CPO 2002 - Comparative Government

College of Social and Behavioral Sciences

Credit(s): 3
Contact Hours: 47
Effective Term Summer 2021 (590)

Requisites

Prerequisite POS 2041

Course Description

This course is a comparative study of selected countries and political systems. The course will examine forms of government, institutions, political culture, policy-making processes and contemporary problems.Study Abroad opportunities may apply to this course (https://blog.spcollege.edu/international/study-abroad/)).

Course Topics

Topic 1
  Study Abroad- Ireland

Learning Outcomes and Objectives

  1. The student will demonstrate an understanding of the political institutions of selected counties by:
    1. describing the process used in selection of a head of government under the parliamentary, presidential, and authoritarian concepts of government.
    2. explaining the differences between the positions and functions of a head of government and a head of state.
    3. explaining the structure and function(s) of the legislative body.
    4. explaining the structure and function(s) of the judiciary.
  2. The student will develop an understanding of the organization and functioning of the unitary and federal systems of government by:
    1. examining the basic reasons for the establishment of a unitary system vs. a federal system.
    2. outlining the structure and describing the areas of responsibility in the unitary and federal systems.
    3. summarizing the relationship between the electorate and government in the unitary and federal systems.
  3. The student will understand the policymaking and implementation processes of selected countries by:
    1. describing the political role of the electorate.
    2. summarizing the role of political parties.
    3. examining the role of external forces on policymaking.
    4. explaining the role of the head of government and the legislative body in the policymaking and implementation process.
  4. The student will describe the major contemporary problem areas in the selected countries and government's response to those problems by:
    1. identifying and explaining the causes of internal problems in each of the selected countries.
    2. summarizing the international commitments and relationships of the selected countries.
    3. summarizing the viable options for the solution of contemporary problems of the selected countries.
  5. The student will demonstrate an understanding of the political culture and ideologies of selected countries by summarizing the attitudes, beliefs and role of government held by citizens.

Criteria Performance Standard

Upon successful completion of the course the student will, with a minimum of 70 percent accuracy, demonstrate mastery of each of the above stated objectives through classroom measures developed by individual course instructors.

History of Changes

Revised 8/84, DBT 11/15/84 Effective Session 19842. Revised 3/6/91. 3YR C&I Review 1992-93. Effective Session 19991. 3 Year Review 2002. Online 20032. 3-Year Review 2009 C&I Approval: 08/01/1984, BOT Approval: 11/15/1984, Effective Term: Fall 2009 (415).
C&I Approval: , BOT Approval: , Effective Term: Summer 2021 (590)