Schedule and Work

This is the schedule of topics and assignments we will cover this semester. Open each drawer to find out what to read, watch, and do for that topic’s learning activities.

TopicDayDateAssignments Due
IntroductionTuesday9/9/2025
Comparative Politics: Introduction & MethodsThursday9/11/2025
Tuesday9/16/2025
Thursday9/18/2025Case Study Comparison 1 Due
no classTuesday9/23/2025
States & RegimesThursday9/25/2025
Tuesday9/30/2025Case Study Comparison 2 Due
no classThursday10/2/2025
Institutions- LegislaturesTuesday10/7/2025
Thursday10/9/2025
Institutions- ExecutivesTuesday10/14/2025Case Study Comparison 3 Due
Thursday10/16/2025Case Study Comparison 4 Due
no class- today is MondayTuesday10/21/2025
Midterm ExamThursday10/23/2025Last day to get Book Review or Design Your Own Project approved
Democracies & DemocratizationTuesday10/28/2025
Thursday10/30/2025Case Study Comparison 5 Due
Non-democracies and Democratic BackslidingTuesday11/4/2025
Thursday11/6/2025Asynchronous class (no in person)- complete the film review
Political IdentityTuesday11/11/2025Film Review Due, Meme Due
Thursday11/13/2025Case Study Comparison 6 Due
Political ViolenceTuesday11/18/2025
Thursday11/20/2025Case Study Comparison 7 Due
Political EconomyTuesday11/25/202510 Minute Class Due
no class- ThanksgivingThursday11/27/2025
no class- work on final assignmentsTuesday12/2/2025use class time to work on your assignments
Thursday12/4/2025use class time to work on your assignments
Challenges & Questions in Comparative PoliticsTuesday12/9/2025Mini-Fieldwork in NYC Due
Putting It All TogetherThursday12/11/2025Case Study Comparison 8 Due, Final Slide Due
Final ExamTuesday12/16/2025

  • Actively participate in our Tuesday and Thursday class
  • Read the entire syllabus on this page (or on the google doc linked on that page). Use the google docs comments function on the syllabus on anything that is unclear or you want to discuss further.
  • Read Bonzelos et al, Chapter 1 and Chapter 2
  • Check out this week’s slides.
  • Send your introductory email to the class
  • Complete Comparative Journal Entry 1 before class on September 18

In-class midterm exam. You may bring 1 hand-written study sheet (front and back is okay). There will be no makeup exams- but please don’t worry- if you miss the test, that’s okay- you can do other assignments to make up the points.

  • Read before our class: Bonzelos et al, Chapter 4
  • Actively participate in class sessions.
  • Check out this week’s slides.
  • Case Study 5 Due October 30
  • Read before our class: Bonzelos et al, Chapter 5
  • Actively participate in class sessions.
  • Check out this week’s slides.
  • Class on November 6 is asynchronous (not in person)- use the time to work on the Film Review and/or Meme Assignments, which are due November 11
  • Read before our class: Bonzelos et al, Chapter 11
  • Actively participate in class sessions.
  • Check out this week’s slides.
  • Case Study 7 due November 20.
  • Read before our class: Bonzelos et al, Chapter 8
  • 10 Minute Class Due November 25.
  • Actively participate in class sessions.
  • Check out this week’s slides.
  • Read before our class: Bonzelos et al, Chapter 12
  • Actively participate in class sessions.
  • Mini-Fieldwork in NYC Due
  • Check out this week’s slides.
  • Post your Final Slide and present it in our final class
  • Case Study 8 Due December 11.
  • Actively participate in our Tuesday class
  • Finish any outstanding assignments.
  • Take the Final Exam from on December 16 (if you’re taking it)