Comparing Autocracies

MA Seminar

Dr. Sonja Grimm

University of Konstanz,
Summer Term 2018
Source: http://www.freedomhouse.org/sites/default/files/Map%20of%20Freedom%202013%2C%20final.pdf
Share of free, partial free and not free countries in the world, 1975-2010 (Freedom House)
Learning Goals

•  To understand and criticise autocracy research

•  To understand and criticise theories of regime transition and
stability
•  To write literature reviews and present them in class
Methods

•  Individual studying (literature)

•  Seminar discussion
•  Presentations
•  Methodological inputs for writing a literature review
Assignments

•  Readings
•  Participation in class discussion
•  Presentation
•  Term paper proposal
•  Term paper
Presentation

•  Literature review
•  Based on compulsory and recommended literature
•  Summarizes key questions, theoretical and methodological
approaches, achievements and shortcomings of the literature
•  Important: your central argument/main critique
•  20 min max.
•  Visualisation (Beamer presentation recommended)
•  Obligatory appearance in my office hour one week before
presentation; presentation must be sent per email latest by
Tuesday, 10 a.m.
Criteria for a Good Presentation

•  Presentation has a central argument

•  Resumes main contents briefly and concisely
•  Gives a well organized critical reflection
•  Valid, easy to follow
•  Presenter familiarizes himself with topic beyond obligatory
reading
•  In time
Paper = Literature review

•  Individual selection of topic

•  Deals with literature of relevant journals
•  Model: Annual Review of Political Science articles
•  5,000 words +/- 10%
•  Proposal: 10 July (10:00); Paper: 15 September (23:59)
•  Deadlines obligatory: each day of delay: - 1/3 of a full grade
•  Delivery as hard copy and pdf-upload in ILIAS
Relevant Journals
•  American Political Science •  Peace Science
Review •  International Security
•  American Journal of •  Democratization
Political Science •  Journal of Democracy
•  British Journal of Political •  Contemporary Politics
Science
•  International Political Science
•  International Organization Review
•  World Politics •  Journal of International Affairs
•  Journal of Conflict
Resolution
•  Journal of Peace Research
•  Conflict Management
Criteria for a Good Paper
•  Well organized argumentation: introduction-main part-
conclusions
•  List of contents in main part is well structured
•  Dense text, convincing in arguments and language, supports
main critique
•  Selection of recent literature from relevant political science
journals
•  Sources are indicated (references)
•  Critical treatment of sources
Keep your writings smart,
simple and to the point.
Plagiarism = no „Schein“!
Plagiarism = no „Schein“!

•  In order to avoid plagiarism: indicate your sources!!!!

•  Do not copy ideas without quoting the authors
•  Concerning the article you deal with: indicate concrete pages
(Smith 2008: 23), (ibid.: 49)
•  Concerning other resources if any: indicate complete source
(Maier 2009: 1; Jonson 2008: 3) and add a reference list
ILIAS

Course: Comparing autocracies

Username: [first name].[family name]
Password: [dictators]
Office Hour

•  In room D 230, tuesdays, 10:00- 11:30

•  What you get: feedback to preparation of presentation, to
presentation, to term paper preparations
•  (Written feedback to term paper)
•  What I expect concerning the presentations: you are prepared
with: a) your argument, b) the presentation’s content outline,
c) the literature you will use
Syllabus

2-4: Classifying Democracy and Autocracy

5-8: Explaining the Stability and Breakdown of Autocracies
9-12: Autocracies in International Relations
13-14: Case Studies
15: Term Paper Proposals and Conclusions
Next session

•  Why to study autocracies?

•  What are the main research problems?