Introduction to Comparative Politics (250-DL-20)

Instructors

Daniel Encinas Zevallos
Daniel Encinas is a political scientist with a master's degree and a PhD candidacy from Northwestern University, where he also serves as a lecturer and a member of the data science team. In addition to his academic work, he has contributed to major outlets including the New York Times, El Pais (Spain), Letras Libres (Mexico and Spain), and El Comercio (Peru). Currently, he is a columnist for La República (Peru) and coordinates the Puente project, which focuses on academic outreach through social media.

Meeting Info

Online: TBA

Overview of class

This course focuses on providing the key analytical tools to understand the domestic politics of countries around the world. We will explore how similar or different the political systems around Latin America, Africa, Asia, Western Europe, and other regions are. The course will address big questions such as: why some countries exhibit stronger states than others; why are some countries are economically successful, while others have failed; why democracy originated in Western Europe, and expanded around the world; what drives democratization in some countries and authoritarian stability in others; the functions of strong political parties and the consequences of their weaknesses for democracy; and what the rest of the world can teach us about the future of the U.S. Overall, students will acquire a good foundation in concepts, theories, and methodological approaches in the social sciences. This will enable better understanding of the political world and how it shapes your motivations, opportunities, and challenges.

This course is conducted completely online. A technology fee will be added to tuition.

Foundational disciplines / distribution: social sciences. Meets requirement for course that applies perspectives on power, justice, and equity with a global focus.

Registration Requirements

This course is limited to School of Professional Studies students only. Undergraduate students in other schools at Northwestern are not permitted to enroll in this course.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

Differentiate an academic approach to politics from a more emotional, day-to-day, and citizen-like approach to politics.
Distinguish between the description and explanation of political events (or processes).
Critically evaluate the theoretical approach behind the explanations authors provide to major political events (or processes) such as democratization, state building, revolutions, etc. These theoretical approaches include Marxism, modernization theory, culturalism, and agency-based approaches.
Critically evaluate the quality of the evidence that authors provide to support their explanation of major political events (or processes).
Design an academic project that integrates concepts, theories, and methodological skills to answer a major question in the field of Comparative Politics in a region of the world other than North America and, particularly, the U.S.

Class Materials (Required)

There are no materials required for purchase; all required and optional readings and resources will be accessed through Canvas and the Northwestern Library.

Class Attributes

Asynchronous:Remote class-no scheduled mtg time