Course overview
The rise of China, India and the European Union, alongside other regional powers such as Japan and Russia, has raised questions about the United States' continued dominance in global politics and economics. It has also opened a debate about competing political and socio-economic developmental models and their effectiveness in promoting political stability, economic growth and social equity. Employing theories, concepts and methods of Comparative Politics, this course compares and contrasts the political systems of major powers. It examines their political history, constitutions, political institutions and parties, electoral systems, economic systems, political cultures and domestic contests. It also reflects upon policy-making processes and their capacity to address critical socio-economic problems states and nations face in the 21st century.
Course learning outcomes
- Define the key terms in Comparative Politics
- Discuss the political history, institutions, political cultures, political parties, interest groups, political issues, cleavages, and the major political conflicts of various contemporary political systems
- Compare and contrast major aspects of democratic and non-democratic political systems
- Compare and contrast economic challenges facing developed and developing states
- Debate the role of a state in economic development
- Participate in group discussions about contested concepts with confidence and with tolerance for other points of view
- Navigate the large amounts of research material available in this subject through both traditional academic sources and through the use of information technology
- Demonstrate career readiness and leadership skills appropriate for beginning professional practice, including lifelong learning skills characterised by academic rigour, self-direction and intellectual independence