POLS 316-01--Contemporary West European Politics                    Batkay
Fall 2005 (MW 11:30-12:45am SP-230)

COURSE OBJECTIVES

This course aims to acquaint students with the political and governmental systems of the Western European democracies, focusing on Britain, France, Germany and Italy. Students will be encouraged to think comparatively about the major issues and problems facing the Western European polities today, such as non-white immigration, the rising costs of the social welfare state and the continuing efforts to refashion and expand the European Union.

READING

REQUIRED

This book is available in the University Bookstore and should be purchased immediately. Additional reading may be assigned during the semester.

RECOMMENDED

New York Times or on-line news provider (e.g., www.cnn.com/world).

COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND PROCEDURES

See separate handout.

SCHEDULE OF TOPICS AND READINGS
DATES            TOPICS                                                                                   READINGS

9/7-14    I. Introduction:                      EPT,Preface,Chap. 1
             A. studying West European polities
             B. contemporary patterns & trends

9/19-    II. Liberal Democracy in West Europe   
  9/28                  A. the political process            EPT, Chap. 2
             B. sources of political conflict    EPT, Chap.3

[10/5                    JEWISH NEW YEAR--NO CLASS]

        III. Linkage Processes and Organizations
10/3-12      A. elections and election systems  EPT, Chap. 4 
10/17                    B. political parties and           EPT, Chap. 5
                party systems

[10/19                  JEWISH HOLIDAY OF SUKKOT--NO CLASS]
[10/24                  MID-TERM EXAM]
[10/26                  JEWISH HOLIDAY OF SIMHAT TORAH--NO CLASS]

10/31-11/3   C. interest groups                 EPT, Chap. 6 

         IV. Governmental Institutions          
11/7-9              A. executives                      EPT, Chap. 7
11/14-16     B. parliaments                     EPT, Chap. 8
11/21-24     C. courts and civil rights         EPT, Chap. 9

[11/25-27       THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY--NO CLASSES!]

11/28-30  V. Regional and Local Government      EPT, Chap. 10

12/5-7   VI. European Integration:              EPT, Chap. 11
             the European Union
             A. historical background
             B. institutions
             C. recent developments

12/12    VI. Future of European Democracies     EPT, Chap.12

[12/12                   LAST DAY OF THIS CLASS]
[12/19                   FINAL EXAMINATION]

TENTATIVE EXAM AND DUE DATES                                                    OFFICE HOURS
Mid-term exam........M., 10/24                   MW:2:30-4:00pm  
Final exam...........M.,12/19 (1:00-3:00pm)      Office: DI-207
                                                 Tel: [973]655-7579
                       (Political Science secretary): [973]655-4238
                                                                 
Homepage:   www.chss.montclair.edu/polysci/Batkay.htm
E-mail: batkayw@mail.montclair.edu
Fax:    TBA