December 12, 2013
AMERICAN UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL ASIA
EUROPEAN STUDIES DEPARTMENT
Spring 2013
ES 102 – European Government Systems
Course ID: 2365
Course Schedule: Mon. 09.25-10.40 & Wed. 09.25-10.40
Assistant Professor Görkem Atsungur
Office: #317 – European Studies Department.
Office Hours: Monday: 14.00-16.00
E-mail: atsungur_g@auca.kg
I. COURSE DESCRIPTION
* Required European Studies Departmental / GenEd Course
Number of Credits: 3cr.
Course Description:
This course is designed to introduce students to major ideas underpinning the comparative analysis of governmental systems in Europe. The readings of the course are pre-dominantly thematic discussions. There are three major sections to the course (1) An introduction to basic concepts in Political Science; (2) Thematic Discussions such as the executive, legislative, constitutions, political parties, elections, etc… and (3) The European Union level. At this course, students are expected to develop a familiarity with the politics of European countries, to understand important topics in the comparative study of politics, and be able to analyse some of the political developments in different European countries and the EU at the supranational level.
Course Aim and Objectives:
In this course, students will engage in a broader comparison of government in different types of political regimes in the European continent.
By the end of this class, students should be able to:
1. To introduce students to the field of comparative European politics, and to some of its conceptual and explanatory tools;
2. To demonstrate the ability to locate and gather information in comparative European politics;
3. To acquaint students with some basic methodological problems, concepts, theories, issues in the study of European governmental systems.
4. To develop the ability and knowledge for comparing different forms of European governmental systems.
5. To apply the analytic skills to explain political phenomena in a given country or countries.
6. To describe and explain the basic characteristics of and difference between unitary and federal states in Europe (levels of governance); parliamentary and presidential systems (the executive); unicameral and bicameral parliaments in Europe (the legislative); majoritarian and consensus governments; political parties and party systems; elections and electoral systems; constitutions and judicial reviews and common law-civil law systems in Europe.
7. To explain also unelected components of government such as bureaucracy, military, interest groups.
8. To be familiar with the European Union Institutions and their functions.
9. To analyse and criticise current challenges in European Politics.
II. COURSE RULES & POLICIES
A. Teaching Methods:
The course objectives will be achieved through instructional model such as lecturing and also experiential (concept formation, independent research and etc...) and co-operative (role play, simulation and etc...) methods. Professor would also use PowerPoint presentations for the lecture part.
B. Reading Materials:
Instructor prepares required materials for students. Necessary course materials, including the course Syllabus, can be found on the course website in the e-course in European Studies/ spring 2013.
Reading materials are available as an ‘’ES 102 Course Booklet’’ at the ES Department office at #317. Students should also check e-course materials so often.
Each student has to read required readings which are indicated for each section before the class and students should come ready to present, argue and discuss them. All reading materials, including term paper and presentation are the main responsibility of the student in order to pass this course.
C. Special Needs:
Students with special needs, who may require special arrangements relating to attending class sessions, carrying out writing term project or taking examinations, are encouraged to inform the Instructor during the first week of classes.
D. Classroom Rules of Conduct:
Please respect university discipline rules and turn off cell phones and pagers during class. During the class, to use Facebook and other social websites are strongly prohibited. If professor catch a student who uses FB, VK, Twitter, etc in the class, s/he will be dismissed and the professor will write a report on student. Students should keep quiet and not be late for the class. Students should not be late to the class. If student would be late, professor has right to not to accept student to the class. Food and beverages are not permitted in the classroom. During the exams, the use of cell phones, pagers, PDAs, or any other electronic devices is strictly prohibited. Unmoral/Rude behaviours to other students, staffs and/or the instructor will not be tolerated.
E. Academic Honesty and Discipline:
Academic dishonesty will not be tolerated at AUCA. All assignments, quizzes, and exams must be done by on your own. If the student is found to engage in cheating, plagiarism, inventing false information or citations, helping someone else or any other violation of the ‘’Code of Academic Integrity’’ should expect the severest penalties available under AUCA policies.
- According to Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary; Plagiarize means: “to steal and pass of (the ideas or words of another) as one’s own, to use (another’s production) without crediting the source, to commit literary theft and to present as new and original an idea or product derived from an existing source.” As a result of these, Plagiarism is an act of fraud.
