This is not a distance-learning course. The student is expected to attend every class and contribute to discussions. In addition to completing the assigned readings, students should monitor major international events and coming to class prepared to discuss them. Any missed handouts and graded work are obtainable during office hours. Exams feature a mixed format of multiple choice, matching, identification, and short essay questions.
Students are responsible for the assigned readings as well as material covered in class.
Each exam will focus mainly upon the governments that were featured during the respective half of the semester. However, because this is a comparative course, a comprehensive integration of key concepts and issues from the entire semester is required for the final exam. Any requests for make-up exams require justifying documentation before the date of the exam and are subject to the discretion of the instructor. Only in the case of dire emergencies will make-ups be given. Each team is required to complete a current events journal of a single country that has experienced a change in leadership since the publication of the textbook.