ADM6178 READING IN COMPARATIVE POLITICS: AN OVERVIEW
| Course Code: | 3106178 |
| METU Credit (Theoretical-Laboratory hours/week): | 3 (2.00 - 2.00) |
| ECTS Credit: | 8.0 |
| Department: | Political Science and Public Adm. |
| Language of Instruction: | English |
| Level of Study: | Graduate |
| Course Coordinator: | |
| Offered Semester: | Fall or Spring Semesters. |
Course Objectives
The course aims at exposing students to a wide range of research questions that are approached from different theoretical perspectives and with different methodological tools. This way, students will not only learn the basic research themes in comparative politics but they will also understand what alternative methods and approaches are available for their own research. They will also be able to assess such approaches and methods critically. The readings and assignments of this seminar aim to endow students with conceptual, theoretical, and analytical tools and to enhance critical thinking skills that will help students achieve a well-rounded understanding of comparative politics. Students will have a chance to apply, bring into dialogue, synthesize and develop ideas, approaches and methods they will learn in the class in their assignments. They will further have an opportunity to broaden and deepen their knowledge on the literature, which will provide a good basis for comprehensive exam preparation as well as potential dissertation topics.
Course Content
This seminar is designed to introduce students to the major theoretical and conceptual debates in the sub-field of comparative politics. Each week we will discuss a set of literature dealing with various themes in comparative politics. The weekly readings are chosen to reflect the variety of topics and methodological approaches in comparative politics. The goal of the course is to allow students to become familiar with the major theoretical and methodological debates and to develop the skills necessary for comparing various theories and evaluating various explanations. Students, however, should remember that is not an all-inclusive syllabus and many important topics and debates are not covered in this seminar. It is the students` responsibility to familiarize him/herself with the major debates in the field.
Course Learning Outcomes
Program Outcomes Matrix
| Level of Contribution | |||||
| # | Program Outcomes | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| 1 | The ability to interpret and assess the ways in which power is generated and used socially, institutionally, economically and culturally at the local, national and international levels. | ✔ | |||
| 2 | The ability to conduct interdisciplinary studies and research when assessing the social phenomena in the field of Political Science and Public Administration. | ✔ | |||
| 3 | To attain a sound formation regarding the basic topics, like state-society relations, history of political thought, organisational theory, Turkish politics and comparative politics, in the field of Political Science and Public Administration. | ✔ | |||
| 4 | The ability to use the classical and new approaches in social sciences comprehensively and critically. | ✔ | |||
| 5 | To acquire the methodological knowledge and scientific skills which would enhance the capacity to conduct scientific research and produce publications including a M.S. thesis. | ✔ | |||
| 6 | The ability to evaluate the different dimensions of the problems in the policy areas which are studied through the use of different theoretical perspectives and to develop strategies on this basis. | ✔ | |||
| 7 | To uphold ethical principles in science, academy and life. | ✔ | |||
| 8 | To approach the issues by an independent, critical and inventive cognitive orientation, which could also support the professional career development. | ✔ | |||
0: No Contribution 1: Little Contribution 2: Partial Contribution 3: Full Contribution