Political and Administrative Systems
A.Y. 2019/2020
Learning objectives
The course contributes to the general learning objectives of the Degree in Scienze del Lavoro, Amministrazione e Management (LAM) providing the theoretical and analytical tools necessary to understand the functioning of the Italian political system and the process of producing public policies in the perspective of political science. The course is divided into two parts. The first part aims to provide students with the tools and analytical categories necessary for the study of political and administrative systems in a comparative perspective. In the second part the different components of the Italian political system are analyzed - institutional architecture (government, parliament, centralization/decentralization, center-periphery relations), political culture, party and electoral system, electoral dynamics and political competition, pressure groups and forms of political participation, decision-making processes and public policies production - applying the concepts illustrated in the first part.
Expected learning outcomes
At the end of the course, students will be able to describe, by using the theoretical and analytical tools of political science, the functioning of political and administrative systems in a comparative perspective as well as - in particular - of the Italian political system and public policies. Moreover, students will also be able to use the acquired knowledge to frame critically the different components of the Italian political system - institutional architecture (government, parliament, territorial arrangement between centralization and decentralization), political culture, party and electoral system, electoral dynamics and political competition, pressure groups and forms of political participation, decision-making processes and public policies - even if these have not been directly addressed during the lessons.
Lesson period: Third trimester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Third trimester
Course syllabus
The course contributes to the general learning objectives of the Degree in Scienze del Lavoro, Amministrazione e Management (LAM) providing the theoretical and analytical tools necessary to understand the functioning of the Italian political system and the process of producing public policies in the perspective of political science. The course is divided into two parts. The first part aims to provide students with the tools and analytical categories necessary for the study of political and administrative systems in a comparative perspective. In the second part the different components of the Italian political system are analyzed - institutional architecture (government, parliament, centralization/decentralization, center-periphery relations), political culture, party and electoral system, electoral dynamics and political competition, pressure groups and forms of political participation, decision-making processes and public policies production - applying the concepts illustrated in the first part.
More specifically, the following topics will be explored:
- What is politics
- What is democracy
- What is political participation
- What are groups and social movements
- What are political parties and party systems
- Representation, parliaments and governments
- Public policies and social policies
- Public administrations
- Political systems between the state and sub-national levels of government.
More specifically, the following topics will be explored:
- What is politics
- What is democracy
- What is political participation
- What are groups and social movements
- What are political parties and party systems
- Representation, parliaments and governments
- Public policies and social policies
- Public administrations
- Political systems between the state and sub-national levels of government.
Prerequisites for admission
There are no prerequisites.
Teaching methods
Lessons, class discussions, exercises.
Teaching Resources
Readings and requirements
- D. Della Porta, Introduzione alla scienza politica, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2008.
- M. Ferrera, La società del Quinto Stato, Bari-Rome, Laterza, 2019.
- Slides will be made available on the course website and are part of the syllabus.
- During lessons further short readings may be suggested to complete the list of readings for the exam.
There are no differences in the syllabus between attending and non-attending students.
- D. Della Porta, Introduzione alla scienza politica, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2008.
- M. Ferrera, La società del Quinto Stato, Bari-Rome, Laterza, 2019.
- Slides will be made available on the course website and are part of the syllabus.
- During lessons further short readings may be suggested to complete the list of readings for the exam.
There are no differences in the syllabus between attending and non-attending students.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam takes place in written form and includes open questions and some multiple choice tests, both aimed at ascertaining the acquisition of basic skills for the analysis of political and administrative systems. One or more open questions will be aimed at verifying the ability to consciously and critically use the key concepts at the basis of political science as well as political and administrative systems.
Students who obtain a mark of at least 27/30 in the written examination can request to take an oral exam (concerning all the topics covered in the course) to improve the final evaluation. Taking the oral exam, however, does not necessarily lead to an improvement in the final mark.
The exam aims to verify that students have learned the concepts and notions covered by the course, they know how to express them clearly (using the correct terminology), and they are able to apply them to the analysis of new phenomena and case studies.
A website is available where students can find information and materials for the exam preparation. It can be accessed from the the following link http://ariel.ctu.unimi.it.
Students who obtain a mark of at least 27/30 in the written examination can request to take an oral exam (concerning all the topics covered in the course) to improve the final evaluation. Taking the oral exam, however, does not necessarily lead to an improvement in the final mark.
The exam aims to verify that students have learned the concepts and notions covered by the course, they know how to express them clearly (using the correct terminology), and they are able to apply them to the analysis of new phenomena and case studies.
A website is available where students can find information and materials for the exam preparation. It can be accessed from the the following link http://ariel.ctu.unimi.it.
SPS/04 - POLITICAL SCIENCE - University credits: 6
Lessons: 40 hours
Professor:
Maino Franca
Shifts:
-
Professor:
Maino FrancaProfessor(s)
Reception:
Monday from 14.00 to 17.00. I am available by appointment. I can be contacted by e-mail and MS Teams.
Department of Social and Political Sciences, Room no. 17, second floor