Students found guilty of academic dishonesty will be assigned an appropriate academic penalty.
For more information, please visit: http://www.auca.kg/en/registrar_code_conduct/
If you have any concerns about how to write an academic article, term paper, etc. feel free to consult me at any time.
III. COURSE ASSESSMENT & REQUIREMENTS
The nature of the subject requires active class participation. In order to participate in class discussions effectively, each student is expected to have read all assigned readings listed in the schedule. All students should NOT hesitate to participate when they want to expand the topic or they need further explanation, etc. If student 5 times absent without medical certification, s/he will automatically be failed in this course. Moreover, each student must have notebook for this course and a map which the instructor will distribute at the beginning of the semester. Every student must bring them in every class and they will prepare small notes for each European country after the class. Active and meaningful participation will add 10% to the final grade.
B. Assignments – 20%
Each student will write five short assignments relating with the questions in the assignment. Late submission will not be accepted, therefore, every student must bring their assignments on the due date and the instructor will collect them during the class. Each assignment will be counted as 4%. Each assignment will be e-course two weeks before the deadline. There is no page limitation. It can be one page or ten pages but students must answer all questions fairly.
C. Term Paper – 30%
Each Student is required to write to one descriptive research paper for this course. The aim of this paper is to help students to improve their writing and research ability.
Students should pick up three countries out of the same group and compare their political systems in a comparative method. Paper should include basic characteristics of political systems such as power structure, power source, types of government, etc...
Topics for Research Paper:
1.) Balkan Countries: Former Yugoslavia or Albania.
2.) South-Eastern Europe: Greece, Bulgaria, Turkey.
3.) Small Island States: Cyprus, Malta, Iceland.
4.) Neutral States: Austria, Switzerland.
5.) Ministates: Andorra, San Marino, Monaco, Vatican.
6.) Central Europe: Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary.
7.) Western Europe: The UK, Germany, France, Spain, Portugal.
Evaluation of the paper will be based on:
Structure of the paper will be evaluated as 5%of the total paper grade (title/abstract/keywords/introduction/methods/results/discussion/acknowledgmenets/literature cited/appendices).
Format of the paper will be evaluated as 5%of the total paper grade. Paper should be between 3.000-4.500 words (6-9 Pages) in length with Times New Roman, 12 font and Double spaces. Students are encouraged to use MLA style.
Content of the paper which reflects ability of writing and thinking skills will be count as 15%.
Bibliography will be counted 3%. There should be more than 5-7 resources at least.
Language style will be counted 2% of the final paper grade. Student should also pay attention on vocabulary and grammar style.
As a result of these, Term Paper will add 30% to the final grade.
The due date for term paper is indicated in the daily schedule of the course syllabus (NOT later than 15th week: 17th April 2013 Wednesday). No late papers will be accepted!
D. Final Test – 40%
Each Student must take a final test (40%) for this course. The final test will be given after the entire course is completed. It will be lasted 75 minutes.
The Final Test will be consisted of two parts: In the first part, there will be 20 Multiple Choice Questions and 1 point for each question: total 20 points. In the second part, there will be four short Open-Ended essay questions and 5 points for each question: total 20 points.
Make-up examinations will NOT be administered except in the case of a medical emergency.
Grading Policy:
The grade for the course will be comprised of the following percentages:
Attendance and Participation: 10%
Assignments: 20%
Term Paper: 30%
Final Exam: 40%
|
Grade |
Quality Points |
Results |
Grade Percentages |
|
A |
4.00 |
Excellent |
Above 93% |
|
A- |
3.67 |
Excellent |
89.51% - 92.49% |
|
B+ |
3.33 |
Good |
85.51% - 89.49% |
|
B |
3.0 |
Good |
82.51% - 85.49% |
|
B- |
2.67 |
Good |
79.51% - 82.49% |
|
C+ |
2.33 |
Average |
75.51% - 79.49% |
|
C |
2.0 |
Average |
72.51% - 75.49% |
|
C- |
1.67 |
Average |
69.51% - 72.49% |
|
D+ |
1.33 |
Poor |
65.51% - 69.49% |
|
D |
1.0 |
Poor |
62.51% - 65.49% |
|
D- |
0.67 |
Poor |
59.51% - 62.51% |
|
F |
0.00 |
Failed |
Less than 59.49 % |
*Note: These grades are used for all courses of European Studies Department at AUCA.
