Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Summer 2023 - POL 132 D100

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

Class Number: 3444

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    May 8 – Aug 4, 2023: Tue, 10:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Exam Times + Location:

    Aug 11, 2023
    Fri, 12:00–12:00 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 build upon students’ existing knowledge of democratic and authoritarian politics, in order to develop a critical understanding of different forms of government in the world in the contemporary era.

Discussion will support students as they develop an understanding of the fundamental concepts of democratic and non-democratic governance and major theories related to the processes of democratization and democratic decay. The course will also look at selected empirical cases to illustrate concepts and theories in practice.

Major topics include regimes and regime types, the definition and determinants of political and economic development, and the importance of international influences and other major explanatory factors in shaping regime type.

The course will also consider the causes and effects of democratic backsliding and decay in the past and present—including corruption, polarization, institutional decline, and perceived concerns regarding domestic security threats. Finally, the course will help students to develop an awareness of the most significant challenges facing democracies today, and their potential responses.

Course Organization:

The two hours of class time will include a mixture of lecture, group discussions, audio-visual content, and in-class assignments. Tutorials will include additional small group discussions, and assignments. At the conclusion of the course, students will understand the origins and subsequent evolution of both democracy and authoritarianism, and be able to describe and analyze the major challenges facing democracies in the contemporary era.

Grading

  • Participation 10%
  • Group tutorial exercise 15%
  • Take-home Midterm 20%
  • Research paper outline 5%
  • Research paper 25%
  • Take-home Final exam 25%

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Siaroff, A., 2022. Comparing political regimes: A thematic introduction to comparative politics. 4th edition. Toronto: University of Toronto Press. ISBN 9781487536916.


The course has one required textbook. Other readings available online.


REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

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 website 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

RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the semester are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.