Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2021 - POL 132 D100

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

Class Number: 4789

Delivery Method: Remote

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 11 – Apr 16, 2021: TBA, TBA
    Burnaby

  • Exam Times + Location:

    Apr 19, 2021
    Mon, 12:00–3:00 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:

Course Description:

This course will explore different political regime types in the world. We will be looking at variations of democracies, dictatorships as well as hybrid/mixed regimes. When we explore each regime type, we will be focusing on three things:

  • Characteristics of each regime type
  • The challenges they face as well as their advantages
  • Their effect on various outcomes (war, development, etc.)
  • The trends each regime type faces

Democracies have been universally lauded as the best type of political system to live under. Yet analysts and political scientists also highlight the idea that democracy is not a one-size-fits-all solution. As such we will also consider when a democracy is best suited for a society as well as the examples when democracy did not produce the expected results.

This course will also include an in-depth study of a case study on a weekly basis as a way to apply the concepts and theories to the real world.

Course Format:

There will be a 2-hour lecture as well as a lab tutorial each week. The lectures will be delivered asynchronously (recorded videos will be posted weekly). The lab tutorials will be synchronous and delivered through Zoom.

Grading

  • Midterm Exam 25%
  • Final Exam 35%
  • Quizzes 20%
  • Class Exercises 20%

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Adam Przeworski. Crises of Democracy. Cambridge University Press. ISBN: 9781108498807

Department Undergraduate Notes:

The Department of Political Science strictly enforces a policy on plagiarism.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://www.sfu.ca/students/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

TEACHING AT SFU IN SPRING 2021

Teaching at SFU in spring 2021 will be conducted primarily through remote methods. There will be in-person course components in a few exceptional cases where this is fundamental to the educational goals of the course. Such course components will be clearly identified at registration, as will course components that will be “live” (synchronous) vs. at your own pace (asynchronous). Enrollment acknowledges that remote study may entail different modes of learning, interaction with your instructor, and ways of getting feedback on your work than may be the case for in-person classes. To ensure you can access all course materials, we recommend you have access to a computer with a microphone and camera, and the internet. In some cases your instructor may use Zoom or other means requiring a camera and microphone to invigilate exams. If proctoring software will be used, this will be confirmed in the first week of class.

Students with hidden or visible disabilities who believe they may need class or exam accommodations, including in the current context of remote learning, are encouraged to register with the SFU Centre for Accessible Learning (caladmin@sfu.ca or 778-782-3112).