 3: February 14 & 16 Tues.: Constitutions and judicial systems (RGiME Ch. 2)
Thurs.: The Executive (RGiME Ch. 3)
Week 4: February 21 & 23 Tues.: Parliaments (RGiME Ch. 4)
Thurs.: Student presentations and cross-country comparison
Week 5: February 28 & March 1 Tues.: Types of political parties (RGiME Ch. 8)
Thurs.: Party systems and Cleavage structures (RGiME Ch. 9)
Week 6: March 6 & 8 Tues.: Electoral systems (RGiME Ch. 11)
Thurs.: Student presentations and cross-country comparison
Week 7: March 13 Tues.: Review for midterm exam
Submit two ideas for final paper topics via email by Mar. 14
No class on Thursday, March 15
Week 8: March 20 &22 Mid-term exam – Tuesday, March 20
Thurs.: Government formation (RGiME Ch. 12)
Week 9: March 27 & 29 Politics outside Parliaments' (RGiME Ch. 14)
Easter Holiday: April 3 & 5 No classes on Tuesday or Thursday
Week 10: April 10 & 12 Varieties of political economies (Handouts)
Paper proposal due on April 13 (submit via email)
Week 11: April 17 &19 Tues.: The structure of the European Union (RGiME Ch. 5)
Thurs: Student presentations and cross-country comparison
Week 12: April 24 & 26 European Union integration (political, economic, and cultural) and enlargement (Handouts)
Week 13: May 3 No class on Tuesday, May 1
Thurs.: Contemporary debates in European politics
Week 14: May 8 & 10 Contemporary debates in European politics
Friday, May 11 Final paper due (submit via email)
 


  Search
PSI 2213