Political Science 335
West European Politics
Fall 2004
Professor James Lutz
Classroom/Medical 211
Office Phone: 481-6688
Office Hours: MWF 10-11, MWF 12-1:30
Class Hours: MWF 11-12, W 1:30-4:30, TR 9-10:15
Email: lutz@ipfw.edu
The present course will deal with the democratic governments and politics of Western Europe, including both the larger countries and some of the smaller nations as well. This course meets the general education advanced study requirement. The following paperback texts are required for the course:
Jurg Steiner, EUROPEAN DEMOCRACIES, 4th ed.
Michael Gallagher, Michael Laver, and Peter Mair, REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT IN WESTERN EUROPE, 3rd ed.
In addition, there are a few readings that are on reserve in the library. These readings are listed on the syllabus for the specific topics in question.
The course requirements will consist of two hour exams, a final at the regularly scheduled time, and a research paper. These requirements are assigned the following percentages of the final grade:
Lowest Grade of Paper
or Hour Exam 20%
Other Two Grades 25%
Final Exam 30%
The hour exams will be essay in nature (after discussion in the class, the format of the hour exams may be changed to include some short answer or identification type questions). The final exam will be comprehensive in nature and will be all essay. All the essay questions on the exams will require more than simply repeating information from the readings or lectures. Critical evaluation of the material and analysis of the situation referred to in the question will be necessary. Essay questions almost by definition have the potential for a number of right answers. The days listed for the hour exams are tentative; they might be changed if circumstances dictate. Changes will be announced in class, and you are responsible for the information contained in class announcements, including information pertaining to the exams.
The paper should deal with some aspect of politics or government in West Europe. It can deal with a single country or including comparisons of more than one country. The paper will be a research paper in good form. I will supply a handout containing information on the preparation of the paper.
Comments, questions, and additional points of view are always welcome in class.
The readings for the various portions of the course are assigned in blocks of time rather than day by day (although we will no doubt fall behind the schedule at times or get ahead of it). You should at least have started the readings on the day specified. I have tried to list the readings in what seems to be the most appropriate order for doing them. By keeping up with the assignments, you can better clarify any problems or misunderstandings as they occur. The lectures at times will parallel the readings, at other times add to them, and on yet other occasions introduce new topics or material.
| DATE | TOPIC | READINGS |
| Aug. 24 | Introduction to Course | |
| Aug. 24 | Democracy in Western Europe | Steiner, Introduction, Gallagher et al, Chap. 1 |
| Aug. 26 | Divisions and Cleavages in Society | Gallagher et al, Chap. 9 |
| Aug. 31 | Political Parties and Social Movements | Stiener, Chap. 1; Gallagher et al Chap. 8; Heemin Kim & Richard C. Fording, “Voter Ideology in Western Democracies: An Update,” European Journal of Political Research, Vol. 42 (2003), pp. 95-105 [ON RESERVE]; Gallagher et al, Chap. 10; Steiner, Chap. 7; Joop J. M. van Holsteyn and Galen A. Irwin, “Never A Dull Moment: Pim Fortuyn and the Dutch Parliamentary Election of 2002,” West European Politics, Vol. 26, No. 2 (April 2003), pp. 41-66 [ON RESERVE] |
| Sept. 9 | Party Systems | Gallagher et al, Chap. 7 |
| Sept. 21 | Election Systems and Cabinet Formation | Steiner, Chap. 2; Gallagher et al, Chaps. 11 & 12; Kaare Strom and Jorn Y. Leipart, "Policy, Institutions, and Coalition Avoidance: Norwegian Governments, 1945-1990," American Political Science Review, 87:4 (December 1993), pp. 870-887; Steiner, Chap. 3 |
| Oct. 5 | *FIRST HOUR EXAM* | |
| Oct. 8 | Territorial Divisions of Power | Steiner, Chap. 5;Gallagher et al, Chap. 6 |
| Oct. 14 | Executives and Parliaments | Gallagher et al, Chaps. 2 & 3 |
| Oct. 21 | Judicial Systems | Gallagher et al Chap. 4; Steiner, Chap. 4; Harrison, "The French Constitutional Council: A Study in Institutional Change," Political Studies 38 (1990), 603-619 [ON RESERVE] |
| Oct. 28 | Interest Groups | Steiner, Chap. 6 Gallagher et al, Chap. 14 |
| Nov. 4 | Policy Making | Stiener, Chaps. 8; Gallagher et al, Chaps. 13 & 14; Klaus Armingeon, "Swiss Corporatism in Comparative Perspective, West European Politics, 20:4 (1997) pp. 164-180 {ON RESERVE] |
| Nov. 9 | The European Communities | Steiner, Chaps. 13 & 14; and Gallagher et al Chap. 5 |
| Nov. 23 | *SECOND HOUR EXAM* | |
| Dec. 2 | The Future in East Europe | Steiner, Chaps. 9 & 10; Gallagher et al, Chap. 15; Steiner, Chap. 18 |
| Dec. 7 | Nationalism and Ethnicity | Steiner, Chaps. 11 & 12 |
| Dec. 14 | **FINAL EXAM** (8-10) |