Political and Administrative Systems
A.Y. 2020/2021
Learning objectives
The course contributes to the general learning objectives of the Degree in Management delle organizzazioni e del lavoro (MOL) 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: First 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
Lesson period
First trimester
Teaching methods:
Lessons will take place in a mixed form: in-presence lessons for a fixed number of students (50% of the classroom capacity), online synchronous lessons for the others. Students who will follow remotely will be able to do so through the Microsoft Teams platform. The access code to attend the lessons on Teams is made available on the educational website of the course within the Ariel platform. Lessons can be also followed asynchronously as they will be recorded and uploaded on the Ariel platform.
Course syllabus and Teaching Resources:
The contents and reference material will not be changed.
Assessment methods and Criteria:
To date, the exam is confirmed in written form and will be carried out in person, in compliance with the safety regulations in force, guaranteeing international students, those residing outside the region as well as students with serious illnesses the possibility of taking the exam remotely, even on a different date, in light of the Covid-19 emergency. Any remote exams will be carried out using the exam.net platform, in the manner illustrated on the University portal, and with the possible help of the Microsoft Teams platform.
If necessary, depending on the evolution of the current pandemic, the examination will take place only remotely, in written or oral form. In this case, further and detailed information will be provided on the educational website of the course within the Ariel platform.
The exam (graded on an 18-30 scale) takes place in written form and includes open questions, aimed at ascertaining the acquisition of basic skills for the analysis of political and administrative systems. Furthermore, 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.
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 following link http://ariel.ctu.unimi.it.
Lessons will take place in a mixed form: in-presence lessons for a fixed number of students (50% of the classroom capacity), online synchronous lessons for the others. Students who will follow remotely will be able to do so through the Microsoft Teams platform. The access code to attend the lessons on Teams is made available on the educational website of the course within the Ariel platform. Lessons can be also followed asynchronously as they will be recorded and uploaded on the Ariel platform.
Course syllabus and Teaching Resources:
The contents and reference material will not be changed.
Assessment methods and Criteria:
To date, the exam is confirmed in written form and will be carried out in person, in compliance with the safety regulations in force, guaranteeing international students, those residing outside the region as well as students with serious illnesses the possibility of taking the exam remotely, even on a different date, in light of the Covid-19 emergency. Any remote exams will be carried out using the exam.net platform, in the manner illustrated on the University portal, and with the possible help of the Microsoft Teams platform.
If necessary, depending on the evolution of the current pandemic, the examination will take place only remotely, in written or oral form. In this case, further and detailed information will be provided on the educational website of the course within the Ariel platform.
The exam (graded on an 18-30 scale) takes place in written form and includes open questions, aimed at ascertaining the acquisition of basic skills for the analysis of political and administrative systems. Furthermore, 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.
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 following link http://ariel.ctu.unimi.it.
Course syllabus
The course contributes to the general learning objectives of the Degree in Management of Organization and Labour (MOL) 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
- Elections, public opinion and electoral systems (with a focus on the electoral results of the 2018 Italian general election)
- Representation, parliaments and governments
- Public policies and public administrations
- Political systems and national, subnational and supranational 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
- Elections, public opinion and electoral systems (with a focus on the electoral results of the 2018 Italian general election)
- Representation, parliaments and governments
- Public policies and public administrations
- Political systems and national, subnational and supranational levels of government.
Prerequisites for admission
There are no prerequisites.
Teaching methods
Lessons and class discussions.
Teaching Resources
Readings and requirements
- D. Della Porta, Introduzione alla scienza politica, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2008.
- A. Chiaramonte e L. De Sio (eds.), Il voto del cambiamento, Bologna, il Mulino, 2019 (introduction and chapters 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9). E-book version available for free on Darwinbooks through the digital library of the university library service (https://www-darwinbooks-it.pros.lib.unimi.it/doi/10.978.8815/353870)
- 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.
- A. Chiaramonte e L. De Sio (eds.), Il voto del cambiamento, Bologna, il Mulino, 2019 (introduction and chapters 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9). E-book version available for free on Darwinbooks through the digital library of the university library service (https://www-darwinbooks-it.pros.lib.unimi.it/doi/10.978.8815/353870)
- 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 (graded on an 18-30 scale) takes place in written form and includes open questions, aimed at ascertaining the acquisition of basic skills for the analysis of political and administrative systems. Furthermore, 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.
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 following link http://ariel.ctu.unimi.it.
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 following link http://ariel.ctu.unimi.it.
SPS/04 - POLITICAL SCIENCE - University credits: 6
Lessons: 40 hours
Professor:
Maggini Nicola