The aim of this course is to provide the basic knowledge with respect to the concepts, models and theories of Political Science, with specific attention to its empirical and research dimension. The course is divided into two parts. The first part introduces on the basic theoretical concepts of the discipline and the main political science research tools. The second part is a monographic focus on the Italian political system which adopts two perspectives: 1) the relationship between politics, political parties and society; 2) electoral participation and voting choice.

Theoretical part

• Introduction – Political science: politics, policies, polity
• The political system
• Democracy and its “alternatives”
• Political participation and its different dimensions
• Social movements, pressure groups and political parties
• Party models and party systems
• Elections, electoral systems and electoral behaviour
• Democratic representation and parliaments
• Institutions and levels of government
• Political communication
• Decisional process and public policies
• Political research methods and techniques; comparative research.

Monographic part

• Politics, parties and society in Italy in the transition between different “republics”
• Elections, Electoral participation and voting choice
• The changing colours of the Italian political map
• New parties and new leaders
• 2011-2018: a new transition?
• The General election of 2022: indecision and volatility
• The General election of 2022: how many poles?
• The General election of 2022: protest, populism, anti-politics
• The General election of 2022: government formation and political (in)stability.

• Knowledge and understanding: at the end of the course students must have acquired the knowledge of the basic concepts and main theories of political science. Educational methods used to reach these goals: frontal lectures, audio-visual materials, seminars with scholars and experts, class discussion.
• Applying knowledge and understanding: the students must be able to identify and apply appropriately, to real research and analysis situations, the concepts, models and theories presented throughout the course. In particular, they must be able to apply the acquired knowledge to the analysis of the transformation of politics and, specifically, to the evolution of the Italian political system.  Educational methods used to reach these goals: frontal lectures, audio-visual materials, seminars with scholars and experts, class discussion; group exercises.
• Making judgements: the students will strengthen their ability to connect the concepts, theories and models presented throughout the course, their ability to deal with complex problems independently, to make judgements and critical reflections about political phenomena and their transformations. Educational methods used to reach these goals: frontal lectures, audio-visual materials, seminars with scholars and experts, class discussion.
• Communication skills: the students must be able to clearly and incisively communicate, appropriately using the lexicon, the concepts and the theories of political science. Educational methods used to reach these goals: the students will be asked to interact with the lecturer and with their colleagues, asking questions and actively participating to class discussion.
• Learning skills: the students are supposed to develop adequate learning skills, so as to be able to extend and independently deepen the knowledge acquired throughout the course, following new paths of theoretical reflection or research. Educational methods used to reach these goals: frontal lectures, audio-visual materials, seminars with scholars and experts, class discussion.

The teaching material prepared by the lecturer in addition to recommended textbooks (such as for instance slides, lecture notes, exercises, bibliography) and communications from the lecturer specific to the course can be found inside the Moodle platform › blended.uniurb.it

The teaching material prepared by the lecturer in addition to recommended textbooks (such as for instance slides, lecture notes, exercises, bibliography) and communications from the lecturer specific to the course can be found inside the Moodle platform › blended.uniurb.it

The lecturer will provide via the Moodle platform a selection of materials, and useful links in order to deepen the knowledge on the discussed topics. .

Seminars on the diverse topic of empirical research are scheduled.

Educational material and information provided by the lecturer will be available, together with an indication about other supporting activities, in the platform Moodle› blended.uniurb.it

Teaching

First (theoretical) part: frontal lectures, with slides show presentations and audio-visual materials; class discussion.

Second (monographic) part: frontal lectures, with slides show presentations and audio-visual materials; presentation and discussion of research results; group exercises. Seminars with scholars and experts, on the themes included in the program, will be organised during the course period.

Innovative teaching methods

Flipped classroom

Course books

First (theoretical) part:

• Capano, G., S. Piattoni, F. Raniolo, L. Verzichelli, Elementi di scienza politica, Il Mulino, Bologna 2021.

Second (monographic) part:

• F. Bordignon, L. Ceccarini, J. L. Newell (Eds), Cambio di rotta. L’Italia al voto del 2022, Fondazione Giangiacomo Feltrinelli, Milano, 2022 (e-book).

The parts of the handbook “Elementi di scienza politica” and the book “Cambio di rotta” attending students need to study will be specified during the course. Additional teaching material (research reports or articles taken from national and international scientific journal) could be made available by the lecturer during the course via the Moodle platform > blended.uniurb.it.  

Assessment

Students can choose between two different examination modes:

 1) the first, recommended in particular for attending students, involves a combined examination, structured as follows:

a. first intermediate written test with open questions (duration 60 minutes);

b. workshop during the course and submission of a short paper. The workshop, reserved for attending students, involves the analysis of a current political issue, on the basis of the concepts and tools introduced during the course, carried out in flipped classroom mode, followed by the submission, by the end of the course, of a short paper;

c. second intermediate written test with open questions (duration 60 minutes);

The final grade is given by the sum of the scores obtained in the different tests: first intermediate test (10); workshop/paper (5); second intermediate test (15). Students who pass only part of the tests can supplement their assessment with written tests according to the examination schedule. (by the academic year 2024/25).

Those who attend at least 75% of the lectures are considered as attending students;

2) the second path, recommended for non-attending students, is a written exam following the standard exams calendar. The written test, with a duration of 90 minutes, comprises answers to open questions.

For the written exam, the evaluation is based on:

- relevance of answers in relation to the contents of the course;

- articulation of answers;

- relevance of the language used.

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.

Course books

First (theoretical) part:

• Capano, G., S. Piattoni, F. Raniolo, L. Verzichelli, Elementi di scienza politica, Il Mulino, Bologna 2021.

Second (monographic) part:

• F. Bordignon, L. Ceccarini, J. L. Newell (Eds), Cambio di rotta. L’Italia al voto del 2022, Fondazione Giangiacomo Feltrinelli, Milano, 2022 (e-book).

Non-attending students are supposed to study all chapters of the two books. However, they are not supposed to study the additional teaching materials made available by the lecturer via the Moodle platform > blended.uniurb.it

Assessment

Written exam following the standard exams calendar. The written test, with a duration of 90 minutes, comprises answers to open questions.

For the written exam, the evaluation is based on:

- relevance of answers in relation to the contents of the course;

- articulation of answers;

- relevance of the language used.

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.

The student can request to sit the final exam in English with an alternative bibliography