Political Science (PSCI)
Revolution and Democratization
Mr. Christopher Pace
Office: 161 Wooten Hall
Office Hours:
Email:
I. Goals and Objectives of the Course:
The course is designed to introduce students to the literature on democratization. Students will come to understand the major theories of democratization and how countries become more democratic.
This course aims to promote analytical skills. This course will center around applying theory to actual cases. By doing this, students will be introduced to current problems facing policy makers and politics outside of the United States. This exercise will also allow students to become familiar with theories in the academic study of democratization and its relevance to current issues.
II. Required text:
Ishiyama, J. T. (2011). Comparative Politics: Principles of Democracy and
Democratization (Vol. 8). John Wiley & Sons.
III. University of North Texas--Policy on Cheating and Plagiarism:
The UNT Code of Student Conduct and Discipline defines cheating and plagiarism as the use of unauthorized books, notes, or otherwise securing help in a test; copying others' tests, assignments, reports, or term papers; representing the work of another as one's own; collaborating without authority with another student during an examination or in preparing academic work; or otherwise practicing scholastic dishonesty.
Normally, the minimum penalty for cheating or plagiarism is a grade of "F" in the course. In the case of graduate departmental exams, the minimum penalty shall be the failure of all fields of the exam. Determination of cheating or plagiarism shall be made by the instructor in the course, or by the field faculty in the case of department exams.
Cases of cheating or plagiarism on graduate departmental exams, theses, or dissertations shall automatically be referred to the departmental Graduate Studies Committee. Cases of cheating or plagiarism in ordinary course work may, at the discretion of the instructor, be referred to the Undergraduate Studies Committee in the case of undergraduate students, or the Graduate Studies
Committee in the case of graduate students. These committees, acting as agents of the Department Chair, shall impose further penalties, or recommend further penalties to the Dean of Students, if they determine that the case warrants it. In all cases, the Dean of Students shall be informed in writing of the case. Students may appeal a decision under this policy by following the procedures laid down in the UNT Code of Student Conduct and Discipline.
IV. University of North Texas-Statement of ADA Compliance:
The Political Science Department cooperates with the Office of Disability Accommodation to make reasonable accommodations for qualified students with disabilities. Please present your written accommodation request on or before the sixth class day (beginning of the second Day of classes).
V. Course Requirements:
a) Daily Reading Quizzes (15% of final grade) – Each lecture day students will be given a question at the beginning of class. Students are required to answer the question on sheet of paper and turn it in after the first five minutes of class. Late answers will not be accepted. This will serve as your participation grade.
b) Case Study (20% of final grade) – students will be required to five to seven page, double spaced, 12 TNR font, case study. Students will choose a country that is not presently a democracy and apply the major theories discussed in class to the country. How well do the theories explain why this country is not a democracy? How well do the theories explain the countries current situation? Finally, make a prediction. Will the country become or make significant moves toward democracy in the next 5 to 10 years? Why or why not?
· Rough Draft (10% of project grade)
· Paper (50% of project grade)
· Presentation (25% of project grade)
· Peer review (15% of project grade)
c) Movie quizzes (15% of final grade) - you are required to take a quiz at the end of each movie on days when movies are shown. Each quiz will be about 10 questions long and will be taken in the last 20 minutes of class. Students may use their own notes but may not collaborate with others.
d) Midterm exam (25% of final grade) – After the second week of classes, students will be given a 50 question multiple choice exam. Questions will be drawn from the reading and lecture.
e) Final exam (25% of final grade) – In the final week of classes, students will be given a 50 question multiple choice exam. Question will be drawn from the reading and the lecture. Questions are not cumulative; you will only be asked question from material given after the midterm.
VI. Schedule and required reading:
Week 1:
July 11th – Introduction and tips on research.
No required readings
July 12th – What is Democracy? How do we know it when we see it?
Ishiyama: p.27-30
July 13th – Long Historical Processes
Ishiyama: p. 30-64
July 14th – Modernization theory and its critics
Ishiyama: p. 67-86
Week 2:
July 18th – Political Culture and Civil Society
Ishiyama: p. 89-105 and p. 121-132
July 19th – Ethnic Politics
Ishiyama: p.105-112
July 20th – Autocratic Regimes
Geddes, Barbara. 1999. “What Do We Know About Democratization After Twenty
Years?” Annual Review of Political Science (2): 115-44.
July 21st – Review Day, come to class with questions on the material
Week 3:
July 25th – Midterm Exam, turn in progress on Case Study
July 26th – Political Economy and Selectorate Theory in Democratization
Acemoglu, Daron and James Robinson “A Theory of Political Transitions” American
Economic Review 91 (4) : 938-963
July 27th – Renteirism and the Resource Curse
Ross, Michael. 2001. “ Does Oil Hinder Democracy?” World Politics. 53, 325-61.
July 28th – Africa Movie, Colonial Legacy
Week 4:
August 1st – Diffusion, Waves of Democracy, and the Global Environment Democracy
Gleditsch, Kristian Skrede and Michael D. Ward. 2006. “Diffusion and the International
Context of Democratization” International Organization. 60 (4): 911-933
August 2nd – Democracy Promotion
Burnell, Peter. 2007 “ Does International Democracy Promotion Work?” Discussion
Paper at the German Development Institute.
August 3rd – Democratic Endurance
Chiebub, Jose Antonio, Adam Przeworski, Fernando Limongi, Michael Alvarez “What
Makes Democracy Endure?” Journal of Democracy 7 (Jan.): 39-55
August 4th – Movie on Arab Spring and the Third Wave
Week 5:
August 8th – Current Trends in Democratization and the future of democracy
No readings
August 9th – Present case studies, turn in case study
August 10th – Review
August 11th – Final Exam
Note: The syllabus may be changed due to unforeseen circumstances. Any changes will be up to the discretion of the instructor and the instructor will notify students as soon as possible.