2026/2027
Сравнительная политика
Статус:
Маго-лего
Где читается:
Санкт-Петербургская школа социальных наук
Когда читается:
1 модуль
Охват аудитории:
для своего кампуса
Преподаватели:
Семушкина Екатерина Сергеевна
Язык:
английский
Кредиты:
3
Контактные часы:
20
Course Syllabus
Abstract
The course offers a basic introduction to the core concepts in comparative politics and their empirical applications.
Learning Objectives
- The course is part of the major block of the Politics and Global Governance in Eurasia educational programme. It is offered within the Issues of the Eurasian Countries Development and International Politics of Eurasian Countries educational trajectories. The course aims to provide students with a basic understanding of the theoretical and methodological foundations of comparative politics and to develop their skills in the comparative analysis of the key elements of political systems, including political institutions, political regimes, and processes of their transformation. The course focuses on the main approaches and methods of comparative politics and their application to the analysis and explanation of political processes, as well as on developing basic skills in comparative research design.
Expected Learning Outcomes
- Conducts a comparative analysis of the key elements of political systems, including political institutions, political regimes, and processes of regime transformation, identifying interrelationships and causal relationships (UC-1)
- Develops a comparative political research design and interprets research findings using theoretical approaches and empirical evidence (PС-3)
- Assesses the development of key political institutions and processes based on theoretical approaches, concepts, and empirical methods of comparative politics (GPC-3)
Course Contents
- Intro to Comparative Politics
- Political Parties and Party Systems, Electoral Systems
- Institutional Design of Executive-Legislative Relations
- Political Regimes: Democracies and Non-Democracies
- Regime Change and Transitions
Assessment Elements
- In-class testsOn each seminar, there is a 10-minute written test which covers the material of this week’s topic, both the lecture and seminar. The tests may be conducted at the start of seminars. The tests may include multiple-choice or open-ended questions. If a seminar is missed without a valid reason, the grade for the respective test will be 0. If a seminar is missed for a valid reason, then the test will not be graded and will be excluded from the calculation of the final grade.
- In-class participationRecommendations for class participation ● Meaningful engagement with the mandatory readings demonstrated ● Own critical approach to the reading and lecture materials elucidated ● By bringing in concepts and empirical examples from other fields of study, the student demonstrates a complex understanding of the introduced concepts ● Contribution to the class dynamics: by reflecting on earlier points and comments, students can again demonstrate a practical understanding of the discussed concepts, as well as their abilities to understand the dynamics of ongoing discussions. Conversely, redundant and self-serving comments will lower the participation grade. ● In case someone finds participation in discussions challenging, there is also an opportunity to send questions and comments related to the mandatory readings before the respective class sessions.
- Position paperA final essay is focused on one of the topics included in the course syllabus. Recommendations for the position paper: The position paper shall be a problem-based, argumentative text demonstrating the student’s capacity to identify academically relevant problems, finding avenues to tackle it, and communicating their arguments in a persuasive, transparent, and succinct manner. The position paper should also demonstrate the student’s firm understanding on the differences between epistemic and methodological traditions. The position paper’s extent shall not exceed 1,5 - 2 pages (A4) of the handwritten text. The review part of the essay shall not exceed 40% of the position paper. The position paper is written in the classroom during the exam week. Essay structure: 1. Short and general formulation of answer, outline of structure 2. Review of relevant claims in the literature 3. Critical review of relevant positions. 4. Core of argument, supported by analytical and/or empirical claims. 5. Conclusion, summarizing the core points of the argument. The use of the artificial intelligence is strictly prohibited.
Interim Assessment
- 2026/2027 1st module0.3 * In-class tests + 0.5 * Position paper + 0.2 * In-class participation
Bibliography
Recommended Core Bibliography
- Geddes, B. (DE-588)171415787, (DE-576)132211866. (2003). Paradigms and sand castles : theory building and research design in comparative politics / Barbara Geddes. Ann Arbor, Mich.: University of Michigan Press. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edswao&AN=edswao.104638176
- Political science: an introduction, , 2017
Recommended Additional Bibliography
- Political research: methods and practical skills, Halperin, S., 2012