POL 125 - Comparative Gov’t & Politics

1. Explain those historical factors which have meaning for the operation of the current political system and its political processes
2. Distinguish between unitary and federal states
3. Describe the electoral process for each major office in the political system
   1. Discuss the election/selection process for legislators in one cham­ber legisla­tures and dual chamber legislatures
   2. Reveal how the real head of state and the ceremonial head of state receive their positions
   3. Relate how the leadership of opposition parties is determined
4. Explain the major strands of political culture of the citizenry
   1. Analyze authoritarian culture
   2. Analyze democratic culture
5. Explain the powers of each political institution in the political system
   1. Describe the power and responsibilities of the executive
   2. Describe the power and responsibilities of the legislature
   3. Describe the power and responsibilities of the majority party and the opposi­tion parties
6. Relate what kind of role(s) and function(s) the principle officeholders play in the political system
   1. Discuss the role of the real head of state (president, chancellor, prime minis­ter)
   2. Discuss the role of the ceremonial head of state
   3. Discuss the role of the opposition party leaders
   4. Discuss the role of the rank and file legislator in each legislature
7. Identify the major political parties and discuss their positions on major social, econom­ic, and political issues
   1. Reveal the primary platform positions of the majority party
   2. Reveal the primary platform positions of the minority parties
8. Analyze trends of support as relates to the ruling and opposition parties and explain the reasons for those trends
9. Discuss weaknesses or problems related to the operations of the constitu­tional and/or legal order or framework
10. Explain major policy issues recently addressed by the government and/or major policy concerns under government consideration
    1. Identify economic policies and issues
    2. Identify social policies and issues
    3. Identify political policies and issues