00895 - Political Science (O-Z)

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course, students should be able to:

- understand and apply to different case studies the main dimensions of analysis of democratic regimes;

- understand and interpret the main dynamics of politics at both individual and group level, national level, and supranational level.

Course contents

The course is divided into two parts. After an introduction about the main concepts and methods in political science, the first part of the course will focus on the processes of state formation and democratization, democratic and authoritarian regimes, models of democracy, territorial dimension of power, and supranational dimension. The second part of the course will address the following topics: political parties, social movements and interest groups, electoral systems and elections, legislative assemblies, governments, analysis of bureaucracy and public policy analysis.

Readings/Bibliography

For attending students:

• Giliberto Capano, Simona Piattoni, Francesco Raniolo, Luca Verzichelli, Manuale di scienza politica, Bologna, Il Mulino 2017 New edition (selected chapters that will be specified at the beginning of the course).
• Arend Lijphart, Le democrazie contemporanee, Bologna, Il Mulino 2014 (selected chapters that will be specified at the beginning of the course).

For non-attending students:

• Giliberto Capano, Simona Piattoni, Francesco Raniolo, Luca Verzichelli, Manuale di scienza politica, Bologna, Il Mulino 2017 New edition.
• Arend Lijphart, Le democrazie contemporanee, Bologna, Il Mulino 2014.

Teaching methods

Lectures. Attendance is strongly recommended.

Assessment methods

For students who will attend classes, the course grade is based on a mid-term written exam about the first part of the program (50%) and on a final written exam about the second part of the program (50%). Each written exam consists of 5 longer answer questions and of 11 multiple choice questions (exam duration 1 hour). Longer answer questions are graded up to 2; multiple choice questions are graded 0.5 (correct) or 0 (wrong or missing).

Attending students are expected to be present at least for 21/30 (70%) of classes. Please subscribe to the distribution list of the course.

For students who will NOT attend classes, the course grade is based on a written exam about the entire program. The exam consists of 10 open answer questions and of 22 multiple choice questions (exam duration 2 hours). Open answer questions are graded up to 2; multiple choice questions are graded 0.5 (correct) or 0 (wrong or missing).

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It will be possible to ask for clarification about the evaluation at the date specified when the exam results will be published. In absence of communication by students, the published votes will be registered.

Teaching tools

Slides and other course materials will be available on line, at the web site http://campus.unibo.it.

Office hours

See the website of Andrea Pedrazzani