Course Information
SemesterCourse Unit CodeCourse Unit TitleT+P+LCreditNumber of ECTS CreditsLast Updated Date
3PSIR231Comparative Politics3+0+03508.10.2026
Course Details
Language of Instruction English
Level of Course Unit Bachelor's Degree
Department / Program Political Science and International Relations
Type of Program Formal Education
Type of Course Unit Compulsory
Course Delivery Method Face To Face
Objectives of the Course The main objective of this course is to provide students with a systematic understanding of the concepts, theories, and approaches of comparative politics and to develop their ability to analyze political institutions, actors, and processes comparatively. The course aims to enable students to identify and compare different political systems and regimes, understand the causes and consequences of political change, and apply comparative approaches and empirical evidence to the analysis of political developments across countries and regions.
Course Content This course provides an introduction to the field of comparative politics and examines political institutions, regimes, actors, and processes across different countries and regions. It introduces major concepts, theoretical approaches, and methodological perspectives in comparative politics and explores patterns of democratization, authoritarianism, political change, political parties, electoral systems, and political participation. Through comparative case studies and empirical evidence, students develop the ability to analyze similarities and differences across political contexts and to critically evaluate competing explanations of political outcomes.
Course Methods and Techniques Lectures supported by class discussions, comparative analysis of political systems and processes, case studies, guided readings, student presentations, question-and-answer sessions, and analysis of empirical data and contemporary political developments.
Prerequisites and co-requisities None
Course Coordinator Associate Prof.Dr. Pelin Aliyev
Name of Lecturers Associate Prof.Dr. Pelin Aliyev
Assistants None
Work Placement(s) No

Recommended or Required Reading
Resources Caramani, D. (Ed.). (2020). Comparative politics (5th ed.). Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Course Notes Regular attendance, preparation through assigned readings, and active participation in class discussions and activities are expected. Students are required to observe academic integrity, respect diverse perspectives, properly acknowledge sources, and submit assignments and presentations by the specified deadlines.

Course Category
Social Sciences %100

Planned Learning Activities and Teaching Methods
Activities are given in detail in the section of "Assessment Methods and Criteria" and "Workload Calculation"

Assessment Methods and Criteria
In-Term Studies Quantity Percentage
Mid-terms 1 % 20
Quizzes 10 % 10
Assignment 10 % 10
Practice 1 % 10
Final examination 1 % 50
Total
23
% 100

 
ECTS Allocated Based on Student Workload
Activities Quantity Duration Total Work Load
Course Duration 15 3 45
Hours for off-the-c.r.stud 10 1 10
Assignments 10 3 30
Mid-terms 1 25 25
Practice 1 10 10
Final examination 1 30 30
Total Work Load   Number of ECTS Credits 5 150

 
Course Learning Outcomes: Upon the successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
NoLearning Outcomes
1 Explain the key concepts, approaches, and theories of comparative politics.
2 Compare political regimes, institutions, and processes across different countries and regions.
3 Analyze the relationships between political institutions, actors, and political outcomes from a comparative perspective.
4 Apply comparative approaches and empirical evidence to critically evaluate political developments and competing explanations.

 
Weekly Detailed Course Contents
WeekTopicsStudy MaterialsMaterials
1 First meeting, course introduction, syllabus review - -
2 Introduction to Comparative Politics Rothstein, B. (2020). The relevance of comparative politics. In D. Caramani (Ed.), Comparative politics (5th ed., pp. 21–32). Oxford University Press; Peters, B. G. (2020). Approaches in comparative politics. In D. Caramani (Ed.), Comparative politics (5th ed., pp. 35–48). Oxford University Press. Caramani, D. (Ed.). (2020). Comparative politics (5th ed.). Oxford: Oxford University Press.
3 Comparative Research Methods Pennings, P., & Keman, H. (2020). Comparative research methods. In D. Caramani (Ed.), Comparative politics (5th ed., pp. 50–65). Oxford University Press. Caramani, D. (Ed.). (2020). Comparative politics (5th ed.). Oxford: Oxford University Press.
4 The Nation-State Poggi, G. (2020). The nation-state. In D. Caramani (Ed.), Comparative politics (5th ed., pp. 69–83). Oxford University Press. Caramani, D. (Ed.). (2020). Comparative politics (5th ed.). Oxford: Oxford University Press.
5 Democracies Pérez-Liñán, A. (2020). Democracies. In D. Caramani (Ed.), Comparative politics (5th ed., pp. 86–102). Oxford University Press. Caramani, D. (Ed.). (2020). Comparative politics (5th ed.). Oxford: Oxford University Press.
6 Authoritarian Regimes Lindstaedt, N. (2020). Authoritarian regimes. In D. Caramani (Ed.), Comparative politics (5th ed., pp. 103–114). Oxford University Press. Caramani, D. (Ed.). (2020). Comparative politics (5th ed.). Oxford: Oxford University Press.
7 Legislatures Kreppel, A. (2020). Legislatures. In D. Caramani (Ed.), Comparative politics (5th ed., pp. 119–138). Oxford University Press. Caramani, D. (Ed.). (2020). Comparative politics (5th ed.). Oxford: Oxford University Press.
8 Mid-term exam
9 Governments and Bureaucracies Müller, W. C. (2020). Governments and bureaucracies. In D. Caramani (Ed.), Comparative politics (5th ed., pp. 139–158). Oxford University Press. Caramani, D. (Ed.). (2020). Comparative politics (5th ed.). Oxford: Oxford University Press.
10 Constitutions, rights, and judicial power Stone Sweet, A. (2020). Constitutions, rights, and judicial power. In D. Caramani (Ed.), Comparative politics (5th ed., pp. 159–177). Oxford University Press. Caramani, D. (Ed.). (2020). Comparative politics (5th ed.). Oxford: Oxford University Press.
11 Elections and Referendums Gallagher, M. (2020). Elections and referendums. In D. Caramani (Ed.), Comparative politics (5th ed., pp. 178–192). Oxford University Press. Caramani, D. (Ed.). (2020). Comparative politics (5th ed.). Oxford: Oxford University Press.
12 Political Parties Katz, R. S. (2020). Political Parties. In D. Caramani (Ed.), Comparative politics (5th ed., pp. 213-230). Oxford University Press. Caramani, D. (Ed.). (2020). Comparative politics (5th ed.). Oxford: Oxford University Press.
13 Party Systems Caramani, D. (2020). Party Systems. In D. Caramani (Ed.), Comparative politics (5th ed., pp. 231–251). Oxford University Press. Caramani, D. (Ed.). (2020). Comparative politics (5th ed.). Oxford: Oxford University Press.
14 Presentations
15 General Review and Comparative Analysis
16 Final Exam
17 Final Exam

 
Contribution of Learning Outcomes to Programme Outcomes
P1 P2 P3 P4 P5 P6 P7 P8 P9 P10
C1 5 3 3 3 2 1 2 2 1 2
C2 5 5 4 4 4 2 3 4 2 3
C3 5 5 5 5 5 2 3 3 2 3
C4 5 5 5 4 5 2 4 3 2 4

  Contribution: 1: Very Slight 2:Slight 3:Moderate 4:Significant 5:Very Significant