Programme

The aim of the first part of the course is providing to the students some basic instruments of knowledge: a) the meaning of politics; b) how to construct scientific theories; c) elements of methodology used by political science to investigate the political phenomena.
The second part of the course analyses some crucial themes, such as: a) the state and the processes of state-building; b) the process of European integration; c) the types and features of political regimes (non-democratic, hybrid and democratic regimes).
The third part of the course analyses, always in a comparative perspective, the subject of democracy: a) political parties, groups, social movements; b) elections and electorial systems; c) political representation; d) the democratic institutional systems (parliament, government, public administrations); e) the actors and the dynamics of policy-making.

Core Documentation

Texts for the exam (a.y. 2021-2022):

1) Handbook - P. GRILLI DI CORTONA, O. LANZA, B. PISCIOTTA, L. GERMANO, Capire la politica, Utet Università, Novara, 2020 (third edition);

Here the link to the publisher's website Utet: http://www.utetuniversita.it/catalogo/scienze-umane-e-sociali/capire-la-politica-3694
The book is available in electronic format on Pandoracampus
website: https://www.pandoracampus.it/store/details/10.978.8860/087362

2) Book - P. GRILLI DI CORTONA, Lezioni di scienza politica, a cura di Rosalba Chiarini e Barbara Pisciotta, Editoriale Scientifica, Napoli, 2016.

Type of delivery of the course

Lessons are oral. During the lessons, all the topics of Political Science are exposed and illustrated. The theoretical and analytical knowledge is reconstructed, and the results of empirical research are presented. During the lessons, interactions with the attending students are always solicited, in order to make the lessons more effective and to improve the learning. The first part of the course examines some important subjects: the meaning of politics; the construction of scientific theories; the elements of methodology to investigate the political phenomena. The second part of the course analyses, in a comparative perspective, some crucial themes, such as the state and the processes of state-building and the process of European integration; the types and features of political regimes (non-democratic and democratic regimes). The third part of the course analyses, always in a comparative perspective, actors (political parties, groups, social movements), processes elections, electorial systems, political representation), structures of political system (parliament, government, public administrations) and the dynamics of policy making.

Attendance

Participation to the lessons is optional, but it is recommended. Those wishing to participate to the written test, organized at the end of the lessons (see: assessment methods), are asked to assure the presence as a percentage of at least 70% of the hours of lesson.

Type of evaluation

For students who attend the course a written test is foreseen in December 2021. The test takes 30 minutes. It includes 31 multiple choice questions. Each question is accompanied by closed answers. The student must insert a cross for the correct answer among the proposed answers. Every correct answer is one point. The exam is passed if student gets the mark of 18/30. For students who do not frequent the course there will be an oral exam. The exam will be aimed at evaluating the preparation of the student. The questions asked will be oriented to verify the degree of knowledge of the analytical and methodological tools of Political Science. Particular attention will be paid to verify the empirical knowledge that derives from research conducted on different topics which are illustrated in the text books. Finally, the student’s ability to establish links between the different themes will be evaluated, as well as the propensity of critical reflection on the phenomena being studied. If they wish, attending students will be able to participate in the written test which will be organized in December.

Programme

Objectives
The aim of the course is to introduce the main concepts, approaches, methods and the central problems regarding the scientific analysis of political phenomena in order to provide students with basic knowledge for analyzing and understanding the functioning of contemporary political systems.

Program
The course will present and discuss in comparative perspective all main themes of the discipline, specifically will be analyzed the following topics: state, democracy, non-democratic regimes and regime changes, political parties, interest groups, electoral systems, parliaments, governments, bureaucracy and public policies.

Core Documentation

1) P. Grilli di Cortona, O. Lanza, B. Pisciotta, L. Germano, Capire la politica. Una prospettiva comparata, Utet, Novara, 2020 (III edizione);
2) P. Grilli di Cortona, Lezioni di scienza politica, a cura di R. Chiarini e B. Pisciotta, Editoriale Scientifica, Napoli, 2016.

Type of delivery of the course

Class Teaching. Attendance is optional but strongly recommended. The lessons will take place in presence and live streaming on the Ms Teams platform. AUDIO-VIDEO RECORDINGS WILL NOT BE ALLOWED.

Attendance

Attendance is optional. Students attending at least 70% of the lessons hours may have the opportunity to take the written test immediately after the end of the course.

Type of evaluation

Assessment methods Students not attending the course will have to take an oral exam, which consists of a few questions aiming at assessing the analytical skills and knowledge of the arguments addressed in the two texts indicated below. Student attending the course may take a written test in December 2021. Taking the test is not mandatory but suggested. The test will be held as follows: - To be entitled to take the test, students are required to register through the Gomp website; - The test consists of 31 multiple choice questions based on the two texts indicated in the section below. For each question, the student will have to choose one out of four possible answers, within 20-25 minutes. The final result will be calculated attributing to each question the value 1 (correct answer) or 0 (wrong or no answer); - The test is passed only with a minimum result of 18/31; - The student may choose between accepting their result and having it recorded and taking an oral exam based on the whole programme. In the first case the result will be valid until September 2022 and may be recorded during one of the examination sessions, a.a. 2021-2021 prior registration through Gomp website. In the second case, the student will have to follow the indications valid for the non attending students. DURING THE COVID-19 EMERGENCY PERIOD, THE EXAMINATION WILL BE CARRIED OUT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF ART.1 OF THE RECTOR'S DECREE NO. 703 OF 5 MAY 2020.