Online · Helms School of Government · Government

Comparative Politics
PSCI-600
FALL D 2020 Section D01 10/26/2020 to 12/18/2020 Modified 10/15/2020

 Course Description
This course provides comparative frameworks for alternative models of politics, government, international relations, and
statesmanship. Students will compare not only the American system of government and politics to other systems, but also examine
the key philosophical and theoretical influences of these various systems, particularly in light of a Biblical perspective on government,
politics, and statesmanship.

Requisites
Prerequisites

None

 Rationale
This course provides a study and foundation in comparative politics and the study of governing structures and models. As such, it
plays an important role in producing well-rounded pubic administration and public policy programs and prepares students with a
nuanced understanding of the forces that shape the governing and public policy process.

 Measurable Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:

1. Evaluate the impacts of key philosophical and theoretical influences on various models of government.
2. Compare various models of government.
3. Apply knowledge of the literature to the study of comparative politics.
4. Synthesize a Judeo-Christian worldview with aspects of comparative politics.

 Course Resources
Required Resource Purchases

Dickovick, Tyler J. and Eastwood, Jonathan. Comparative Politics: Integrating Theories, Methods, and Cases. 3rd. Ed., Oxford
University Press, 2019. ISBN: 9780190854867.

Dickovick, Tyler J. and Eastwood, Jonathan. Comparative Politics: Classic and Contemporary Readings 1st Ed., Oxford University
Press, 2017. ISBN: 9780199730957.

Martin, Glenn. Prevailing Worldviews of Western Society Since 1500. Triangle Publishing, Newton, MA, 2006. ISBN: 9781931283168.

Disclaimer: The above resources provide information consistent with the latest research regarding the subject area. Liberty University
does not necessarily endorse specific personal, religious, philosophical, or political positions found in these resources.

Recommended Resource

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 Turabian, Kate L. A Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses, and Dissertations . Current ed. Chicago: The University of Chicago
Press.

Additional Materials for Learning

A. Computer with basic audio/video output equipment

B. Internet access (broadband recommended)
C. Blackboard recommended browsers (https://help.blackboard.com/Learn/Student/Getting_Started/Browser_Support)
D. Microsoft Word
E. USB headset with microphone (This is a recommended resource. The student does not need to purchase this should he or
she already have recording capabilities.)

 Course Assignments

Textbook readings and lecture presentations

Course Requirements Checklist
After reading the Course Syllabus and Student Expectations (http://www.liberty.edu/index.cfm?PID=18202&printpage=y), the
student will complete the related checklist found in Module/Week 1.

Discussion Board Forums (4)

Discussion boards are collaborative learning experiences. Therefore, the student is required to provide a thread in response to the
provided prompt for each forum. Each thread must be 400–500 words and demonstrate course-related knowledge. Each thread
must also include 1 unique, relevant scholarly reference and 1 scriptural reference. In addition to the thread, the student is
required to reply to 2 other classmates’ threads. Each reply must be 250–300 words. All sources must be cited in current Turabian
format.

Comparative Approach Research Paper

The student will write 5–7 pages for a research-based paper in current Turabian format that focuses on the comparative approach
employed in comparative politics. The paper must include at least 3 scholarly references in addition to the course textbooks,
assigned readings, and the Bible.

Comparative Process Research Paper or Presentation

The student will create a paper or presentation examining the comparative process. If the student chooses to submit a paper, it
must be 5–7 pages written in current Turabian format and must include at least 3 scholarly references in addition to the course
textbooks, assigned readings, and the Bible. If the student chooses to submit a presentation, he or she will create either a
PowerPoint presentation with audio or a creative video. The presentation must include 9–10 minutes of student-spoken audio
and incorporate at least 3 scholarly references in addition to the course textbooks, assigned readings, and the Bible.

Political Economy Research Paper

The student will write a 5–7-page research-based paper in current Turabian format that focuses on the topic of political economy.
The paper must include at least 3 scholarly references in addition to the course textbooks, assigned readings, and the Bible.

Final Research Paper or Presentation

The student will create a presentation or a paper that focuses on the comparative ideas and characteristics of constitutions. If the
student chooses to submit a paper, it must be 5–7 pages written in current Turabian format and must include at least 3 scholarly
references in addition to the course textbooks, assigned readings, and the Bible. If the student chooses to submit a presentation,
he or she will create either a PowerPoint presentation with audio or a creative video. The presentation must include 10–12
minutes of student-spoken audio and incorporate at least 3 scholarly references in addition to the course textbooks, assigned
readings, and the Bible.

