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POLS 4207: Politics of Western Europe
DR. CRAIG B GREATHOUSE
Department of Political Science and Criminal Justice
West Main Hall 318
706-867-3504
cbgreathouse@northgeorgia.edu
Office Hours: Spring 2010
MW 9:00AM-11:00AM
T/TH 2:30PM-3:45PM
POLS 1101 is prerequisite for all 3000/4000 political science courses
Course Description
A study of the politics and governing institutions of the principle nations in Western
Europe.
Course Goals
Understand democratic governance in its different forms
Use comparative methodology in examining the states of Western Europe
Understand the difference between forms of parliamentary government
Know the defining features of the British, French, and German forms of government
Sharpen writing and analytical skills through testing and the completion of an analytical
paper using comparative methodology
METHODS OF INSTRUCTION
This course will be conducted using a combination of lecture and Socratic Method
supplemented by outside reading by the students. Critical thinking and analysis skills
will be refined through the use of two analytical papers designed to teach students how to
apply frameworks and use comparative methodology.
CODE OF CONDUCT
For this course the code of conduct that is articulated in the student handbook and
reiterated on pg 23-24 of the undergraduate bulletin serve as the rules for this class.
Violations will be dealt with by the instructor and may be elevated to the Departmental
Chair and or Dean of Students for additional action. All options remain open to the
instructor up too and including an administrative withdrawal from this class are possible.
ATTENDANCE POLICY:
Mandatory attendance will not be demanded within the scope of this class. I understand
that there are going to be instances where you are not going to be able to make it, there
may be a time when I am unable to attend class. However missing class will adversely
affect your grade in that information that I present within the scope of lecture and
discussion may not be covered in the book. I have found that there is a direct
correlation between the number of times that a student misses class and the grade that
they earn. If you miss a class, talk to one of the students in the class to get a copy of the
day’s notes. If you must miss class for an extended period of time come talk with me
and we will make arrangements to deal with situation. There needs to be just cause for
an extended absence with proof being provided if required by the instructor. It remains
the student’s responsibility to deal with any of the consequences as a result of missing
class. MISSING CLASS WILL HURT YOUR GRADE.
Roll will be taken several times during the first three weeks of the semester for
administrative purposes. If you do not sign into role after the add drop week then you
will be dropped from the course during enrollment verification.
If you have to leave class early please talk to the instructor at the beginning of the period.
Please be cognizant of the of fact that you will be disturbing the class as you leave so take
every care to make the disruption as minimal as possible.
TESTING AND GRADING
NO LATE TERM PAPERS OR OTHER MAJOR
ASSIGNMENTS WILL BE ACCEPTED!!!!! PAPERS
ARE DUE IN CLASS ON THE DAY OF THE
ASSIGNMENT.
I DO NOT ACCEPT PAPERS OR OTHER MAJOR ASSIGNMENTS SENT VIA
EMAIL OR FAX.
PAPERS NOT UPLOADED TO TURNITIN.COM ON TIME WILL HAVE
DEDUCTION OF 30% OFF THE FINAL GRADE
Grading in the course will be based on the university’s grade distribution.
A’s = 90-100 - exceptional work
B’s = 80-89 – good work
C’s = 70-79 – average work
D’s = 60-69 – below average
F’s = 59 and below – failing
Your final grade in the course is determined by an average of all work done during the
semester. At times an assignment or grading element may have a greater or lesser
weight than other work done during the semester. If this is the case you will be informed
and the grade will be calculated with that in mind. Quizzes may not be specifically
scheduled in a syllabus but I retain the right to quiz students at anytime I see fit.
I consider cheating on tests or papers to be a major violation of the academic integrity
policy. Therefore, if you are caught cheating you will be given an F for the semester and
your case referred to the Academic Integrity Council for further action.
The grades for this class will be determined by the following criteria this semester.
There will be three exams, each worth 100 points. The exam will be take home in nature
with each test having 3 essay questions examining major themes and ideas that have been
dealt with in class. It is expected that the exams will be based on cogent arguments and
fully supported. You must upload your exams to Turnitin.com or lose 30% of your
grade.
There will be two major writing assignments given during the course of the semester.
The first paper will be worth 100 points and the second will be worth 150 point. In the
first 10 page paper the student will choose one country and examine the country’s
institutional structure and show how democratic that country is based on the criteria
discussed in class. The second paper, 15-20 pages, will be comparative in nature
examining two countries in Europe (broadly defined) through the use of a portion of the
structural functional framework. Specific details on each of the papers will be given
in separate handouts. Each paper must be submitted to turnitin.com.
Paper ONE is due February 22nd, 2010
Paper TWO is due April 12th, 2010
There are a total of 550 points that can be earned.
MAKE UP TESTS
If you miss a test there may be an opportunity to take a make up. Make ups tests are
given at the sole discretion of the instructor. You must have a valid reason why you
missed the test and be able to offer proof to support your position. Sleeping in or just
not feeling up to it are not valid excuses. If you are sick go to the University Health
Center or your personal doctor and get checked out. Make up tests if given must be
completed within one week of the scheduled exam unless there are extenuating
circumstances. The test will be in the form that the instructor chooses, normally all
essay and it tends to be more difficult than the original test. You must contact the
instructor prior to the test to even be considered for a make-up, you can either send
me an email (which is preferred method) or leave a message on my office answering
machine.
Academic Integrity Policy:
- Honor Code: "On my honor, I will not lie, cheat, steal, plagiarize, evade the truth
or tolerate those who do."
