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Herding Cattle in the Great Rift Valley, Uganda
©A. James McAdams, 1999
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Welcome to my class!
The
goal of this course is to provide you with a systematic way of interpreting
world politics. If you are able to make well-informed
and reasoned judgments about the contemporary world by the end of this
class, I will be pleased.Comparative politics is little more than the
attempt to identify similarities and differences among diverse states,
cultures, and political systems. For example, what are the priorities
of the boy in the photograph? Does he have the same conception of politics
as you? How are his life prospects different from yours? I build this
course around a single concept: the formation of the modern nation-state.
As you will see, some parts of the world have nation states, but others
do not. We will explore why this is the case. We will also try to figure
out why we should care.
A.
James McAdams
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Readings |
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The
reading requirements in this course are both tangible and virtual.
I will ask you to read them very closely. Rather than being obsessed
with details, look for the big picture. All of these assignments
are here for a reason. Your job is to figure out why. Ask yourself:
How do the readings relate to lectures? How do they relate to each
other? Why should we care about the subjects they raise?
Roger Scruton, The
West and the Rest
John Kingdon, America
the Unusual
Carolina Maria de Jesus, Child
of the Dark
Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, Communist
Manifesto
Course Reader. For sale in the Lafortune Copy Shop
WebCT:
We will use this software to converse routinely.
Learn how to use WebCT by going to the Student Tour.
Other WWW assignments are listed throughout this Syllabus. If you come across some useful ones that I can add as suggested readings, please send them to me.
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Discussion
Sections |
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The discussion sections in this course will be intense, intimate,
and challenging. I absolutely expect you to participate in all aspects
of these discussion sections. Learning how to articulate your views is
an important skill. Notre Dame students should be masters of this art.
Requirements include: 1) Completing all readings on time; 2) actively participating
in each section; 3) Taking part in all online discussions on WebCT;
and 4) Completing short writing assignments. |
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Your Grades |
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Your final grade in
this course will be based upon the following factors:
Reflective essay
I (15%);
Reflective essay II (15%);
Participation in TA sessions and
short writing assignments (15% + 15%); and a Final
in-class examination (20% + 20%).
My advice to you . . .
Look
again at the boy in the photograph. He's real, I saw him, he'd
love
to be in your shoes. Most people in the world don't have the
freedom to express their views, the privilege to read great
books, or the leisure time to chat about faith, truth, beauty,
and justice.Chances are, when you enter the real world, you
won't have much time either. Notre Dame could be your last
chance. Beginning now and continuing for the next four
years, you should read everything you can, learn to write eloquently,
have passionate arguments with your peers, and visit your professors,
like me, on a regular basis.
If you
have any doubts, consider this:"For
unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required:
and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask
more." (Luke
12:48)
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My Office Hours |
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I
hold regular office hours every Tuesday from 10:45-11:45 and every
Wednesday from 2:00-4:00, & by appointment.
Location:
Nanovic Institute for European Studies, 211 Brownson Hall (behind the
Main Building, through the black wrought iron gate; turn right immediately
and go up the stairs). For information about my institute, see Nanovic Institute. Check out the European Studies Minor.
Call:
(574) 631-5253
Write: amcadams@nd.edu |
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TA Office Hours |
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Lenore E. VanderZee
Tristan Masat
John F. Wingerter
Jeffrey Church
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W 2:00 - 4:30 at Recker's and Th 11:00 - 12:00 at Recker's
M 10:30 - 12:00 at Recker's, and W 10:30 - 12:00 at Recker's
Tu 5:00 -7:00, and Th 5:00 - 7:00
Tu 1:30 - 2:30 at Waddick's Coffee Shop, and 9:30 - 10:30, at Waddick's
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