Introduction to Comparative Politics

Instructor Information

• Instructor: Dr. Deborah Evans (Associate Professor of Political Science)
• Email: devans@university.alkimi.ai
• Office: Lovell Hall 262
• Office Hours:
  • Monday & Wednesday: 10:00–11:30 a.m. (In person, Lovell Hall 262)
  • Tuesday: 2:00–3:00 p.m. (Virtual via Zoom; link posted in Canvas)
  • Also available by appointment.

Course Description

States, regimes, and political development across world regions, comparing democratic and authoritarian systems, electoral rules, political economy, and social movements. POSC 105 introduces the comparative study of domestic political institutions, regime types, and political processes across the world's major geographic regions. Students utilize comparative methodological frameworks to explore how state capacity, national identity, electoral designs, and political economies shape governance outcomes. Moving beyond Western paradigms, the course contrasts consolidated liberal democracies with competitive authoritarian systems, military dictatorships, and hybrid regimes, investigating the systemic drivers of economic development, political violence, social movements, and democratic backsliding.

Prerequisites

None.

Measurable Student Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of POSC 105, students will be able to:

1. Apply Comparative Methodologies: Utilize most-similar and most-different systems research designs to compare political institutions and governance outcomes across nation-states.
2. Analyze State Capacity and Sovereignty: Evaluate the historical origins, autonomy, and administrative capacity of modern states, examining challenges to state sovereignty.
3. Contrast Regime Types and Institutions: Differentiate democratic, authoritarian, totalitarian, and hybrid regimes, assessing the impact of presidential vs. parliamentary executive systems.
4. Evaluate Electoral Systems and Parties: Analyze how single-member district plurality and proportional representation systems structure political competition, party systems, and ethnic representation.
5. Examine Political Violence and Development: Investigate the root causes of revolutions, civil wars, and regime transitions within developing economies and resource-dependent states.

Required Course Materials & Approximate Costs

1. Patrick H. O'Neil. Essentials of Comparative Politics. 7th ed., W. W. Norton & Co., 2020. Approx. $45 digital rental, $85 print purchase.
2. Alkimi Comparative Politics Case Study Reader (Canvas OER). Free digital access provided via Canvas.
3. Total estimated cost: $45 to $85.

Generative AI Policy (AI Level 2: AI Permitted with Disclosure for Specified Tasks)

In accordance with Alkimi University Academic Policies (Student Handbook §5.8), POSC 105 operates under AI Level 2.

• What is permitted: You may use generative AI tools to explore comparative country datasets (such as Freedom House or V-Dem indices), look up historical constitutional transitions, and check spelling and grammar on preliminary drafts.
• What is prohibited: You may not use generative AI to write comparative country case analyses, generate draft paragraphs for essays, fabricate comparative political indicators, or answer examination questions.
• Disclosure: All submitted papers and comparative briefs must include an AI disclosure statement identifying any tools used for exploratory data gathering or syntax review, along with a certification of independent analysis.

Grading Components and Weights

• Midterm Examination: 20% (In class, Thursday, October 8)
• Comparative Regime Case Study: 20% (Due Friday, September 25 at 11:59 p.m.)
• Country Comparison Term Paper: 25% (Due Friday, November 20 at 11:59 p.m.)
• Weekly Comparative Case Responses: 15% (Weekly short analytical responses comparing political institutions submitted in Canvas on Mondays at 11:59 p.m.; lowest score dropped)
• Country Briefings & Seminar Debates: 5% (Active participation in weekly comparative political debates and country simulations)
• Comprehensive Final Examination: 15% (Thursday, December 17, 2026, 3:30–5:30 p.m.)

Grading Scale (Alkimi University Standard)

• A: 93–100% | A-: 90–92%
• B+: 87–89% | B: 83–86% | B-: 80–82%
• C+: 77–79% | C: 73–76% | C-: 70–72%
• D+: 67–69% | D: 60–66% | F: Below 60%
• Extra credit: No extra credit assignments are offered in POSC 105. Your grade is based on demonstrated analytical depth on papers, weekly case responses, and examinations.

Course Schedule (Fall 2026)

Course Policies

Attendance Policy

Comparative political analysis thrives on vigorous debate and collaborative case evaluation in Lovell Hall 210. Regular attendance is required. Students are allowed up to two unexcused absences without grade penalty; subsequent unexcused absences lower your final grade by one-third of a letter grade. Missing more than five class sessions will result in a failing grade. Students who miss the first two class meetings without notifying the instructor may be dropped. Students may miss class for religious observance without penalty if they notify the instructor in writing within the first two weeks of the semester (by Wednesday, September 9, 2026). Absences for university-sponsored activities (athletics, performances, conferences) are excused with a letter from the sponsoring office at least one week in advance.

Late Work Policy

Comparative case briefs and term papers submitted late lose one-third of a letter grade per calendar day overdue and will not be accepted more than four days past the deadline. Weekly online case responses cannot be submitted late.

Final Exam Policy

The final examination (Thursday, December 17, 2026, 3:30–5:30 p.m.) is scheduled by the University Registrar and can't be moved without the Dean's written approval (Faculty Handbook §5.5). A student with three or more final exams on the same calendar day may reschedule one of them. Requests go to the instructor of the middle exam by the last day of classes. For this term, send the request by Wednesday, December 9, 2026 (Student Handbook §6.4).