Democracy, Democratization and Civil Society in Comparative Perspective

label Diverse autorenew 2025-09-29, 17:01 history_edu Diana Ignat
A central purpose of the course is to think comparatively about the problems, opportunities, conditions, and constraints for democratic development and consolidation around the world. Concepts and theories will be examined in light of diverse empirical experiences from new democracies and to trace the source of Middle East and Chinese exceptionalism (the Robustness of Authoritarianism in the Middle East and China). Overall, this intensive summer course intended to provide students with a solid background in the study of democratization. The idea is to familiarize you with the key debates and concepts on this growing topic and to think critically about the literature in this area. As such, the assignments for this course will consist primarily of critical "think pieces" concerning literature on the reading list, rather than intensive investigations of particular case studies in which you are especially interested. Nonetheless, I encourage you to bring any case knowledge you possess into the class discussions and papers and to use it in making arguments about the democratisation literature. At the end of this course module and having completed the essential reading and activities students should be able to •Describe and evaluate different theories and conceptualisations of democracy and democratisation• Discern and analyse key factors in facilitating democratisation•Demonstrate an understanding of the role of civil society and social capital in building and maintaining democracy•Demonstrate this detailed and critical knowledge and understanding in written and verbal form. This course is taught at University of Copenhagen (Denmark) as part of the China Europe International Summer School (CEISS). CEISS is a collaboration between Fudan University (China), Utrecht University (Netherlands), Freie Universitat Berlin (Germany), University of Copenhagen and Edvance Education International (China), and offers summer courses that explore the world's main economic, social and political trends and the way they impact on the economies and societies of Europe and China.This course can be combined with the following CEISS courses:- China, the US, Europe and the Rise of Asia;- European Culture: Identities and Institutions;- Global Challenges - Sustainable Futures- Law and Economics: Competition, Regulation and Business Ethics in Europe and China- Chinese Financial Markets, CNY Exchange Rate Refomr and the Euro Crisis

Period
04-08-2014 - 18-08-2014 (2 weeks)

Target group
The course is primarily intended for students of social sciences and humanities with Intermediateacademic level: After completing this class, students will have a broader understanding of contemporary global changes, national politics and regimes and stronger analytical skills. This will enrich them intellectually and help prepare them for internationally oriented careers in government, inter-governmental and non-governmental organizations, business, and academia.

Course aim
This course aims to give a broad introduction to issues and ideas concerning democracy and democratisation.



Credits
5.0 ECTS credits

Course fee
EUR 1440[Convert to USD]Course + course materials + housing

Course leader
Dr. Yosef Kamal Ybbsa (University of Copenhagen, Dept. of Sociology)

China Europe International Summer School
Address: Cameo Center, Bldg 2, Rm 1001 16 Guangshun Nandajie
Postal code: 100102
City: Beijing
Country: China
Website: http://www.chinaeuropesummerschool.eu
E-mail: info@chinaeuropesummerschool.eu
Phone: +86 10 84764050