Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2018 - POL 132 D100

From Dictatorship to Democracy: Political Regimes in the 21st Century (3)

Class Number: 12696

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 3 – Apr 10, 2018: Tue, 9:30–10:20 a.m.
    Burnaby

    Jan 3 – Apr 10, 2018: Thu, 9:30–10:20 a.m.
    Burnaby

  • Exam Times + Location:

    Apr 23, 2018
    Mon, 3:30–6:30 p.m.
    Burnaby

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

A firm consensus - at least in the West - has developed in favour of democracy as a means to emancipate ordinary people from the mayhem, conflict, and poor quality of life associated with autocratic rule. Introduces the concepts and tools needed to measure and analyze democratization around the world. Breadth-Humanities/Social Sciences.

COURSE DETAILS:

Liberal democracy has yet to triumph across the globe: a sizeable number of countries remain firmly under dictatorial rule, with many others exhibiting a confounding mix of democratic and autocratic traits. Moreover, in well-established industrial democracies, governments struggle to uphold the liberal ideal of equality in political, economic and social spheres. The key questions this course examines are: What is democracy? How do we “see” and measure democracy? Is democracy better than its alternatives at facilitating human progress and happiness? Under what conditions does democracy flourish and erode? Can countries like Canada promote democratization in the Global South?

There will be 2 x 50 mins lecturers, plus a tutorial each week.  Tutorials start in Week 2.

Grading

  • Tutorial Participation 12%
  • In-Class Pop Quizzes x 5 8%
  • Mid-Term Exam 20%
  • Democratic Assessment (Measuring Democracy) 10%
  • Democratic Audit (Analyzing Democratization) 20%
  • Final Exam 30%

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Course readings posted on Canvas

Department Undergraduate Notes:

The Department of Political Science strictly enforces a policy on plagiarism.
For details, see http://www.sfu.ca/politics/undergraduate/program/related_links.html and click on “Plagiarism and Intellectual Dishonesty” .

Registrar Notes:

SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://students.sfu.ca/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating.  Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the University community.  Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the University. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the University. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS