POLS& 204 - Comparative Government

1. Describe selected political systems in the world.
2. Employ the basic methodologies for carrying out comparative politics research and analysis.
3. Know the definitions of democracy, republicanism, authoritarianism, totalitarianism, and of federal, unitary, parliamentary, presidential systems.
4. Understand the fundamental differences and definitions of capitalism, communism, and socialism.
5. Define and differentiate between, common legal systems.
6. Understand the power relationships (e.g., race, ethnicity, religion, sex) within the differing political systems.
7. Know the historical, geographical, sociological, cultural, religious, and demographic factors that have affected the types and styles of politics and government in the selected countries.
8. Understand the roles of economic globalization and technological change in political systems around the world.
9. Demonstrate skills that can apply to careers around the globe in government, business, or non-profit fields.
10. Demonstrate competence in understanding political cultural differences across the globe.

1. Demonstrate knowledge of politics and government in the United States and/or across the world.

• Critical Thinking - Critical thinking finds expression in all disciplines and everyday life. It is characterized by an ability to reflect upon thinking patterns, including the role of emotions on thoughts, and to rigorously assess the quality of thought through its work products. Critical thinkers routinely evaluate thinking processes and alter them, as necessary, to facilitate an improvement in their thinking and potentially foster certain dispositions or intellectual traits over time.