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IRG-107 · School of International Relations & Geopolitics

Comparative Political Systems & Foreign Institutions

Credential: Certificate in Comparative Political Systems & Foreign Institutions

Course outline

Module 1: Foundations of Comparative Political Analysis5 items
  1. 1.1Systems, Regimes, Governments, and Institutionsvideo
  2. 1.2Comparative Methods, Case Selection, and Common Criteriavideo
  3. 1.3Formal Rules, Informal Practices, and Historyvideo
  4. 1.4Performance: Representation, Capacity, and Accountabilityvideo
  5. 1.5Designing an Institutional ComparisonAssessment
Module 2: Constitutions and Territorial Organization5 items
  1. 2.1Constitutions, Rights, and Amendmentvideo
  2. 2.2Federal and Unitary Systemsvideo
  3. 2.3Decentralization, Devolution, and Local Governmentvideo
  4. 2.4Territorial Representation and Intergovernmental Coordinationvideo
  5. 2.5Mapping Constitutional AuthorityAssessment
Module 3: Executive Institutions and Political Leadership5 items
  1. 3.1Presidential Systemsvideo
  2. 3.2Parliamentary Systems: Formation and Confidencevideo
  3. 3.3Semi-Presidential Systemsvideo
  4. 3.4Cabinets, Coordination, and Successionvideo
  5. 3.5Comparing Executive ArrangementsAssessment
Module 4: Legislatures and Political Oversight5 items
  1. 4.1Unicameral and Bicameral Legislaturesvideo
  2. 4.2Lawmaking, Committees, and Agenda Controlvideo
  3. 4.3Budget, Hearings, and Oversightvideo
  4. 4.4Party Discipline, Coalitions, and Independencevideo
  5. 4.5Legislative Influence Case AnalysisAssessment
Module 5: Elections, Parties, and Representation5 items
  1. 5.1Plurality, Majority, Proportional, and Mixed Systemsvideo
  2. 5.2Parties, Party Systems, and Coalitionsvideo
  3. 5.3Electoral Administration, Competition, and Confidencevideo
  4. 5.4Participation, Inclusion, and Representationvideo
  5. 5.5Electoral Rules and Political OutcomesAssessment
Module 6: Courts, Rights, and Accountability Institutions5 items
  1. 6.1Court Structures and Constitutional Reviewvideo
  2. 6.2Judicial Independence, Appointments, and Access to Justicevideo
  3. 6.3Audit, Ombuds, and Anti-Corruption Bodiesvideo
  4. 6.4Rights Protection, Checks, and Enforcement Gapsvideo
  5. 6.5Accountability Mechanism AnalysisAssessment
Module 7: Public Administration and Foreign Affairs Institutions5 items
  1. 7.1Civil Servicesvideo
  2. 7.2Ministries, Agencies, and Coordinationvideo
  3. 7.3Foreign Ministries, Missions, and Consular Servicesvideo
  4. 7.4Legislative, Security, and Economic Roles in Foreign Affairsvideo
  5. 7.5Institutional Coordination ExerciseAssessment
Module 8: Applied Country and Institutional Comparison5 items
  1. 8.1The Country Institutional Profilevideo
  2. 8.2Formal Authority versus Practicevideo
  3. 8.3Institutional Change, Reform, and Constraintsvideo
  4. 8.4Comparative Brief for Diplomatic Engagementvideo
  5. 8.5Integrated Institutional ComparisonAssessment

How you complete this course

  • Each module ends with an assessment. Score 80% or higher to unlock the next module.
  • After all modules: an applied final project and a proctored final examination.
  • Your progress is saved automatically, and you get reminders before deadlines.