Seminar in Comparative
Politics: State-Society Relations
The
University of Memphis/Spring 2003
Wednesday,
Doug Imig, Ph.D.
427B Clement
Office Hours: Monday & Wednesday,
Office Phone: 678-3369
Office Fax: 678-2983
http://www.people.memphis.edu/~dimig/
This course will investigate the evolving relations
between citizens and nation-states in the context of developing supranational
political institutions and international regimes. We will consider the ways in
which groups of social actors in a range of societies
are seeking voice in the evolving world of national and transnational politics.
The investigation will be structured around three hypotheses:
·
First, the
processes of globalization are shifting the political targets of citizens from
national to transnational political systems.
·
Second, supranational
institutions largely remain beyond the reach of national democratic politics.
·
Third,
citizens increasingly are likely to respond to the issues posed by
transnational politics, but they will continue to do so within the traditional
pathways of domestic politics; and increasingly will evaluate national
governments in terms of their capacity to influence international political
processes.
Objectives
for the Course
1.
To introduce
a wide range of current perspectives on the changing political role of citizens
in a globalizing world.
2.
To build a
fund of knowledge on the relationship between citizen participation and stable
democratic institutions.
3.
To discuss
the evolution of contemporary governance structures in comparative perspective,
and their implications for political power.
4.
To develop
appropriate research questions and methods for advanced exploration of
political participation in contemporary world politics.
Requirements
for the Course
ü
This course
demands careful preparation and regular participation. A significant proportion of the course grade
will be based on participation and the quality of discussion.
ü
There will be
a final essay exam covering key concepts developed in the course. We will discuss possible exam questions
several weeks before the exam is scheduled.
ü
Each
participant will take responsibility for leading the discussion of one book. Work from the assumption that everyone has completed the readings and will need only a brief review. Structure the
discussion around key questions (e.g.: methodological issues, connections to
the field at large, or directions for further exploration). You should
structure your discussion leadership around either a hand-out, or a power-point
presentation.
ü
Finally, each
participant will write a research paper. The first two components of the paper
are a proposal and bibliographic essay, which will be due early in the
semester. The final draft of the paper will be due the last regular class
period. You may turn in preliminary paper drafts for my comments as many
times as you wish any time before March 27th. On the 27th
give a draft of the paper to each of your classmates. The following class
(April 3rd) will be structured as a research workshop, in which each
of you will briefly present your paper (in five minutes or so). You will then
be able to comment on each of the other papers in the seminar, and your combined
feedback will help to structure final revisions. We will discuss the specifics
of the paper, including research topics, at length in class. This is the
single largest component of your course grade: including the proposal,
bibliographic essay, and final draft, the paper is worth 50% of your grade for
the seminar.
ü
Papers should
be 20-25 pages typewritten, double spaced, and free of typographical
errors. Papers should be graduate
quality and should demonstrate a serious effort to grapple with the literature.
Use standard APA style (c.f.: the APSA
Style Manual).
Important
Notes:
This syllabus is a guide rather than a contract. As the
semester progresses we may devote more time to certain subjects than they are
allotted in the syllabus. Similarly,
there may also be additional articles and other assignments added because of
their relevance.
Plus/Minus Grading
Scale: This course will employ
the plus/minus grading scale.
Cheating and
Plagiarism: As outlined in the Student Handbook, “cheating” and “plagiarism”
will result in severe disciplinary action on the part of the instructor. Either offense will result in a zero
on the assignment or examination and possibly an “F” for the course.
Students with
disabilities: The University
encourages the full participation of students with disabilities. Students with disabilities are invited to
meet individually with the instructor to discuss special accommodations that
may be needed for successful participation in this course.
Inclement Weather: In the event that inclement weather requires the
cancellation of class at the
Grades for the
Course:
·
Seminar
Paper: 40%
·
Class
Discussion Leadership Exercise 25%
·
Active, informed
class participation: 15%
·
Research
Proposal 10%
·
Bibliographic
Essay: 10%
Discussion
Topics and Class Schedule
Week of: Assignment:
January 22 Introduction to the Course and Discussion
of Assignments
January 29 The process of creating a polity (Political
Marx, first half
Presenter: James
February 5 Marx, second half
February 12 Prospects
for Reform and Regime Change (Political
Yashar,
first half
Presenter: Amy
February 19 Yashar,
second half
* Paper
Proposals Due Feb. 19th.
February 26 Finding
Brysk, first half
Presenter: Carla
February 27 Brysk: second half
Ruud Koopmans and Paul Statham, “Challenging the Liberal
Nation-State?” in Challenging Immigration and Ethnic Relations Politics.
March 5 Domestic
Challengers and Supranational Politics
Imig and Tarrow, first half
Presenter: Alana
Gary
Marks and Doug McAdam, “Social Movements and the
Changing Structure of Political
March 12 Bibliographic
Essays Due March 12th.
March 19 Imig and Tarrow, second
half
March 26 Redefining Opportunities in the context of NGOs, IGOs,
SMOs, and TSMOs…
Keck & Sikkink: first half
Presenter: Heather
Research Roundtable on Status of Papers
April 2 Keck
& Sikkink, second half
April 9 A
Synthesis of Dimensions of Political
Tarrow, first half
Presenter: Doug
April 16th Tarrow,
second half
April 23 Jackie Smith, “Globalizing Resistance: The
Mobilization, (6) 2001.
Imig,
“Contestation in the Streets”
Trif
and Imig, “Demanding to be Heard”
April 30 Presentation of Papers, Review for Final
Exam
Final
Paper Drafts Due in class, April 30
May 7 Final Exam