- Suspected violations of the Academic Integrity policy should be referred by
students to the instructor. If the instructor concludes that a violation of the Academic
Integrity policy has occurred, the instructor will either (1) penalize the student and file an
incident report with the Academic Integrity Council or (2) refer the matter directly to the
Academic Integrity Council. If an incident report is filed by the instructor, the instructor
will review the completed report with the student and will request that the student sign
the report as an indication that the student is aware of the contents of the report.
PLAGIARISM
IF YOU ARE CAUGHT PLAGIARISING IN THIS COURSE, YOU WILL
RECEIVE AN F FOR THE COURSE. YOU WILL THEN BE FORWARDED TO
THE ACADEMIC INTEGRITY COUNCIL FOR FURTHER ACTION. I DO
NOT TOLERATE PLAGIARISM IN ANY WAY SHAPE OR FORM.
PLAGIARISM DEFINED - is using others' ideas and words without clearly
acknowledging the source of that information. Plagiarism is offering someone else's work
as your own, whether one sentence or whole paragraphs, whether from an internet source,
book, periodical, or the writing of other students.
Plagiarism Software Check Statement
Students agree that by taking this course all required papers may be subject to submission
for textual similarity review to Turnitin.com for the detection of plagiarism. All
submitted papers will be included as source documents in the Turnitin.com reference
database solely for the purpose of detecting plagiarism of such papers. Use of the
Turnitin.com service is subject to the Terms and Conditions of Use posted on the
Turnitin.com site.
You will be submitting both of your research assignments to Turnitin for a plagiarism
check. More information will be provide on how access turnitin for this course. In
addition the instructor may use other approaches such as google searches or other
methodology in addressing suspected plagiarism.
TURNITIN.COM Information
Class Code = 3035644
Password = parliament (case sensitive)
Information Literacy Statement (for 3-4000 level courses, optional in lower level
courses)
So what exactly is Information Literacy (IL)? Information literacy, the topic of North
Georgia’s Quality Enhancement Plan, is the ability to know when information is needed
and to access, evaluate and use information effectively and ethically. Information
literacy, with its focus on definable skills and critical thinking, supports and extends the
institution's overall learning outcomes.
Information Literacy Learning Outcomes*
1) The information literate student determines the nature and extent of the
information needed. (Know)
2) The information literate student accesses needed information effectively and
efficiently. (Access)
3) The information literate student evaluates information and its sources critically
and incorporates selected information into his or her knowledge base and value
system. (Evaluates)
4) The information literate student, individually or as a member of a group, uses
information effectively to accomplish a specific purpose. (Use)
5) The information literate student understands many of the economic, legal, and
social issues surrounding the use of information and accesses and uses
information ethically and legally. (Ethical/Legal)
*Learning Outcomes adapted from the Association of College and Research Libraries
(ACRL) standards
This course through its two written assignments addresses IL Learning Outcomes #1, #2,
#3, #4, and # 5
On-line evaluation
Class Evaluations: Class evaluations at NGCSU are now conducted on-line through
Banner. Evaluation of the class is considered a component of the course and students
will not be permitted to access their course grade until the evaluation has been
completed. The evaluations will be accessible beginning one week prior to Final Exam
week.
Early Alert Participation
I am committed to your success in this course and at this university. I may, therefore, refer you to
other persons and/or services available to help you achieve academic success. In turn, if you are
referred, you will be expected to comply with the referrals. Please understand that such referrals
are not a form of punishment, rather, they are intended to help you.
NGCSU has implemented an Early Alert/Early Intervention program. I am a participating faculty
member in the program. I may, then, refer you to other persons and/or services at the university
designed to help you achieve your academic goals. You, in turn, will be expected to take
advantage of the help offered to you.
As your teacher I am committed to your academic success, not only in this class, but at this
university. If I feel you would benefit from some of the special services available to students, I
will make the appropriate referral. I will, further, expect you to comply with the referral and take
advantage of the services offered.
Accommodation for Students with Disabilities:
North Georgia College & State University (NGCSU) is committed to the full
inclusion of individuals with disabilities and to the principle of individual rights and
responsibilities. To that end, the policies and procedures of NGCSU reasonably ensure
that a person with a disability is not, on the basis of that disability, denied full and equal
access to and the enjoyment of academic programs and co-curricular activities or
otherwise is subjected to discrimination in such programs and activities.
The policies for access by individuals with disabilities at NGCSU are designed to
ensure full compliance with all pertinent federal and state legislation, specifically to
include Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with
Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990.8
To receive disability accommodations, the student should contact the Coordinator
of Disability Resources, Office of Academic Support Programs, Room 207 Barnes Hall.
Approval of reasonable accommodations will be made on a case-by-case basis
BOOKS
The following text is required for this course
Politics in Britain + Politics in France + Politics in Germany package
Bruce F. Norton, Charles Hauss, M. Donald Hancock, Henry Krisch, CQ Press
It is HIGHLY recommended you follow the news out of Europe during this course. One
alternative is to read the Economist which comes out weekly. Another option is to
follow the news from Europe daily on BBC.com.
COURSE SCHEDULE
Week One: Introduction, Democracy
Week Two: Democracy, Comparative Method, Structural Functionalism
Week Three: Comparative Method and Structural Functionalism
MLK Holiday Monday January 18, 2010
Week Four: UK
Test # 1
Start Reading Politics in UK
Week Five UK
Week Six UK
Week Seven UK
No class February 16-18, 2010 at ISA Conference
Week Eight Test # 2
France
Start Reading Politics in France
Week Nine France
Week Ten France
March 15-19 – SPRING BREAK
Week Eleven Germany
Politics in Germany
Week Twelve Germany
Week Thirteen Germany
Week Fourteen Country of Greathouse’s Choice
Week Fifteen Cont
Test 3 given out last day of class
Finals Week Test # 3
Final is Friday April 23th, 2010 from 10:30am-12:30pm
