COURSE SYLLABUS

LIBERAL ARTS DEPARTMENT

A globally competitive institution, faithful to the teachings and tradition of the Catholic Church working
VISION towards the development of the person following the examples of St. Arnold Janssen and St. Joseph
Freinademetz.
To develop and enhance the capabilities of the person to become responsive to the demands of the
MISSION
society with respect for cultural preservation.
 To intensify quality education, that produces globally competitive professionals who will become
catalysts of change.
 To promote the preservation of cultural diversity and heritage.
 To develop versatile individuals in the areas of instruction, research and community extension
GOALS
services.
 To promote morally upright individuals who respond and adopt to the fast changing demands of
society, guided by Catholic values, inspired by the example of Sts. Arnold Janssen and Joseph
Freinademetz.
CORE
Integrity, Social Responsibility, Excellence, Evangelization
VALUES
Course Title INTRODUCTION TO COMPARATIVE POLITICAL SYSTEMS
Course
POL SC
Code
School Year
and 2016 – 2017: 2nd SEM
Semester
Don Zian P. Encarnacion
Faculty Instructor, Political Science
E-mail: donzian@yahoo.com
Course Pre-
Pol Sci 1
Requisites
This course familiarizes students with the field of comparative politics, its key concepts and major
Course theoretical approaches. The bulk of the course is a broad introduction to the major types of political
Description systems in the modern world, including advanced industrial democracies of the “West”, transitional
systems of Communist and post-Communist countries, and economically less developed nations.
1. To introduce the main theories and concepts on political systems existing in the discipline to
students and to provide relevant methodology for studying political realm as a system.
2. To expand students’ empirical knowledge of modern political systems through comparison of
Course
similarities and differences of political systems in selected countries.
Objectives
3. To compare and contrast political institutions and processes across countries and to derive
generalizations.
4. To analyze and interpret basic data relevant to comparative government and politics.
 Describe and compare main theories and concepts related to political systems
 Identify main strengths and shortcomings of those theories and concepts
Course  Define main approaches in typology of political systems and classify existing political
Learning systems
Outcomes  Discuss and compare specific political systems of selected countries
 Apply system approach in analyzing current political processes at the national level
 Explain critical factors defining the dynamics of political systems
Session Course Topic/Content Instructional Assessment
Number (by Learning Delivery/Strategies/
week) Outcomes Activities

What is comparative Write a Critique Paper

Identify and politics? What do we Research on this reading: on the reading given to
introduce to the compare? Why do we do be evaluated using a
students to the it? How do we do it? Samuel Huntington’s set of rubrics.
concept of (Issues in Comparative Clash of Civilization
Week 1- 2 politics and its Politics)
system in
general

1. What is the
essence of a 1. Academic
political system? Presentations will be
1. Academic based on a uniform
(The Comparative Presentations on political
Take note of format to be evaluated
the evolution Method) systems as using certain criteria
and significant conceptualized by
Week 3 developments 2. What are the Almond, Deutsch, Parsons 2. Cases for case study
of political structure and and Easton will be provided by the
systems functions of instructor and will be
2. Case study
political systems? evaluated using a set of
(The Comparative rubric
Method

Week 4-5 1. What explains the

proliferation of
states around the
world?
1. Academic
(Foundations of Presentations on the 1. Academic
Comparative concepts of nation and Presentations will be
Politics) states based on a uniform
Define the format to be evaluated
concepts 2. What conditions using certain criteria
appertaining to facilitate state‐
states and 2. Research on this
building and
nations reading: 2. Write a Critique
nation‐building? Paper on the reading
(Foundations of Joel Migdal’s Strong given to be evaluated
Comparative Societies, Weak States using a set of rubrics.
Politics

Week 5-6 1. Is there a 1. Academic

universal Presentations on
meaning to the Democracy, 1. Academic
 concept of
dentify the democracy or are
legal understandings Presentations will be
foundations based on a uniform
relativistic?
and bases of format to be evaluated
local (Foundations of
using certain criteria
governance. Comparative Democratization and
Politics) Democratic Theory and
Practice
2. Write a Critique
2. What are the pros Paper on the nature of
and cons of democracy based on
dichotomous or the lectures and
2. Lecture and Discussion
discussions made to be
continuous
evaluated using a set of
regime rubrics
classifications?
(Foundations of
Comparative
Politics)

