POSC 341

I. Course Title: European Politics (CG)

II. Course Number: POSC 341

III. Credit Hours: 3 credits 

IV. Prerequisites: None

V. Course Description: 

Political structures and functioning of selected European political systems. Emphasis on such major powers as the United Kingdom, France, and Germany and on the European Union and the prospects for political integration through the European Union.

Note(s): Cultural or Behavioral Analysis designated course.

VI. Detailed Description of Content of the Course:

The purpose of this course is to have students explore the political development and political institutions of selected Western European countries, and to develop an understanding of their political systems and the major political issues currently facing them. Topics include:

I. Introduction

    A. Why Study Comparative Politics?

    B. Why Study Western Europe?

    C. Comparative Politics: Scope & Methods

II. The Politics of Historical Stability: Britain & the Scandinavian Kingdoms.

A. Great Britain

1. Foundations

                a. History: Development of British Parliamentary Democracy

                b. British Education & Society

                c. The British Political Culture

                d. The British Class Structure

2. British Parliamentary Government

                a. Organization

                b. Functioning

                c. A Comparative Perspective

3. British Political Parties & Interest Groups

4. The Common Law and Jurisprudence

5. Prospects for British Politics

                a. Current Problems

1. Economic
2. Social
3. Welsh & Scottish Nationalism
4. Northern Ireland

                b. The Outlook

B. Scandinavia

1. Historical Background
2. Scandinavian Social Democracy

                a. Functioning & Organization

                b. Prospects

III. Politics In the French Fifth Republic

A. Foundations

1. History: Development of French Democracy
2. French Society
3. The French Political Culture
4. The French Class Structure

B. Institutions & Administration

1. The Structure of French Government
2. The French Bureaucracy
3. Jurisprudence

C. French Political Parties & Interest Groups

D. Prospects for French Politics

IV. Politics in the German Federal Republic

A. Foundations

1. History: German Autocracy in the Past
2. The Reunification of Germany
3. German Society
4. The German Class Structure

B. Institutions & Government

1. The Basic Law
2. German Federalism
3. German Government

C. The German Political Culture

1. Participation
2. Toward a "Democratic" Political Culture?

D. Prospects for Germany

V. Italy: The Politics of Instability

A. Political Institutions

B. Political Parties and Elections

C. Prospects

VI. The European Union

A. History & Developments

B. The European Union at present

1. The emerging economic union
2. Geographic expansion and the prospects for future enlargement
3. The current extent of political union
4. Prospects for political integration

VI. Detailed Description of Conduct of Course:

A lecture format will be combined with informal class discussions.

VII. Goals and Objectives of the Course:

1. Students describe behaviors, beliefs, cultures, social institutions, and/or environments. 
2. Students analyze the interactions of behaviors, beliefs, cultures, social institutions, and/or environments.
3. Students develop their abilities to find information, consume it critically, and apply it effectively.  
4. Students demonstrate the ability to express their ideas orally.

VIII. Assessment Measures:

Graded assignments may include tests, a final examination, quizzes, oral and/or written presentations/papers, simulations, and class participation.

 

Other Course Information: Readings from current newspapers, magazines. And websites may be assigned, in addition to the required text(s).

 

Review and Approval

Februrary 1999 Revised to reflect changes in course content M. J. Franck, Dept. Chair

March 31, 2016

March 01, 2021