‘’P’’ Grade: ‘’Conditional Passing may be given for 90-100% of total grade.
‘’I’’ Grade: ‘’Incomplete’’ is given, If the student has been performing well throughout the semester but due to serious reason was not able to finish final assignment before the end of the semester. The Student must report the reason to the Department and the Register’s Office. After the assignment is completed, ‘’I’’ grade is replaced by the final grade.
‘’W’’ Grade: If the Student refuse to continue to study this course, this grade can be given by the Instructor. The Student signs the form designed by the Register’s Office and should repeat this course if it is a required course in the department.
‘’AU’’ Grade: ‘’Course Audit’’ is given if the Student may choose this course for audit and receive AU in case to be present for 75% of the classes.
IV. TENTATIVE CLASS SCHEDULE
Week I. Introduction
09.01.2013– Introduction to the Course and Syllabus.
Week II. Comparative Politics: Themes and Approaches
14.01.2013 – Comparative Study of Politics.
16.01.2013 – The Setting of Politics: Societies, Nations and States.
Readings: Total 22 Pages.
- Lowell Barrington, ‘’Comparative Politics: Structures & Choices’’, International Edition, 2010 Wadsworth, Cengage Learning, Pages: 1-22.
B. THEMATIC APPROACH
Week III. Levels of Governance: Territorial Organization of Power: Unitary and Federal States in Europe
21.01.2013 – Levels of Governance.
23.01.2013 – Levels of Governance.
Readings: Total 21 Pages.
- Michael Gallagher, Michael Laver and Peter Mair, “Representative Government in Modern Europe”, McGraw Hill, 4th edition, 2006, Pages: 164- 185.
Week IV. The Executive (Presidential and Parliamentary Government): Head of States in Europe: President and Monarch
28.01.2013 – The Executive.
30.01.2013 – The Executive.
Readings: Total 31 Pages.
- Michael Gallagher, Michael Laver and Peter Mair, “Representative Government in Modern Europe”, McGraw Hill, 4th edition, 2006, Pages: 24-55.
Week V. The Legislative: Unicameral and Bicameral Parliaments: Majoritarian and Consensus Governments
04.02.2013 – The Legislative.
06.02.2013 – The Legislative.
Readings: Total 25 Pages.
- Michael Gallagher, Michael Laver and Peter Mair, “Representative Government in Modern Europe”, McGraw Hill, 4th edition, 2006, Pages: 57-82.
*Assignment I: Political Structures (Due Date: 06.02.2013 Wednesday)
Week VI. Patterns in Party Politics and Party Systems in Europe
11.02.2013– Political Parties in Europe.
13.02.2013 - Political Parties in Europe.
Readings: Total 34 Pages.
- Michael Gallagher, Michael Laver and Peter Mair, “Representative Government in Modern Europe”, McGraw Hill, 4th edition, 2006, Pages: 187- 221.
Week VII. Party Families in Europe
18.02.2013– Party Families.
20.02.2013– Party Families.
Readings: Total 30 Pages.
- Michael Gallagher, Michael Laver and Peter Mair, “Representative Government in Modern Europe”, McGraw Hill, 4th edition, 2006, Pages: 230 – 260.
*Assignment II: Political Parties (Due Date: 20.02.2013 Wednesday)
Week VIII. Elections and Electoral Systems in Europe
25.02.2013 - Elections, Electoral Systems.
27.02.2013 - Elections, Electoral Systems.
Readings: Total 33 Pages.
- Michael Gallagher, Michael Laver and Peter Mair, “Representative Government in Modern Europe”, McGraw Hill, 4th edition, 2006, Pages: 340- 377.
Week IX. Spring Break: No Classes: 04.03.2013 – 08.03.2013
Week X. The Judiciary: Constitutions, Judges, and Politics: Rule of the Game in Europe
11.03.2013 – The Constitutions.
13.03.2013 – The Judicial Reviews.
Readings: Total 24 Pages.
- Michael Gallagher, Michael Laver and Peter Mair, “Representative Government in Modern Europe”, McGraw Hill, 4th edition, 2006, Pages: 86-111.