Exam
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 The Exam will cover the assigned readings for the module/week in which it is assigned. The Exam will be open-book/open-notes
and contain 5 multiple-choice and 5 corresponding essay questions. Each essay answer question will require a well-reasoned
explanation of the analysis the student employed in reaching his or her multiple-choice answer. The exam will have a time limit of
1 hour and 30 minutes.

 Course Grading

Course Requirements Checklist 10

Discussion Board Forums (3 at 100 points each) 300

Comparative Approach Research Paper 150

Comparative Process Research Paper or Presentation 150

Political Economy Research Paper 150

Final Research Paper or Presentation 150

Exam 100

Total 1010

 Policies

Late Assignment Policy

Course Assignments, including discussion boards, exams, and other graded assignments, should be submitted on time.

If the student is unable to complete an assignment on time, then he or she must contact the instructor immediately by email.

Assignments that are submitted after the due date without prior approval from the instructor will receive the following deductions:

1. Late assignments submitted within one week after the due date will receive up to a 10% deduction.
2. Assignments submitted more than one week and less than 2 weeks late will receive up to a 20% deduction.
3. Assignments submitted two weeks late or after the final date of the course will not be accepted outside of special
circumstances (e.g. death in the family, significant personal health issues), which will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis by
the instructor.
4. Group projects, including group discussion board threads and/or replies, and assignments will not be accepted after the due
date outside of special circumstances (e.g. death in the family, significant personal health issues), which will be reviewed on
a case-by-case basis by the instructor.

Disability Assistance
Students with a disability and those with medical conditions associated with pregnancy may contact Liberty University’s Online
Office of Disability Accommodation Support (ODAS) at [email protected] for accommodations. Such accommodations
require appropriate documentation of your condition. For more information about ODAS and the accommodations process,
including how to request an accommodation, please visit https://www.liberty.edu/online/online-disability-accommodation-
support/ (https://www.liberty.edu/online/online-disability-accommodation-support/). Requests for accommodations not related
to disabilities or pregnancy must be directed to the Registrar’s Office, which generally handles medical needs support.

If you have a complaint related to disability discrimination or an accommodation that was not provided, you may contact ODAS or
the Office of Equity and Compliance by phone at (434) 592-4999 or by email at [email protected]. Click to see a
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 full copy of Liberty’s Discrimination, Harassment, and Sexual Misconduct Policy
(https://www.liberty.edu/media/1226/Liberty_University_Discrimination_Harassment_and_Sexual_Misconduct_Policy.pdf) or
the Student Disability Grievance Policy and Procedures
(http://www.liberty.edu/media/8021/Disability_Grievance_Procedures.pdf).

Course Attendance
In an effort to comply with U.S. Department of Education policies, attendance is measured by physical class attendance or any
submission of a required assignment within the enrollment dates of the course (such as examinations, written papers or projects,
any discussion board posts, etc.) or initiating any communication with one’s professor regarding an academic subject. More
information regarding the attendance policy (https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?
url=https%3A%2F%2Fptop.only.wip.la%3A443%2Fhttps%2Fwiki.os.liberty.edu%2Fdisplay%2FIE%2FOnline%2BAttendance%2Band%2BNon-
Attendance&data=02%7C01%7Caccollins2%40liberty.edu%7Cd91431fa6ac547056b5408d833029e1a%7Cbaf8218eb3024465a99
34a39c97251b2%7C0%7C0%7C637315433613719138&sdata=%2BNBTsPOoXuHAPLflSQRugK7cRSuV6UyC7qD3agf3l2k%3D&res
erved=0) can be found in the Academic Course Catalogs (https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?
url=https%3A%2F%2Fptop.only.wip.la%3A443%2Fhttps%2Fwww.liberty.edu%2Findex.cfm%3FPID%3D791&data=02%7C01%7Caccollins2%40liberty.edu%7Cd91431fa6
ac547056b5408d833029e1a%7Cbaf8218eb3024465a9934a39c97251b2%7C0%7C0%7C637315433613729132&sdata=DjjhMiRBh
nF%2B2ZJUC8eBd1OdNb26S9ADukODYsilXlA%3D&reserved=0). Regular attendance in online courses is expected throughout the
length of the term. Students who do not attend within the first week of a sub-term by submitting a required academic assignment
(such as the Course Requirements Checklist, an examination, written paper or project, discussion board post, or other academic
activity) will be dropped from the course. Students who wish to re-engage in the course are encouraged to contact Academic
Advising to discuss their enrollment options. Students who begin an online course, but at some point in the semester cease
attending, and do not provide official notification to withdraw, will be assigned a grade of “FN” (Failure for Non-Attendance
(https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?
url=https%3A%2F%2Fptop.only.wip.la%3A443%2Fhttps%2Fwiki.os.liberty.edu%2Fdisplay%2FIE%2FUnofficial%2BWithdrawals&data=02%7C01%7Caccollins2%40liberty
.edu%7Cd91431fa6ac547056b5408d833029e1a%7Cbaf8218eb3024465a9934a39c97251b2%7C0%7C0%7C63731543361372913
2&sdata=MoMvZdPfza69InuhVHMHAVgu59ZP0Fw45xJTu9PIBrU%3D&reserved=0)). Students wishing to withdraw from courses
after the official start date should familiarize themselves with the withdrawal policy.

