B0327 - POLITICA COMPARATA NELL’ERA DIGITALE

Learning outcomes

The course deals with the effects of digital technologies on participation and political behavior and the transformations that new technologies introduce on democratic and representative processes. In addition to the introduction of some theoretical coordinates, the course emphasizes the applicative aspects and the empirical analysis of the observed political phenomena. At the end of the course, the student: - knows the fundamental themes of the political science debate on political participation, on the organizations through which this is expressed, on the transformations that democratic processes undergo as a consequence of technological innovations; - is able to design and carry out a simple empirical research on these issues; - knows how to appropriately justify his/her methodological choices and is able to discuss the results of his/her empirical analysis in front of a specialist audience.

Course contents

The course focuses on the effects that recent digital technologies have brought on political systems and their functioning.

The topics covered will range from political participation, to social movements and political parties, to democratic backsliding: for each topic we will analyze the impact of technological innovations.

The basic question we will try to answer has a fundamentally normative component: have the internet and its various applications strengthened or weakened democracy? Have they widened or reduced inequality in participation and access to major political decisions? Have they increased or decreased the quantity and quality of information available to citizens?

Readings/Bibliography

The texts will be communicated at the beginning of classes.

Teaching methods

During the course, lectures will alternate with seminar-type classes, in which students will be asked to present readings or case studies. In any case, students will be asked to prepare in advance on the assigned material.

Active participation on the part of the students and assiduity in attending classes is therefore required.

Assessment methods

Students will be assessed on the basis of three elements: 1. active participation in the discussion of texts on the Perusall collaborative reading platform; 2. participation in presentation and discussion sessions; 3. a research paper on one of the topics covered in class.

More details will be released before the start of lessons and made available through Virtuale.

Office hours

See the website of Filippo Tronconi