Neal G. Jesse                                                                                     Fall 2001

Office: 117 Williams Hall                                                                       OLSC 2001

Office Hours: TR  2:30-3:45 or by appointment                                        TR 1:00-2:15

njesse@bgnet.bgsu.edu               

 

 

POLITICAL SCIENCE 351

WEST EUROPEAN POLITICS

 

 

            This course serves as an introduction to the politics of Western Europe for students majoring in the social sciences, social sciences education majors, and related majors.  This course provides the student with two separate but related elements necessary to understand politics in the nineteen nations of Western Europe.  We will first explore the theories of political development, organization and institutions that seek to generalize about politics in Europe.  Secondly, we will examine in detail the policy history and current events of some of the major nations in Europe.  In both elements, an emphasis is placed on the role of political institutions, political parties, and governmental processes.  This course will also include a study of the origins of political conflict, the nature of the party system and electoral system, the role of parliaments and the executive, decision-making, socio-economic cleavages, voting behavior and citizen participation.  This course also serves as an introduction to the role of the European Union and its impact on the future of European political life.

 

 

 

Course Readings

 

            Two books are required for this course:

 

                        M. Gallagher, M. Laver and P. Mair, Representative Government in

Modern Europe, 3rd Ed.

                        H. Wiarda, European Politics in the Age of Globalization

 

 

            The first book provides broad comparative information on West European political systems.  The student should take from this book the characteristics that define European politics, particularly in how they differ from American politics.  It also provides a short introduction to the European Union and its contribution to modern European politics.  The second book focuses on individual countries, and sometimes groups of similar countries.  Each chapter highlights the political history, economy and political institutions of the appropriate country or countries.  I provide this book so students can gain a firm and extensive understanding of a few important European governments.

 

 

 

 

 

Grading and Assignments

 

            The final course grade will take into account the following:

 

                        Quizzes:                                                20%

                        Term paper:                                          30%

                        Mid-term examination:                           20%

                        Final examination:                                  30%

 

            The quizzes are announced ahead of time.  Questions on the quiz are multiple-choice and fill-in-the-blank.  The quizzes are intended to offer the student a method by which to judge his/her progress in the course and how well she/he is keeping up with the class readings.  The mid-term and final examinations consist of short-answer and short essay questions.  The term paper covers any important aspect of West European politics in which the student is interested.  The length of the paper will be from 10 to 15 pages.  A handout later in the course will describe the paper assignment in greater detail.

 

 

Schedule of Readings

 

FOUNDATIONS

Week 1             Introduction to European Politics

 

Aug 28             Class Introduction

Readings:          Gallagher, et. al., Ch. 1 (pp. 1-13)

 

Aug 30             A Brief History of European Political Development

Readings:          Wiarda, Ch. 1 (pp. 1-51)

 

 

BROAD COMPARISONS OF WEST EUROPEAN COUNTRIES

Week 2             The Executive in European Governments

           

Sept 4, 6           Courts and Constitutions

Readings:          Gallagher, et. al., Ch. 2 (pp. 14-40)

 

 

Week 3             The Executive in European Governments

 

Sept 11             Monarchs and Presidents

Readings:          Gallagher, et. al., Ch. 3 (pp. 41-49)

 

Sept 13             Prime Ministers and Cabinets

Readings:          Gallagher, et. al., Ch. 3 (pp. 49-67)

 

 

 

 

 

Week 4             The Legislature: Parliaments and Assemblies

 

Sept 18, 20        Parliamentary Powers

Readings:          Gallagher, et. al., Ch. 4 (pp. 68-95)

 

 

Week 5             The Divisions that Divide Europe and Make Politics Go

 

Sept 25             Origins of Common Social Cleavages    

Readings:          Gallagher, et. al., Ch. 9 (pp. 234-270)

 

Sept 27             Examples of Cleavage Systems

Readings:          continue from above

 

 

Week 6             The Commonalities that Unite Europe

 

Oct 2, 4                        Party Families

Readings:          Gallagher, et. al., Ch. 8 (pp. 202-233)

 

                       

Week 7             The Organization of Party Competition

 

Oct 9                Party Systems

Readings:          None

 

October 11        No Class — Fall Break

 

 

Week 8             Elections and Government         

 

Oct 16              Electoral Systems

Readings:          Gallagher, et. al., Ch. 11 (pp. 271-299)

 

Oct 18              Government Formation

Readings:          Gallagher, et. al., Ch. 12 (pp. 300-374)

 

 

Week 9

 

Oct 23              MID-TERM EXAMINATION         

Readings:          none

 

 

MAJOR COUNTRIES OF WESTERN EUROPE

GREAT BRITAIN: THE POLITICS OF KINGDOM, CLASS AND DECLINE

Oct 25              History and Culture

Readings:          Wiarda, Ch. 2 (pp. 52-64)

 

 

Week 10          

 

Oct 30              Governmental Institutions

Readings:          Wiarda, Ch. 2 (pp. 65-91)

 

Nov 1               Policies and Issues

Readings:          as above

 

 

FRANCE: PLUS ÇA CHANGE, PLUS C'EST LA MÊME CHOSE

Week 11          

 

Nov 6               A Messy History

Readings:          Wiarda, Ch. 3 (pp. 92-112)

 

Nov 8               Fifth Republic Institutions

Readings:          Wiarda, Ch. 3 (pp. 113-137)

 

 

Week 12          

 

Nov 13             Policies and Current Issues

Readings:          as above

 

GERMANY: DEUTSCHLAND REUNIFIED

Nov 15             History up to Reunification

Readings:          Wiarda, Ch. 4 (pp. 138-154)

 

 

Week 13           NO CLASS

 

Nov 20             Governmental Institutions

Readings:              Wiarda, Ch. 4 (pp. 155-217)

 

November 22    No Class — Thanksgiving

 

 

Week 14          

 

Nov 27             Policies and Issues

Readings:          as above

 

ITALY: THE DIVIDED COUNTRY

Nov 29             Italy in one day 

Readings:          Wiarda, Ch. 7 (pp. 304-367)

 

November 29    Term Paper Due in Class

 

 

EUROPEAN UNION

Week 15           An Introduction to the European Union

 

Dec 4               Institutions of the European Union

Readings:          Wiarda, Ch. 9 (pp. 412-421)

                        Gallagher, et. al., Ch. 5 (pp. 96-134)

 

Dec 6               Institutions cont.

Readings:          as above

 

Week 16           Policies of the European Union

 

Dec 11             EMU, Foreign Policy, Social Policy

Readings:          Wiarda, Ch. 9 (pp. 422-455)

 

COURSE CONCLUSION

Dec 13             What we now know about Europe

Readings:          none

 

           

Final Examination       Tuesday, December 18, 1:15 – 3:15 pm.