SP&E 351 - Comparative Political Institutions

The study of political institutions dominates the field of comparative politics. In this course, we will examine both the validity and foundations of the study of political institutions as well as look in-depth at the institutions of modern government. This course is a core requirement for the comparative politics concentration. It provides foundational concepts and methods of analysis necessary for the regional and elective comparative politics courses. Moreover, this class is a useful elective course for concentrations in American politics and International Relations. American political institutions are used as a basis for understanding the functioning of institutions in other countries. Accordingly, students learn about American institutions and the effect of those institutions that is not visible outside of a comparative perspective. In international relations, the domestic politics of the world’s governments are crucial to understanding how they behave in the international arena. This course provides a strong foundation for analyzing the behavior and motivations of governments. Specifically, this course examines the diversity and causal effects of the institutions of democracy across the world. These include executives, legislatures, bureaucracies, courts, electoral rules, and party systems. The methods of analysis are diverse; we examine cross-national statistical research, case studies, formal models, and more. Students also learn the broad concepts of institutions and institutional analysis that can be applied across the wide variety of democracies and autocracies alike.
Units: 4
Course Type: Seminar