POLS 102 Comparative Politics and Reading Guide Vocabulary

Vocabulary terms and definitions derived from the POLS 102 syllabus and Amelia Hoover Green's 2013 guide on reading political science.

Comparative Politics

The study of political institutions, processes, and outcomes within countries using evidence from different countries, regions, communities, and historical periods to evaluate competing explanations for political outcomes.

Monday Overview Presentation

A ten-minute student presentation given at the beginning of a Monday class to provide a clear framework for the week's core concepts or theoretical argument using no more than two slides.

Friday Country-Case Presentation

A ten-minute student presentation delivered at the start of a Friday class providing historical and political background on an assigned case to evaluate and apply the week's theoretical argument using no more than two slides.

Short Theory-Application Paper

A three-to-four double-spaced page assignment due October 30 in which a student formulates a research question, applies a theoretical argument from the first four topics to a single country or case, and evaluates the evidence.

Final Comparative Paper

A six-to-seven double-spaced page paper due December 13 that revises and extends the short paper by incorporating a second country or case to perform an explicit comparative analysis.

Syllabus Extra Credit Quiz

A 10-question multiple-choice quiz held on August 31 covering course logistics, policies, academic integrity, and Hoover Green (2013), adding up to 1.0 percentage point to the final course grade.

Generative Artificial Intelligence Policy

Rules permitting AI tools for brainstorming, grammar, and organization, but strictly prohibiting AI from generating submitted text, conducting analysis, fabricating sources, or taking exams, and requiring full written disclosure of any assistance.

Four-Step Reading Method

Amelia Hoover Green's systematic reading process for empirical political science consisting of four steps: 1. Title, Headings, Abstract; 2. Skim for Signposts; 3. Read Strategically; 4. Review.

Abstract

A concise summary at the start of a scholarly article that outlines the central question, argument, and findings, which is distinct from an introductory section.

Skimming

A disciplined, systematic technique used to find the maximum amount of information in the minimum amount of time when navigating academic literature.

Signpost Words

Specific transition words and phrases (such as 'theory', 'prediction', 'in other words', or numerical indicators) that authors use to mark critical definitions, restatements, or structural arguments in a text.

Digression

Non-essential narrative details or side notes in an article that are not required to understand the core argument and can be crossed out or skipped during strategic reading.

Hearts and Minds Theory

A theoretical argument evaluated by Sexton and Zürcher (2014) in northern Afghanistan proposing that foreign aid and development projects can increase civilian support and legitimacy for the state.

Delegative Peacebuilding

A theoretical concept presented by Sally Sharif and Francy Carranza-Franco (2026) to explain the occurrence and dynamics of post-conflict selective violence.

Rural Bias

A phenomenon analyzed by Robin Harding (2020) examining how electoral competition affects the geographic distribution of public services like health and education in sub-Saharan Africa.

Social Revolution

A major socio-political upheaval analyzed by Lachapelle, Levitsky, Way, and Casey (2020) as a key mechanism explaining the extraordinary durability of revolutionary authoritarian regimes.