GOVT-639 Critical Debates in Comparative Politics (3)

This seminar focuses on a set of interrelated themes and discusses debates in the social sciences on the meaning of politics and boundaries of “the political.” It examines the ways in which these boundary issues and debates about the locus and expressions of politics are addressed within research paradigms and methodological approaches in the sub-field of comparative politics. The meaning of politics and political contestation differs across societies and it is this difference which comparativists attempt to explain; though the very utility of the concept of difference is challenged on many fronts. In addition; the seminar concentrates on contemporary political phenomena; the conceptual issues which scholars use to explain political change; and new intellectual trends in comparative politics. Usually Offered: alternate springs. Prerequisite: GOVT-732 or SIS-672.