1. Academic
Identify the Presentations on
idea of how the variety of
concept of What is meant by the
autocracy 1. Academic
autocracy was concepts of ‘electoral
Presentations will be
developed and democracy’, ‘electoral
2. Research on the based on a uniform
how it had autocracy’, ‘competitive
following format to be evaluated
evolved authoritarianism’, and
readings: using certain criteria
Week 6-7 ‘illiberal democracy’?
Which concept is most
useful and valid for “End of the
Transition 2. Write a Critique
comparative purposes?
Paradigm Paper on the readings
How would you propose to
given to be evaluated
measure each?
“Thinking About using a set of rubrics.
(Foundations of
Comparative Politics) Hybrid Regimes”
Identify the
1. Academic
basics on 1. Academic
Presentations on
democratic Is there a single best set of Presentations will be
Democratic
institutions democratic institutions? Do based on a uniform
Institutions
we know enough about the format to be evaluated
impact of political using certain criteria
2. Research on the
Week 7-8 institutions to engage in
following
successful ‘constitutional
readings:
engineering’? (Foundation 2. Write a Critique
s of Comparative Politics) Paper on the readings
“Constitutionalis
given to be evaluated
m and
using a set of rubrics
reconstruction”
1. Academic 1. Academic
Presentations on elections Presentations will be
and the electoral process based on a uniform
format to be evaluated
using certain criteria
 Define and 2. Development and
differentiate the submission of matrix
electoral summarizing the 2. Matrix to be
powers held by
What are the major requirements for an evaluated using a set of
the different
distinctions between electoral process. rubrics.
political
systems plurality first‐past the‐post,
the alternative vote, the
single transferable vote,
combined/ mixed, and
Week 9-10 party list electoral 3. Preparation of a mock
systems? (Foundations of election
Comparative Politics) 3. Mock election to be
evaluated using a set of
rubrics.

1. Academic
Presentations on 1. Academic
Federalism and Presentations will be
Decentralization based on a uniform
format to be evaluated
Identify the using certain criteria.
concepts of
federalism and Does decentralization
2. Conduct case study on
decentralizatio strengthen or weaken the proposed shift of
n good 2. Presentation and
Week 11-13 government from
governance? (Foundations presidential to federal discussion of results of
of Comparative Politics) case study

3. Formulation and 3. Defense and

presentation of the
administration of survey
results of survey
questionnaires regarding
the shift of governance.

Week 14-16 1. Academic

Introduce the Presentations on Social
concept of capital and democracy: An 1. Academic
political parties, 1. Have mass interdependent Presentations will be
social partisan loyalties relationship.’ based on a uniform
movements eroded in format to be evaluated
and advocacy using certain criteria
established and
groups 2. Research on this
newer reading:
democracies? 2. Write a Critique
(Foundations of Political Parties: Old Paper on the given
Comparative Concepts and New reading to be evaluated
Politics) Challenges using a set of rubrics
 2. Does social trust
matter for 3. Conduct an evaluation
democratic of the performance of a
governance? selected political party
(Foundations of during the last election 3. Discussion of the
Comparative using a given Summary, Findings and
Politics) questionnaire Conclusions drawn from
the result of the
evaluation

1. How far can and

1. Academic
do countries learn
Presentations on
about public
Learning From 1. Academic
policy options
Comparative Presentations
from each other?
Public Policy: A will be based
(Foundations of
Practical Guide on a uniform
Comparative
format to be
Politics)
2. Conduct an evaluated
evaluation of the using certain
2. Do democracies
performance of criteria
Week 17-18 outperform
selected policies
autocracies in
being 2. Discussion of
terms of social
implemented by the Summary,
equality, human
the local Findings and
development, and
government in Conclusions
the delivery of
the last five yeras drawn from the
welfare services?
using a given result of the
(Foundations of
questionnaire evaluation
Comparative
Politics)

Course References:
Carmani, Daniele. Comparative Politics. Oxford: Oxford University Press. (2008)

