Political science
A.Y. 2020/2021
Learning objectives
The primary objective of the course is to introduce the key topics in the study of political science and the key tools for the study of politics. The material will cover the origin of states, regime determinants, regime transitions and consequences, the problems with group decision-making, legislative-executive relations, electoral systems, parties and party systems, political cleavages, institutional veto players, and the consequences of democratic institutions
Expected learning outcomes
Undefined
Lesson period: Third trimester (In case of multiple editions, please check the period, as it may vary)
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Third trimester
The teaching material will not change. For the time being, no changes are expected in the teaching and examination methods.
Course syllabus
Topics:
Introduction to the course
What is Science?
What is Politics?
The Origins of the Modern State
Democracy and Dictatorship
The Economic Determinants of Democracy and Dictatorship
Cultural Determinants of Democracy and Dictatorship
Democratic Transitions
Does a Regime Make a Difference?
Varieties of Dictatorship
Problems with Group Decision Making
Parliamentary, Presidential, and Semi-Presidential Democracies
Elections and Electoral Systems
Social Cleavages and Party Systems
Institutional Veto Players
Consequences of Democratic Institutions
Introduction to the course
What is Science?
What is Politics?
The Origins of the Modern State
Democracy and Dictatorship
The Economic Determinants of Democracy and Dictatorship
Cultural Determinants of Democracy and Dictatorship
Democratic Transitions
Does a Regime Make a Difference?
Varieties of Dictatorship
Problems with Group Decision Making
Parliamentary, Presidential, and Semi-Presidential Democracies
Elections and Electoral Systems
Social Cleavages and Party Systems
Institutional Veto Players
Consequences of Democratic Institutions
Prerequisites for admission
Being a first year exam, there are no prerequisites other than those required for admission to the degree course
Teaching methods
The main teaching method consists of lectures, but there may be thematic seminars proposed to students who, organized in small groups, will have to discuss, analyse and report their results to the whole classroom.
Teaching Resources
Attending students (9 credits): Principles of comparative politics (Clark, Golder and Golder, 2019, SAGE), only the lessons covered in class.
Attending students (12 credits): Principles of comparative politics (Clark, Golder and Golder, 2019, SAGE)
Non-attending students (9 credits): Principles of comparative politics (Clark, Golder and Golder, 2019, SAGE)
Non-attending students (12 credits): Principles of comparative politics (Clark, Golder and Golder, 2019, SAGE), Chapter 11 (Institutions: general observations), 13 (Bureaucracy and intergovernmental relations) and 14 (Leadership) of Shepsle, Kenneth A. Analyzing Politics: Rationality, Behavior and Instititutions, 2nd Edition. New York: W. W. Norton & Company, 2010.
Attending students (12 credits): Principles of comparative politics (Clark, Golder and Golder, 2019, SAGE)
Non-attending students (9 credits): Principles of comparative politics (Clark, Golder and Golder, 2019, SAGE)
Non-attending students (12 credits): Principles of comparative politics (Clark, Golder and Golder, 2019, SAGE), Chapter 11 (Institutions: general observations), 13 (Bureaucracy and intergovernmental relations) and 14 (Leadership) of Shepsle, Kenneth A. Analyzing Politics: Rationality, Behavior and Instititutions, 2nd Edition. New York: W. W. Norton & Company, 2010.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam evaluates the knowledge of the topics covered in the course and the analytical skills developed during the course. For attending students, learning will be assessed through an intermediate exam that will take place in the middle of the course and a final exam. Normally, the two exams contribute equally to the final mark. Each exam is a written test which, as a norm, consists of a part with about 12 multiple choice questions, which contributes 15 points to the final mark, and two open questions worth nine points each, for a sum total of 33 points (equivalent to 30 cum laude). Non-attending students must take a final exam that covers all teaching material. The duration of each exam is one hour and thirty minutes. Students will have about thirty minutes to answer the multiple-choice part and one hour for the two open questions. A passing mark ranges from 18 to 30 cum laude. Dictionaries, glossaries and calculators can be used. The results of the intermediate test are communicated through Ariel.
Professor(s)
Reception:
Tuesdays, 14:30 - 17:30 on skype (id: franchinocolla)
Dipartimento di Scienze Sociali e Politiche. Floor 3, Room 309