00895 - Political Science (F - N)

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student has a basic knowledge of the main approaches, concepts and methods in political science. These tools will allow the student to analyze political institutions and processes in a comparative perspective.

Course contents

The course is divided intotwo parts:

1) The empirical analysis of politics: nature and evolution of political science; approaches and methods; analysisof political actors (parties, interest groups, movements) and processes (political participation, electoral competition)

2)Political institutions: parliamentary and presidential systems; electoral systems; representation and parliaments; governments. democracyand dictatorship; transition to democracy.

Prof. Gianfranco Pasquino will teach the first part of the course, prof. Daniela Giannetti the second one.

Readings/Bibliography

1) G. Pasquino, Nuovo corso di scienza politica, Bologna Il Mulino, 2009.

2) G. Pasquino, Sistemi politici comparati, Bologna, Bononia UP, 2007.

3) R. Dahl, Sulla democrazia, Bari, Laterza, 2002.

For those students who will not able to attend the class a further reading is required:

4) G. Sartori, Ingegneria costituzionale comparata, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2004 chapters 1-7.

Teaching methods

The course will consist of 30 classes (two hours each). Attending the class is highly recommended, as it will facilitate students' learning of the basic concepts and tools of the discipline.The complete syllabus and all the relevant information about the course will be provided at the beginning of the course. The powerpoint presentations used in classeswill be made available at the course website.

Assessment methods

For students attending classthe examination will consist of two written tests (mid-term and final).

Teaching tools

Powerpoint presentations will be available at the course website http://campus.cib.unibo.it

Office hours

See the website of Daniela Giannetti

See the website of Gianfranco Pasquino