Grading Scale
A A- B+ B B- C+ C C- D+ D D- F

940- 920- 900- 860- 840- 820- 780- 760- 740- 700- 680- 679
1010 939 919 899 859 839 819 779 759 739 699 and
below

For courses with a Pass/NP final grade, please refer to the Course Grading section of this syllabus for the assignment
requirements and/or point value required to earn a Passing final grade.

Add/Drop Policy
The full policy statement and procedures are published in the Policy Directory
(https://wiki.os.liberty.edu/display/IE/Dropping+and+Adding+Online+Classes).

Honor Code
Liberty University comprises a network of students, Alumni, faculty, staff and supporters that together form a Christian
community based upon the truth of the Bible. This truth defines our foundational principles, from our Doctrinal Statement to the
Code of Honor. These principles irrevocably align Liberty University’s operational procedures with the long tradition of university
culture, which remains distinctively Christian, designed to preserve and advance truth. Our desire is to create a safe, comfortable
environment within our community of learning, and we extend our academic and spiritual resources to all of our students with the
goal of fostering academic maturity, spiritual growth and character development.

Communities are predicated on shared values and goals. The Code of Honor, an expression of the values from which our
Doctrinal Statement was born, defines the fundamental principles by which our community exists. At the core of this code lie two
essential concepts: a belief in the significance of all individuals, and a reliance on the existence of objective truth.

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 While we acknowledge that some may disagree with various elements of the Code of Honor, we maintain the expectation that our
students will commit to respect and uphold the Code while enrolled at Liberty University.

Adherence to the principles and concepts established within facilitates the success of our students and strengthens the Liberty
community.

The Code of Honor can be viewed in its entirety at http://www.liberty.edu/index.cfm?PID=19155

(http://www.liberty.edu/index.cfm?PID=19155).

 Schedule
Course Schedule

PSCI 600

Textbooks:

Dickovick & Eastwood, Comparative Politics: Integrating Theories, Methods, and Cases 3rd Ed., (2019).

Dickovick & Eastwood, Comparative Politics: Classic and Contemporary Readings , (2017).

Martin, Prevailing Worldviews of Western Society Since 1500, (2006).

Module/
Week Reading & Study Assignments Points

1 Dickovick & Eastwood (2019) Course Requirements Checklist 10

Chap. 1
Class Introductions 0
Dickovick & Eastwood (2017)
Chap. 1 Comparative Approach Research Paper 150

Martin (2006): Chap. 1

2 Dickovick & Eastwood (2019) Comparative Process Research Paper or

Chap. 2 Presentation
150
Dickovick & Eastwood (2017)
Chap. 2

Martin (2006): Chap. 2

3 Dickovick & Eastwood (2019) DB Forum 1 100

Chap. 3

Dickovick & Eastwood (2017)

Chap. 3

Martin (2006): Chap. 3

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Module/
Week Reading & Study Assignments Points

4 Dickovick & Eastwood (2019) Political Economy Research Paper 150

Chap. 4

Dickovick & Eastwood (2017)

Chap. 4

Martin (2006): Chap. 9

1 presentation

2 websites

5 Dickovick & Eastwood (2019) DB Forum 2 100

Chap. 5

Dickovick & Eastwood (2017)

Chap. 5

1 presentation

6 Dickovick & Eastwood (2019) DB Forum 3 100

Chap. 6

Dickovick & Eastwood (2017)

Chap. 6

7 Dickovick & Eastwood (2019)

Chap. 7
Exam 100
Dickovick & Eastwood (2017)
Chap. 7

Martin (2006): Chap. 11

8 Dickovick & Eastwood (2019) Final Research Paper or Presentation 150

Chap. 8

Dickovick & Eastwood (2017)

Chap. 8

Total 1010

DB = Discussion Board

NOTE: Each course module/week begins on Monday morning at 12:00 a.m. (ET) and ends on Sunday night at 11:59 p.m. (ET). The
final module/week ends at 11:59 p.m. (ET) on Friday.

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