The course introduces students to the broad fields of comparative politics and conflict studies. Students examine theoretical and methodological underpinnings and diverse examples of 'best practice' in research and writing in comparative politics of the broad discipline of political science.
Topics include, the state and state-building, electoral and party systems, discrimination, representation, crime, civil conflict, and peacebuilding. In discussing substantive issues, the course will expose students to a range of methodological approaches used in the study of comparative politics.