Syllabus

PSC 340 “Politics in Western Europe”

Fall 2003

 

MWF 9-9:50am                                                                                                                             Munroe Eagles

 110 Baldy Hall                                                                                                                                            423 Park Hall

Office Hrs. – MW 2-4:30pm (or by appt.)                                                                                        645-2251 (x423)

                                                                                                                                                         eagles@buffalo.edu

The Course:

This course focuses on the comparative politics of Western Europe.  Although not particularly large in geographic terms, this continent is home to almost three dozen diverse political systems, as well as an emergent supra-national regime (the “European Union”). As such, for comparativists, the area approaches the status of a “laboratory” for the analysis of political regimes, practices, and cultures. Our readings and discussions this semester will focus primarily on four of the largest and most influential countries of Western Europe (the United Kingdom, France, Germany and Italy), but we will also consider the exciting developments surrounding the emergence of the European Union as an important political actor.  Should you already have an interest in another country(ies) in the region, you will be given an opportunity to explore this in the context of the research paper (discussed below).

 

NOTE:  Due to my commitments to participate in two conferences (American Political Science Association and the Association of Canadian Studies in the United States), there will be no classes on Friday, August 29th and Friday, November 21st.

 

Readings:

                There is one required text that is available for purchase from the University Bookstore.

                M. Donald Hancock, et al., Politics in Europe, 3rd edition, NY: Chatham House, 2003. pbk.

 

Requirements:

                This is a third-year course in comparative politics.  As such, students are expected to have a mature and serious approach to their studies.  This will involve regular attendance in class, and full participation in the discussion sessions that will be scheduled.

 

                Final grades will be assigned according to your performance on the following items:

                a)    First examination (Monday, October 20th -  in class) - (30%)

b)       Research paper (due Wednesday, November 12th - NO EXTENSIONS - Plan ahead!- (40%)

                c)     Second examination (Monday, December 8th – in class) - (30%)

 

Since there are only three opportunities to demonstrate your mastery of class materials, please prepare for each one thoroughly.

 

Readings/Topics:

Background:

 

1.  Introduction to the Politics of Western Europe - Themes and Issues

Reading:   Hancock, “Introduction,” pp. xiii-xvii

 

Four European States:  The UK, France, Italy & Germany

 

2.  The United Kingdom: Modernizing  the “Mother of Parliaments”

                Reading:   Hancock, Part 1 

 

3.  France:  A Hybrid Political System in Evolution

                Reading:   Hancock, Part 2

 

 

PSC 340/Syllabus  Page 2

 

4.  Germany:  Post-Unification Growing Pains

Reading:  Hancock, Part 3

 

5. Italy:  Instability and Institutional Reform in “A Difficult Democracy”

                Reading:  Hancock, Part 4

 

Emergent Supranationalism in the European Union

 

6.        The Emergent Eurostate?

                Reading:  Hancock, Part 7

                                   

Research Essay – Important Notes:

While this assignment will be discussed in more detail during a class meeting early in the semester, there are three specific requirements to note. 

 

1)      All papers must have a title that ends with a “?”. 

2)      Second, all papers must demonstrate research beyond the required reading. They should be fully documented by footnotes and bibliographic references. While internet sources are appropriate to include, they are NOT sufficient. All students should consult academic (scholarly) journals and books (see me if you have any doubt whatsoever about this requirement). Please see me in my office early in the semester if you’d like to discuss a topic, of if you’d like some suggestions. 

3)      All papers must be submitted in two formats, one a double-spaced paper copy AND an electronic version on floppy disk (or submitted as an email attachment to eagles@buffalo.edu). This is essential as I will submit any papers I suspect of being plagiarized, in whole or in part, for electronic scrutiny at a plagiarism-detection service.

 

 

Eurosim 2004

 

Each year since 1994, UB has participated in a simulation of decision-making in the European Union. The simulation involves students from universities all over New York state and elsewhere, together with students from every corner of Europe. Information on the simulation, and the inter-university trans-Atlantic consortium that sponsors it, are available at: http://www.fredonia.edu/department/polisci/nyceuss/

 

The simulation alternates between venues in the US and Europe. When in Europe, simulations have been held in Luxembourg, Brussels, and Prague. For the first time, this year’s simulation will be held in Tilburg, the Netherlands in early January, 2004. Students interested in being a part of the UB delegation should make your interest known to me as soon as possible. An organizational meeting will be held early in the semester to plan our preparation for this exciting activity.