PS 201 - Comparative Governments

Description
This course examines government and domestic politics as it exists in other states around the world. It uses states in Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas as case studies. Students examine political, cultural, economic, and historical reasons for similarities and differences between states. The United States is useful as a point of reference. In the process students discover alternative ways of dealing with familiar problems, and a greater understanding of the differences around our world.

Credit Hours: 3
Contact Hours: 3
Prerequisites/Other Requirements: None
English Prerequisite(s): None
Math Prerequisite(s): None
Course Corequisite(s): None
Academic Program Prerequisite: None
Consent to Enroll in Course: No Department Consent Required
Dual Enrollment Allowed?: Yes
Number of Times Course can be taken for credit: 1
Programs Where This Course is a Requirement:
Pre-Political Science, A.A. (General Transfer)

General Education Requirement:
Social Sciences
General Education Learner Outcomes (GELO):
3. Critical Thinking: Gather and synthesize relevant information, evaluate alternative perspectives, or understand inquiry as a means of creating knowledge, 6. Intellectual Curiosity: Seek and apply knowledge through discovery, experimentation, or research to advance academic, personal, and career growth, 1. Civic Engagement: Apply knowledge of social, political, or environmental conditions to demonstrate understanding of community responsibility
Course Learning Outcomes:

Identify the constitutional structures of various governments throughout the world including their respective executive, legislative, and judicial functions.
Identify a presidential system from a parliamentary system of government.
Define and identify the difference between a federal and unitary system of government.
Define the difference between a state and a nation, and a republic and a monarchy.
Understand the diversity of political parties in various states and the ideologies they embrace.
Compare and contrast the political issues of various states and the public policies employed to address them.
Promote intellectual curiosity toward various political cultures, citizen behaviors, and collective identities (GELO6).
Encourage and enhance civic engagement in on-going issues like political violence, climate change, liberal democracy, and globalization (GELO1).
Develop critical thinking skills to make sense of current turbulent times by learning to evaluate relevant information from different levels of analysis, probe causal relationship, and draw conclusions (GELO3).
Learn to apply theories and knowledge in identifying and even discoverying new ideas to advance and enrich academic, personal and career growth.

Course Outline:
I. Introduction to political terminology used for examining case studies of various states.

II. The states chosen for this purpose will vary for each semester. For each state examined, the following will be covered:

A. History - For India this might include a look at the origins of the Hindu faith, British rule, followed by independence.

B. Governmental Structure - This would include an examination of the executive, legislative, and judicial functions of government.

C. Party Politics - The dominant political parties on the Left and Right would be explored.

D. Political Culture - For South Africa, this would require discussing the various linguistic groups and their respective cultures such as: the English, Afrikaners, Zulus, and Xhosas.

E. Public Policy - In the case of Germany this might include a look at the unique way in which unions and management work together for the sake of employees in German companies.

III. Summarize the examined states while comparing and contrasting political patterns and governmental structures between them. The US would be a natural point of comparison in addition to the other countries examined.

Approved for Online and Hybrid Delivery?:
Yes
Instructional Strategies:
Lecture: 60-70%

Facilitated discussion: 20-30%

Mediated instruction: 0-10%

Group work: 0-10%

Mandatory Course Components:
None
Equivalent Courses:
None

Accepted GRCC Advanced Placement (AP) Exam Credit: Comparative Government & Politics
AP Min. Score: 3
Name of Industry Recognize Credentials: None

Course prepares students to seek the following external certification:
No
Course-Specific Placement Test: None
Course Aligned with ARW/IRW Pairing: IRW 99

Mandatory Department Assessment Measures:

Course Type:
General Education- Offering designed to meet the specific criteria for a GRCC Distribution Requirement. The course should be designated by the requirement it fulfills.
Course Format:
Lecture - 1:1
Total Lecture Hours Per Week: 3
People Soft Course ID Number: 101185
Course CIP Code: 45.10
Maximum Course Enrollment: 36
General Room Request: None

High School Articulation Agreements exist?: No
If yes, with which high schools?: None
Non-Credit GRCC Articulation Agreement With What Area: No
Identify the Non Credit Programs this Course is Accepted: NA

School: School of Liberal Arts
Department: Social Sciences
Discipline: PS
Faculty Credential Requirements:
18 graduate credit hours in discipline being taught (HLC Requirement), Master’s Degree (GRCC general requirement)
Faculty Credential Requirement Details:
None

Major Course Revisions: General Education Review
Last Revision Date Effective: 20220216T13:33:50
Course Review & Revision Year: 2026-2027