Political Science
A.Y. 2023/2024
Learning objectives
The primary aim 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 list of topics includes: the origin of states, regime determinants and regime transitions, collective action problem, group decision-making, legislative-executive relations, electoral systems, parties and party systems, electoral competition, institutional veto players, and the consequences of adopting different varieties of democratic institutions
Expected learning outcomes
By the end of the course the student will be able to:
- interpret the results of statistical analyses related to scientific research in the political science domain;
- solve simple exercises concerning game theory or veto player theory;
- classify countries according to their level of democracy;
- distinguish and compare different types of political systems, electoral systems or party systems;
- interpret current political events in light of the political theories studied during the course.
- interpret the results of statistical analyses related to scientific research in the political science domain;
- solve simple exercises concerning game theory or veto player theory;
- classify countries according to their level of democracy;
- distinguish and compare different types of political systems, electoral systems or party systems;
- interpret current political events in light of the political theories studied during the course.
Lesson period: First trimester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
A-K
Responsible
Lesson period
First trimester
Course syllabus
This is an introductory course to the core topics in political science, with an emphasis on the main concepts, theories, and methodological issues. The first module consists in a presentation of political science as a discipline, of some basic concepts, and of the main research methods. The second module covers the main types of political regimes (democracies and non-democracies). The third module focuses on contemporary democracies and their institutions (e.g. forms of governments, electoral systems, party systems). The fourth module examines in depth a few countries from different world regions and characterized by different political systems.
Prerequisites for admission
None
Teaching methods
Standard lectures
Teaching Resources
Textbook:
Clark, William Roberts, Matt Golder, e Sona Nadenichek Golder. "Principi di Scienza Politica" (seconda edizione, curata da F.Franchino et al.). Milano, McGraw-Hill, 2022.
One of the following monographs:
a) Carbone, Giovanni. "L'Africa: Gli stati, la politica, i conflitti". Il Mulino, 2021 (nuova edizione).
b) Clementi, Francesco, e Gianluca Passarelli. "Eleggere il presidente: Gli Stati Uniti da Roosevelt a oggi". Marsilio, 2020.
c) Morini, Mara. "La Russia di Putin". Il Mulino, 2020.
Clark, William Roberts, Matt Golder, e Sona Nadenichek Golder. "Principi di Scienza Politica" (seconda edizione, curata da F.Franchino et al.). Milano, McGraw-Hill, 2022.
One of the following monographs:
a) Carbone, Giovanni. "L'Africa: Gli stati, la politica, i conflitti". Il Mulino, 2021 (nuova edizione).
b) Clementi, Francesco, e Gianluca Passarelli. "Eleggere il presidente: Gli Stati Uniti da Roosevelt a oggi". Marsilio, 2020.
c) Morini, Mara. "La Russia di Putin". Il Mulino, 2020.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam aims to verify that the student has learned the concepts and the theories covered by the course and knows how to express them clearly and precisely using the correct terminology, and how to use them to answer questions and solve problems.
Attending students will have the possibility to take an intermediate test during the course (first part of the program) and a final test at the end of the course (second part of the program). Both these tests include multiple choice questions, exercises, and open-ended questions. The final grade will result from the average between the grades obtained in the intermediate test and in the final test.
Non-attending students will need to pass a final written exam covering the whole program. The test will include both multiple choice questions, exercises, and open-ended questions.
Attending students will have the possibility to take an intermediate test during the course (first part of the program) and a final test at the end of the course (second part of the program). Both these tests include multiple choice questions, exercises, and open-ended questions. The final grade will result from the average between the grades obtained in the intermediate test and in the final test.
Non-attending students will need to pass a final written exam covering the whole program. The test will include both multiple choice questions, exercises, and open-ended questions.
L-Z
Responsible
Lesson period
First trimester
Course syllabus
This is an introductory course to the core topics in political science, with emphasis on the main concepts and methodological issues. After a brief introduction, the first part covers the methods used in empirical political science research and the main types of political regimes. The second section deals with political participation, especially elections and parties, while the last section covers political institutions and policy-making processes in contemporary democracies.
Prerequisites for admission
None
Teaching methods
Frontal lessons
Teaching Resources
Clark, William Roberts, Matt Golder, and Sona Nadenichek Golder. Principi di Scienza Politica (2nd edition). Milano, McGraw-Hill, 2022
A text of your choice between: a) Della Porta, Donatella, I partiti politici, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2015; b) Curini, Luigi and Pinto, Luca, L'arte di fare (e disfare) i governi: da De Gasperi a Renzi 70 anni di politica italiana , Milano, Egea, 2017
A text of your choice between: a) Della Porta, Donatella, I partiti politici, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2015; b) Curini, Luigi and Pinto, Luca, L'arte di fare (e disfare) i governi: da De Gasperi a Renzi 70 anni di politica italiana , Milano, Egea, 2017
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam aims to verify that the student has learned the concepts covered by the course and knows how to express them clearly and precisely, using the correct terminology. For the enrolled students, the exam consists of an intermediate (written) test and a final (written) test. The intermediate written test covers the topics discussed in chapters 1 to 10 of the manual and is divided into 2 parts, each of which contributes half to the vote of the intermediate test. The first part is a multiple choice test on the manual. The second part is a written response to one or more questions on the topics covered in the manual. The final written test covers the topics discussed in chapters 11 to 15 of the manual, as well as the text chosen by the students. The final exam is divided into three parts, each of which contributes a third to the final test. The first part is a multiple choice test on the manual. The second part is a written response to a question on one of the topics covered in the manual. Finally, the third part is a written answer to a question about one of the texts chosen by the students. The overall grade for the enrolled student consists of the average between the grade obtained in the intermediate test and in the final one.
Educational website(s)
Professor(s)
Reception:
Wednesday, 5:30 p.m.
Room 2, Department of Social and Political Sciences (1st floor, Building 1, stairs close to the cafeteria))
Reception:
Wednesday 10:00-13:00
room 319 - via Conservatorio 7, Department of Social and Political Sciences. Plz write directly to the teacher to make an appointment