Kenneth Newton and Jan W. van Deth. Foundations of Comparative Politics. Cambridge University Press. (2010)

Karl Fields, Patrick O’Neil and Don Sher. Cases in Comparative Politics. New York. (2006)
Additional Supplementary Materials: Students can use other resources with higher priority on printed materials and
published books and researches. Online resources may be used extensively.
Course Requirements: None
Course Policies:
1. Students are allowed 11 absences for MWF classes and 7 for TTh classes inclusive of
tardiness. Excessive absences shall result to a grade of FA (Failure due to absences).
2. Cellular or mobile phones are not allowed during class hours. They should be in silent mode.
3. Honesty is the rule during examination. Cheating is not allowed at all times. It will merit a grade
of zero (0).
4. Any complaints regarding teaching, grades, etc. against the teacher or classmates related to
the course should be properly addressed to the professor.
Students are expected to observe the Institution’s Academic Policies and Code of Conduct and Discipline. In
addition, the following guidelines shall be observed:
For Critique Papers: Students must always submit on time and must avoid plagiarism. Format to be provided
should be strictly followed. There will be 10 critical thinking writing exercises. These assignments will be three pages
in length. They will be done in Microsoft Word with a Font size 12 and double spaced. Students will turn in a hard
copy of the critique papers on the day the critique papers are due, and must also submit an electronic copy to the
donzian@yahoo.com or receive a 0 on the activity for failing to do so.

Your essays also must demonstrate reading beyond what is required for class assignments and must reflect
knowledge of current political events. Late papers will lose points.

For Forum:
The forum  is a meeting, or medium where ideas and views on a particular issue can be
exchanged.
The class will work as a group and will be selecting a rural community of their choice.

General Guidelines
1. Students shall form among themselves a body to organize the said forum with designation of roles to be
determined within the group.
2. The group shall evaluate beforehand, the community according to their community profile.
3. A survey questionnaire shall be formulated and administered to the community with atleast 20 respondents
which shall assess the basic human needs of the community and how their local government is, and should
be responding to it.
4. Conduct the forum regarding the concept of rural development and the role of the local government through
a decentralized system in rural development.

For Symposium on Current Local Issues: At the end of the semester, a symposium will be held as a final culminating
activity.

General Guidelines
1. The class will make efforts in inviting local government officials as the guests.
2. Five current issues will be selected by the organizing class wherein the guests will be giving their
perspective and interpretation of the topic in a given span of time.
3. A moderator and timer will be assigned from the class to monitor the symposium.
The class will organize other details related to the symposium.
Grading System
Class Standing:
Prelim 12.5 %
Midterm 25% a. Recitation 25%
Pre-Final 12.5% b. Quizzes 25%
Final 25% c. Project 25%
Class Standing 25% d. Behavior 25%
100% 100%

Consultation Period MWF 9:00-10:00 MW 4:00-5:00 TTH 5:00-6:30 (AB Faculty)

ASSESSMENT
COURSE PERFORMANCE EVIDENCES OF
PERFORMANCE STANDARD
OUTCOMES INDICATORS PERFORMANCE
Demonstrate a Write scholarly and Following a set of rubrics, 75% compliance on all the
familiarity with analytical critique students are expected to performance indicators
relevant concepts in papers; organize a accomplish and/or
comparative politics. forum; organize the present the following:
symposium on current Critique Papers;
 Evaluate the
strengths and
weaknesses of the
ways of comparing local issues; share academic presentations
political systems personal reflections on topics assigned;
on topics discussed; Matrices; Mock Petition,
accomplish surveys records of personal
Use public speaking
and interpret them; sharing (lectures,
and writing as a present and create discussions and debates);
means of self- matrix and informative Survey Questionnaires,
expression, critical materials pass all Interpretation of surveys;
inquiry, creative examinations Case Study; Forum;
expression, (formative and Symposium on Current
argumentation, summative) Local Issues;
communication, and
exploration.

Prepared by:

Mr. Don Zian Encarnacion

Noted by:

Mr. Richard Victor P. Saturay

Mr. Dennis S. Alcaraz

Approved by:

DR. ALELI C. DUGAN, CPA

Vice President for Academic Affairs