Topics in Comparative Politics

This course is designed for senior political science majors to help you build the research design for your senior thesis. What is a thesis? What is a research proposal? How do you organize and design a research project? These questions will be at the heart of what we explore together this semester.\ud \ud The readings have been selected based on my understanding of student interests. I have selected readings that I consider exemplary but that do not stray far from student interests. We will select additional readings together and add them to the course throughout the semester. I have ideas for each student according to interests already conveyed to me but I would like to work with each of you in terms of putting together additional reading for the syllabus. We will all read the articles and chapters selected for the various topics. We will also be reading a methodology book in order to help us all through the process of formulating research questions and executing research projects.\ud \ud This course will be a workshop format. You will be sharing your ideas and your work with each other \ud throughout the semester. This will only work if each of you contributes your ideas and offers constructive criticism to your peers. We will build this class together