*Assignment III: Elections and Constitutions (Due Date: 13.03.2013 Wednesday)
Week XI. The Unelected Components of Government: The Bureaucracy and Military in Europe.
18.03.2013 – The Bureaucracy
20.03.2013 – The Military
Readings: Total 12 Pages.
- Lowell Barrington, ‘’Comparative Politics: Structures & Choices’’, International Edition, 2010 Wadsworth, Cengage Learning, Pages: 294-301 & 306-311.
Week XII. Political Participation and Interest Groups in Europe
25.03.2013 – No Classes.
27.03.2013 – Political Participation and Interest Groups in Europe.
Readings: Total 15 Pages.
- Lowell Barrington, ‘’Comparative Politics: Structures & Choices’’, International Edition, 2010 Wadsworth, Cengage Learning, Pages: 321-327 & 340-349.
Week XIII. The Choice Approach in Europe: Leadership and Individual Political Choices
01.04.2013 – Leadership and Individual Political Choices.
03.04.2013 - Leadership and Individual Political Choices.
Readings: Total 14 Pages.
- Lowell Barrington, ‘’Comparative Politics: Structures & Choices’’, International Edition, 2010 Wadsworth, Cengage Learning, Pages: 404-412 & 425-431.
*Assignment IV: Politics outside of Parliaments (Due Date: 03.04.2013 Wednesday)
C. The European Union
Week XIV. The European Union and Representative Government
08.04.2013 – What Does the EU Do?
10.04.2013 – The EU: Intergovernmental or Supranational Organization?
Readings: Total 14 Pages.
- Michael Gallagher, Michael Laver and Peter Mair, “Representative Government in Modern Europe”, McGraw Hill, 4th edition, 2006, Pages: 136- 150.
Week XV. The European Union’s Institutions
15.04.2013 – The EU Institutions.
17.04.2013 – The EU Institutions.
Readings: Total 16 Pages.
- Michael Gallagher, Michael Laver and Peter Mair, “Representative Government in Modern Europe”, McGraw Hill, 4th edition, 2006, Pages: 115- 136.
*Assignment V: The European Union (Due Date: 17.04.2013 Wednesday)
The due date for term paper! 17th April 2013 - Wednesday.
Week XVI. Review of the Course
22.04.2013 - Review of the Course.
24.04.2013 - Review of the Course.
Abbreviations and Acronyms
AFSJ – Area of Freedom, Security and Justice.
Benelux – Belgium, Netherlands and Luxembourg.
CAP - Common Agricultural Policy.
CEE – Central Eastern Europe.
CEEC – Committee for European Economic Co-operation.
CEN – European Committee for Standardization.
CET – Common External Tariffs.
CC - Candidate Country.
CFP – Common Fisheries Policy.
CFSP – Common Foreign Security Policy.
CJEU – Court of Justice of the European Union.
CoR – Committee of the Regions and Local Authorities.
COREPER - Committee of Permanent Representatives.
CSCE – Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe.
EAEC - European Atomic Energy Community=EURATOM.
EAFRD – European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development.
EC – European Community.
ECB – European Central Bank.
ECJ – European Court of Justice.
ECOSOC - Economic and Social Committee of the EC.
ECSC - European Coal and Steel Community.
ECU - European Currency Unit.
EDF - European Development Fund.
EEA – European Economic Area or European Environment Agency.
EEC - European Economic Community.
EESC – European Economic and Social Committee.
EFTA - European Free Trade Association.
EIB - European Investment Bank.
EMF – European Monetary Fund.
EMS - European Monetary System.
EMU – Economic and Monetary Union.
ENP – European Neighbourhood Policy.
EP - European Parliament.
ERASMUS - European Community Action Scheme for the Mobility of University Students
ERDF - European Regional Development Fund.
ESDP – European Security and Defense Policy.
ESF - European Social Fund
EU – European Union.
Eurojust- Europeans judicial co-operation unit.
Europol – European Police Office.
EUROSTAT - Community's Statistical Office.
GDP – Gross Domestic Products.
IGC – Intergovernmental Conference.
IMF – Internatioanal Monetary Fund.
IPE – International Political Economy.
IR – International Relations.
JHA – Justice and Home Affairs.
MEP - Member of the European Parliament.
MFN – Most Favoured Nation.
NATO – North Atlantic Treaty Organization.
