1. POLS 373 Foundations of Comparative Politics Introductory Class Meeting Winter Quarter January 2, 2008 Professor Timothy C. Lim CSU Los Angeles tclim@calstatela.edu

2. Basic Information POLS 373 Foundations of Comparative Politics Introductory Class Meeting Professor Timothy Lim CSU Los Angeles The best method of contacting me is by e-mail. In fact, when contacting me about any issue of importance, make sure to send me an e-mail. This provides written documentation. CourseSite: instructional1.calstatela.edu/tcliminstructional1.calstatela.edu/tclim CourseSite: instructional1.calstatela.edu/tcliminstructional1.calstatela.edu/tclim

3. Course Overview Key Objective: Becoming a “good comparativist” Learning to explain/understand “big” events and processes in various countries and societies throughout the world “Big” events and processes include democratization, state-building, ethnic and/or domestic conflict (including “terrorism”), national poverty and capitalist development Learn to think about and analyze issues--both big and small--in a systematic and “scientific” manner using the “tools” of comparative political analysis POLS 373 Foundations of Comparative Politics Introductory Class Meeting Professor Timothy Lim CSU Los Angeles

4. Course Overview: Key Questions and Issues Methodological Questions: Why compare? How should we compare? What can or should we compare? Substantive Questions: Why are poor countries poor? Why is East Asia rich? What makes a democracy? What makes a terrorist? POLS 373 Foundations of Comparative Politics Introductory Class Meeting Professor Timothy Lim CSU Los Angeles In this course, we will examine in depth these and other important questions

5. Course Requirements Your grade in this class will be based on several major requirements, as follows: Daily Quizzes (25%) No make-up quizzes! Midterm Examination (20%) Final Examination, which includes both an in-class (25%) and take-home component (30%) POLS 373 Foundations of Comparative Politics Introductory Class Meeting Professor Timothy Lim CSU Los Angeles

6. Course Textbook Doing Comparative Politics: An Introduction to Approaches and Issues (Boulder: Lynne Rienner Publishers, 2006) Available in the university bookstore or online POLS 373 Foundations of Comparative Politics Introductory Class Meeting Professor Timothy Lim CSU Los Angeles

7. Special Note On January 7, 9 and 14 we will have a special guest lecture at the beginning of the class period The lecturers are all candidates for a full-time position in Latin American Politics in the Department of Political Science Your attendance for these lectures is, of course, required. Even more, you should make every effort to arrive on time and to assist in the process of selecting a new faculty member for the Department of Political Science! POLS 373 Foundations of Comparative Politics Introductory Class Meeting Professor Timothy Lim CSU Los Angeles

8. Addendum to Syllabus: Policies Policy on Electronic Devices Prior to the beginning of class –Turn off your cell phones and other electronic devices, and –Remove all such devices from your desktops –Laptops computers are permissible for note taking, but you may not use them during quizzes or for any other activities during class POLS 373 Foundations of Comparative Politics Introductory Class Meeting Professor Timothy Lim CSU Los Angeles

9. Addendum to Syllabus: Policies Policy on Electronic Devices Please (!) refrain from “texting” or instant messaging at your desks This is always noticeable, even when you’re sitting in the back row of the classroom If you cannot help yourself, don’t come to class Violations of this policy may result in a reduction of your quiz score for that day POLS 373 Foundations of Comparative Politics Introductory Class Meeting Professor Timothy Lim CSU Los Angeles

10. Bowling for Columbine Synopsis: “Documentarian Michael Moore … takes a look at handgun violence in America, using the massacre at Columbine High School and the case of a six year old boy shooting a fellow student in Michigan as focal points…. Over the course of almost two hours, Moore covers a lot of social ground as he attempts not only to paint a portrait of the problem, but to look into those things that drive it” (Source: http://www.reelcriticism.com/) POLS 373 Foundations of Comparative Politics Introductory Class Meeting Professor Timothy Lim CSU Los Angeles

11. Bowling for Columbine: Questions What is the basic argument being put forth by Moore? In other words, what is his thesis? Does Moore have a “theory” of gun violence? What is it? What sort of comparisons does Moore use to support his thesis? What type of evidence does Moore use to support his argument? POLS 373 Foundations of Comparative Politics Introductory Class Meeting Professor Timothy Lim CSU Los Angeles 1. 2. 3. 4.