Course Information
SemesterCourse Unit CodeCourse Unit TitleT+P+LCreditNumber of ECTS CreditsLast Updated Date
1POLS 511Comparative Politics3+0+03804.11.2025

 
Course Details
Language of Instruction English
Level of Course Unit Master's Degree
Department / Program MA Program in Political Science and International Relations (Thesis) (English)
Type of Program Formal Education
Type of Course Unit Elective
Course Delivery Method Face To Face
Objectives of the Course • Explore the field Comparative Politics through the study of field’s key themes, important theorists, main discussions and controversies. (1.2. )
• Examine different and contrasting approaches to Comparative Politics and Comparative Method. (2.2)
• Apply basic intellectual skills such as critical thinking and writing, comparative analysis, developing practical problem solving frameworks about different political puzzles (3.1.2)
Course Content This course is about one of the main sub-disciplines of Political Science: Comparative Politics. The field of Comparative Politics deals with political institutions, processes, and actors by utilizing the “comparative method.” It primarily takes the domestic politics of countries into account. Some of the themes that will be covered in this course will be regime types, party systems, social mobilization, and ethnic conflict. Some of the pressing puzzles of political life will be analyzed such as: Why are there ethnic conflicts in some countries and not others? Why do some countries achieve economic development and not others? Why do some countries experience peaceful transitions to democracy while others fail?
Course Methods and Techniques
Prerequisites and co-requisities None
Course Coordinator Associate Prof.Dr. Ali ASLAN
Name of Lecturers Associate Prof.Dr. ALİ ASLAN
Assistants None
Work Placement(s) No

Recommended or Required Reading
Resources Lijphart, Arend. Patterns of Democracy: Government Forms and Performance in Thirty-Six Countries. Yale University Press, 2012 (2nd Edition).
Course Notes Why are there ethnic conflicts in some countries and not others? Why do some countries achieve economic development and not others? Why do some countries experience peaceful transitions to democracy while others fail?
Documents Textbook: Patrick O'Neil Essentials of Comparative Politics
Assignments Qıuiz or Homework
Exams 1 Midterm 1 Final Paper

Course Category
Social Sciences %100

Planned Learning Activities and Teaching Methods
Activities are given in detail in the section of "Assessment Methods and Criteria" and "Workload Calculation"

Assessment Methods and Criteria
In-Term Studies Quantity Percentage
Mid-terms 1 % 30
Quizzes 5 % 30
Assignment 1 % 30
Attendance 1 % 10
Total
8
% 100

 
ECTS Allocated Based on Student Workload
Activities Quantity Duration Total Work Load
Course Duration 3 14 42
Hours for off-the-c.r.stud 6 14 84
Assignments 1 30 30
Mid-terms 5 15 75
Total Work Load   Number of ECTS Credits 8 231

 
Course Learning Outcomes: Upon the successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
NoLearning Outcomes
1 Compare and contrast main theories and currents of thinking in the field of Comparative Politics
2 Assess the complex dynamics of contemporary political processes in different contexts
3 Identify the origins and evolutions of alternative regime types and levels of economic development

 
Weekly Detailed Course Contents
WeekTopicsStudy MaterialsMaterials
1 Introduction What is Comparative Politics O’Neil, Ch 1 O’Neil, Ch 1
2 The State Origin and Function of State; Different Types of State O’Neil, Ch 2 O’Neil, Ch 2

 
Contribution of Learning Outcomes to Programme Outcomes
P1 P2 P3 P4 P5
All 5 4 4 5 4
C1 4 5 4 4 4
C2 4 4 4 4 4
C3 5 4 5 5 4

  Contribution: 1: Very Slight 2:Slight 3:Moderate 4:Significant 5:Very Significant

  
  https://obs.ihu.edu.tr/oibs/bologna/progCourseDetails.aspx?curCourse=247588&lang=en