NGOs – Non-Governmental Organizations
NTB – Non-tarrif barriers.
OECD - Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development.
OEEC – Organisation for European Economic Cooperation.
PR – Proportional Representation.
QMV – Qualified Majority Voting.
SEA – Single European Act.
SEM – Single European Market.
TEU – Treaty on European Union.
UN – United Nations.
WEU - Western European Union.
EUROPEAN UNION WEB RESOURCES
Europe http://www.europa.eu.int/
European Union in the US http://www.eurunion.org/index.htm
A to Z Index of European Union Websites
http://www.eurunion.org/infores/euindex.htm
EuroInternet http://eiop.or.at/euroint/
Know Europe Web Directory http://www.knoweurope.net/demo/html/webdir2.htm
EUROPARL: The European Parliament Online
http://www.europarl.eu.int/home/default_en.htm
CONSILIUM: Council of the European Union http://ue.eu.int/en/summ.htm
The European Commission http://www.europa.eu.int/comm/index_en.htm
CURIA - The Court of Justice http://curia.eu.int/en/index.htm
Court of Auditors http://www.eca.eu.int/EN/menu.htm
Euro http://europa.eu.int/euro
European Central Bank http://www.ecb.int/
European Economic and Social Committee http://www.ces.eu.int/pages/en/home.htm
Committee of the Regions http://www.cor.eu.int/home.htm
European Investment Bank http://www.eib.eu.int/
European Ombudsman http://www.euro-ombudsman.eu.int/home/en/default.htm
Community Plant Variety Office http://www.cpvo.eu.int
CEDEFOP: The European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training
http://www.cedefop.eu.int/
European Agency for the Evaluation of Medicinal Products http://www.emea.eu.int
European Agency for Reconstruction http://www.ear.eu.int
European Agency for Safety and Health at Work http://europe.osha.eu.int
European Defense Agency: http://www.eda.europa.eu/
European Environment Agency http://www.eea.eu.int
European Food Safety Authority http://www.efsa.eu.int/
European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions
http://www.eurofound.eu.int/
European Investment Fund http://www.eif.org/about/mission.htm
European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction http://www.emcdda.org
European Monitoring Centre on Racism and Xenophobia http://www.eumc.eu.int
European Training Foundation http://www.etf.eu.int
Office for Harmonisation in the Internal Market http://oami.eu.int
Translation Centre for the Bodies of the European Union http://www.cdt.eu.int
E. OTHER RELATED WEBSITES
Archive of European Integration http://aei.pitt.edu
Blue Guide to the Archives of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of the Member States and
the Institutions of the European Union http://ue.eu.int/BlueGuide/en/intro.htm
Compendium: Cultural Policies in Europe http://www.culturalpolicies.net/
Historical Archives http://europa.eu.int/historical_archives/index_en.html
EIoP: European Integration online Papers http://eiop.or.at/eiop/
European Foreign Policy Bulletin http://www.iue.it/EFPB/about_database.htm
The European Consortium for Political Research (ECPR): http://www.ecprnet.eu/
Euractiv EU News & Policy debates: www.euractiv.com
University Association for Contemporary European Studies (UACES): www.uaces.org
The European Union Studies Association (EUSA): www.eustudies.org
The European Union Center of Excellence (EUCE): http://www.euce.org
EuroInternet: http://eiop.or.at/euroint/
PLOTEUS (Portal on Learning Opportunities throughout the European Space):
http://ec.europa.eu/ploteus/home.jsp?language=en
Europe’s World: http://www.europesworld.org/
Debating Europe: http://www.debatingeurope.eu/
Toutel Europe: http://www.touteleurope.eu/index.php?id=4468
Europe in 12 Lessons: http://bookshop.europa.eu/en/europe-in-12-lessons-pbNA3110652/
Euro Web-Online: http://www.euro-webonline.com/main.htm
YouTube EU: http://www.youtube.com/eutube
BBC News – Europe: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world/europe/
EU Observer: http://euobserver.com
Foreign and Security Policy: www.europa.eu/pol/cfsp/index_en.htm
European Research Papers Archive: http://eiop.or.at/erpa/
The EU Delegation to the United States: http://www.eurunion.org/eu/
Access to European Union Law: (Eur-Lex): http://eur-lex.europa.eu/en/index.htm
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