Basic Information

Course Code:

POLS 255

Course Name:

Comparative Politics

Language of Instruction:

English

Course Type:

Class

Course Level:

Bachelor

ECTS:

6.00

Instructor:

Doç. Dr. Nermin AYDEMİR

Course Objectives

The aim of this course is to introduce students to the fundamental concepts, theories, and methods of comparative politics and to enable them to compare political institutions, processes, and regimes across different countries systematically. The course also aims to develop students’ ability to identify similarities and differences among political systems, evaluate the historical, social, and economic factors underlying these differences, and analyse political phenomena from a comparative perspective.

Course Content

The course begins with an examination of the scope and fundamental concepts of comparative politics and the comparative method. Its main topics include the state, political regimes, democracy and authoritarianism, constitutions, legislative, executive, and judicial institutions, electoral systems, political parties, political culture, political participation, and political economy. These concepts and institutions are examined comparatively through the cases of countries with different political and socioeconomic characteristics, including the United Kingdom, the United States, Germany, Japan, Brazil, Russia, India, China, Iran, and Nigeria.

Prerequisites / Corequisites

There is no pre-requisite for this course.

Course Books / Materials / Recommended Resources

Patrick H. O’Neil, Karl Fields ve Don Share, Cases in Comparative Politics, 5. Baskı, New York: W. W. Norton & Company.

Learning Outcomes

Code	Description
LO1	Explain the fundamental concepts, theories, and methods of comparative politics.
LO2	Identify the main characteristics of different political regimes and systems of government.
LO3	Explain the roles of legislative, executive, and judicial institutions, as well as constitutions, electoral systems, and party systems.
LO4	Compare the functioning of political institutions and processes across different countries.
LO5	Analyse similarities and differences among political systems in relation to historical, social, and economic factors.
LO6	Apply the theoretical and conceptual tools of comparative politics to contemporary political developments and specific country cases.

Weekly Course Content

Week	Content
1	Introduction
2	Why do we compare political systems?
3	Politics in the UK
4	Politics in the US
5	Politics in Germany
6	Politics in Japan
7	Politics in Russia
8	Mid-Term
9	Politics in China
10	Politics in India
11	Politics in Iran
12	Politics in Brasilia
13	Politics in Nigeria
14	Politics in South Africa
15	General Overview

Workload Calculation

Activity	Count	Duration (Hours)	Total
Attendance	13	2.00	26.00
Practice	13	1.00	13.00
Pre-Class Individual Study	13	2.00	26.00
Midterm Exam/Preparation	1	30.00	30.00
Final Exam/Preparation	1	30.00	30.00
Research Presentation	1	5.00	5.00
Other	1	50.00	50.00
Total Workload (Hours)			180
ECTS Credit (Workload / 25)			6

Assessment

#	Assessment Type	Contribution (%)
1	Midterm Exam	%30
2	Homework	%10
3	Homework	%20
4	Final Exam	%40
TOTAL		%100

PO - LO Matrix

PO \ LO	LO1	LO2	LO3	LO4	LO5	LO6
PO-1
PO-2
PO-3
PO-4
PO-5
PO-6
PO-7

1

Low Contribution

2

Medium Contribution

3

High Contribution

Teaching and Learning Methods

#	Method Name	Description	Tools
1	Lecture (expository teaching), interactive discussion	Listening and taking notes.	Standard classroom technologies, multimedia tools (projector, computer, digital presentations)
2	Controversial Course	Listening and comprehension, critical thinking	Standard classroom technologies, multimedia tools, projector, computer, overhead projector
3	Guest Speaker	Listening and comprehension, observation/processing situations	Standard classroom technologies, multimedia tools, projector, computer, overhead projector, special equipment

Academic Integrity and Artificial Intelligence

Students are expected to comply with the principles of academic integrity in all course-related work. Plagiarism, cheating, unauthorized collaboration, fabrication of information or sources, and presenting another person’s work as one’s own are strictly prohibited. Artificial intelligence tools may be used only in accordance with the guidelines established by the course instructor. Any use of such tools must be clearly disclosed, and students are responsible for verifying the accuracy of all AI-generated information and sources. Presenting AI-generated content as a student’s original work constitutes a violation of academic integrity.