This page will contain links to lecture notes and other class-related information (e.g. MS PowerPoint presentations and PDF files) • Check back for updates. PLEASE BE ADVISED:I will not always be able to keep my instructional web site updated--some quarters, my schedule simply does not give me the time. I apologize in advance if this happens.
NOTE: LINKS TO POWERPOINT PRESENTATIONS HAVE BEEN INTENTIONALLY DE-ACTIVATED. OTHER INSTRUCTORS WHO WOULD LIKE ACCESS TO MY SLIDES CAN CONTACT ME DIRECTLY AT TCLIM@CALSTATELA.EDU
Note: My lectures are available only as a PowerPoint presentation or slideshow (In some cases, I have also included a PDF version.) If you do not have Microsoft Powerpoint, you can download Microsoft Powerpoint Viewer for free. PowerPoint Viewer 2003 lets you view full-featured presentations created in PowerPoint 97 and later versions. This viewer also supports opening password-protected Microsoft PowerPoint presentations. You can view and print presentations, but you cannot edit them in the PowerPoint Viewer 2003.Click here to download.
What Makes a Terrorist?(March 3, 5 and 10) • The lectures for chapter seven are available as two separate files. They are available as a PowerPoint slideshow and a PDF file.
1a. What Makes a Terrorist? Intro/RC and Cultural Perspectives (pps) 1b.What Makes a Terrorist? Intro/RC and Cultural Persperspective (pdf)
2a. What Makes a Terrorist? Structural Perspective (pps) 2b. What Makes a Terrorist? Structural Perspective (pdf)
For chapter seven, we viewed an interview with three former terrorists. I have included Part I of this video, shown in class, and Part II, which we did not view.
Three Former Terrorists Speak Out, Parts I and II
What Makes a Democracy?(February 25 and 27, March 3) • The lectures for chapter six are available as two separate files. The first set covers the introduction to chapter 7 and the structural perspective. The second set covers the rational choice perspective. As I have been doing recently, each set of lectures is available as a PowerPoint slideshow and a PDF file. Be advised that there are no notes covering the cultural perspective.
1a. What Makes a Democracy? Intro/Structural Persperspective (pps) 1b.What Makes a Democracy? Intro/Structural Persperspective (pdf)
2a. What Makes a Democracy? Rational Choice Perspective (pps) 2b. What Makes a Democracy? Rational Choice Perspective (pdf)
For chapter six, we viewed several short video segments in class. I have included these separately below. The first provides a very short report on the Tianamen Square massacre in China, which occurred in 1989. The second two are from a series entitled "Secrets of the CIA" covering Chile and Iran.
BBC Report: The Tianamen Massacre
"Secrets of the CIA": Chile
"Secrets of the CIA": Iran
Why is East Asia Rich?(February 13, 18 and 20) • The lectures for chapter five are available as four separate files: Introduction, the rational choice perspective, the cultural perspective, and the structural/world systems theory perspective. Each lecture is available as either a Powerpoint slide show (pps) or as a PDF file.
1a. Why is East Asia Rich? Introduction (pps) 1b. Why is East Asia Rich? Introduction (pdf)
2a. Why is East Asia Rich? Rational Choice Perspective (pps) 2b. Why is East Asia Rich? Rational Choice Perspective (pdf)
3a. Why is East Asia Rich? Cultural Perspective (pps) 3b. Why is East Asia Rich? Cultural Perspective (pdf)
4a. Why is East Asia Rich? Structural Perspective (pps) 4b. Why is East Asia Rich? Structural Perspective (pdf)
Why are Poor Countries Poor?The Structural Perspective (February 13) • This lecture includes material on the "soft structural" approach, which is not inclued in the textbook. This lecture is available in two formats: a Powerpoint slide show (ppt) and a PDF file.
• Why are Poor Countries Poor? Introduction and Rational Choice (ppt)
• Why are Poor Countries Poor? Introduction and Rational Choice (pdf)
Trailer from Life and Debt. This documentary on Jamaica provides a structural account of national poverty. I encourage students to view the entire video.
Why are Poor Countries Poor?The Cultural Perspective (February 12) • This lecture is available in two formats: a Powerpoint slide show (ppt) and a PDF file.
• Why are Poor Countries Poor? Introduction and Rational Choice (ppt)
• Why are Poor Countries Poor? Introduction and Rational Choice (pdf)
Why are Poor Countries Poor? Introduction and Rational Choice(February 4 and 6) • These slides cover the introduction to chapter four and the rational choice discussion of poverty.This lecture is available in two formats: a Powerpoint slide show (ppt) and a PDF file.
• Why are Poor Countries Poor? Introduction and Rational Choice (ppt)
• Why are Poor Countries Poor? Introduction and Rational Choice (pdf)
Theory in Comparative Politics(January 30) • These slides cover material from the second part of chapter 3 on the three research traditions in comparative politics: rationality, structure and culture. Much of the material included on these slides was NOT covered in class. Students are responsible for learning the material on all slides. This lecture is available in two formats: a Powerpoint slide show (pps) and a PDF file.
• Introduction to Theory (pps)
• Introduction to Theory (pdf)
Introduction to Theory in Comparative Politics(January 28) • Slides covering material in the first part of chapter 3. This lecture is available in two formats: a regular Powerpoint presentation (ppt) and as a PDF file.
• Introduction to Theory (pps)
• Introduction to Theory (pdf)
Stupid in America: Learning How to Apply Principles of Comparative Analysis
On January 23, we watched the 20/20 segment, "Stupid in America," with John Stossel. For students who would like to view the video again, you can watch it right here. Remember, we will continue our discussion of the video--its argument, method, and evidence--in class on January 28 • You can also download a copy of the lecture notes as PowerPoint slide show or as a PDF file on "Stupid in America"
Comparative Strategies(January 23) • Slides from material from the last part of chapter 2 • This lecture is saved in two formats: (a) a regular PowerPoint slide show, and (b) web-based html Powerpoint file. For students who use Windows-based PCs, the html file will allow you to view the slides as they were originally formatted, but without the animations.
• Comparative Strategies (ppt version)
• Comparative Strategies (html version)
Comparing to Learn, Learning to Compare (January 16) • Slides from material from chapter 2, including the logic of comparative analysis
Introduction to Comparative Politics, part 2 (January 14) • Slides from our abbreviated class session on January 14. These slides cover the first part of chapter 1
Introduction to Comparative Politics, part 1 (January 7 and 9)• Slides from our abbreviated class sessions on January 7 and 9. These slides cover the first part of chapter 1.
Introduction to Course (January 2)• Slides from the first class meeting on January 2, 2008.
