Fall 2021  |  POL 1054 Section 001: Politics Around the World (19032)

Instructor(s)
Class Component:
Lecture
Credits:
3 Credits
Repeat Credit Limit:
4 Credits
Grading Basis:
Student Option
Instructor Consent:
No Special Consent Required
Instruction Mode:
In Person Term Based
Class Attributes:
UMNTC Liberal Education Requirement
Times and Locations:
Regular Academic Session
 
09/07/2021 - 12/15/2021
Mon, Wed 01:00PM - 02:15PM
UMTC, West Bank
Anderson Hall 350
Enrollment Status:
Open (84 of 85 seats filled)
Also Offered:
Course Catalog Description:
This course is an introduction to the study of politics in different countries around the world. It focuses on domestic politics within countries, as opposed to a course in international relations, which focuses on relations between countries. Some of the questions we tackle include: Why are some countries prone to violent conflict while others remain peaceful? Why do some countries grow rich while others remain poor? Why does democracy emerge in some countries, while dictators hold onto power elsewhere? How do attitudes about gender and sexuality influence politics? Do particular religions, or the strength of religious faith, strengthen or weaken democracy? The readings and assignments help you make sense of the complexity of world politics - to sift through and distill the avalanche of information available and learn how to develop your own arguments about pertinent global issues. Upon completion of this course you will be able to understand and provide examples of 1) the difference between strong and weak states; 2) the distinctions between democratic and non-democratic forms of government; 3) the various ways democracies are governed; 4) arguments explaining the origin of democracy and the persistence of non-democracy; 5) the significance of different forms of political identity such as ethnicity, religion, and gender; 6) why some countries are rich while others remain poor; and 7) why some countries tax and spend more than others. Assignments seek to develop your skills at developing arguments through logic and evidence and to give you the ability to distinguish between a persuasive argument about politics and simply stating an opinion.
Class Notes:
http://classinfo.umn.edu/?dsamuels+POL1054+Fall2021
Class Description:
This course provides an introduction to the study of politics in different countries around the world. We seek to understand how people establish a durable and legitimate political system, and how they seek to benefit from, transform or even overthrow that system. Over the course of the semester we will explore the following questions: 1) How and why do societies establish political order? 2) What is democracy and how is it different from dictatorship? 3) What factors cause democracy to emerge? 4) What are the different kinds of dictatorships? 5) When, where and why does ethnicity impact politics? 6) What is nationalism? 7) How does religion drive conflict in the contemporary world? 8) What is the impact of women in politics around the world? 9) What causes civil wars? 10) Why are some countries rich and some poor? 11) Why do some countries tax and spend quite a lot, while others have lower tax rates and lower levels of redistribution?
Who Should Take This Class?:
Anyone interested in global politics
Exam Format:
30% Reports/Papers
50% Written Homework
20% Class Participation Other Grading Information: There is one five-page paper, and up to 10 short assignments. A draft of the 5-page paper is required; students will receive feedback before turning in the final version.
Class Format:
60% Lecture
25% Discussion
15% Small Group Activities
Workload:
100 Pages Reading Per Week
15 Pages Writing Per Term
1 Paper(s)
10 Homework Assignment(s)
Textbooks:
https://bookstores.umn.edu/course-lookup/19032/1219
Instructor Supplied Information Last Updated:
27 March 2017

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