Political Science

Teacher(s)

Klimis Emmanuel;

Language

English

Learning outcomes

At the end of this learning unit, the student is able to :

This course is an introductory course in political science which aims to present and familiarize students with the basic notions of political science, linking them to the essential references of the discipline. Moreover, a gendered perspective will be offered on the different notions that will be developed during the course.

Content

Part 1. General Introduction and Foundational Concepts
1.1. Introductory Session: What is Political Science?
1.2. Power, Domination and Legitimacy
1.3. A Portrait of the State

Part 2. Political Regimes
2.1. Authoritarian and Totalitarian Regimes
2.2. Democracy

Part 3. Political Actors
3.1. Political Parties: Genealogy and Organisation
3.2. Citizens: Political Socialisation and Political Participation
3.3. Electoral Behaviours
3.4. Social Movements: Resources, Repertoires and Mobilisation

Part 4. Policy Analysis
4.1. Public Policies: Definition and Analysis

Teaching methods

Lectures
Core activity: students will be expected to read two book chapters or two articles that will be communicated at the beginning of the year, in class and on Moodle. The chapters and/or articles will be made available on Moodle.
All Powerpoint documents for the course are available on Moodle. At the end of each session, these documents summarise the main points covered as well as possible open questions related to the session.
A methodological session on reading and analysing political science texts and assistance with exam preparation will be organised during the  term. Examples of corrected questions will be available on the course Moodle page.
Visits are organised with the course assistant every fortnight (appointment on Moodle).
There will also be a mock examination session during the term.

Evaluation methods

The course will be assessed by a written final exam, which will count for 100% of the total mark.The final exam will last 2 hours and will consist of 3 parts:
- A multiple-choice questionnaire (10 points - no negative points)
- An open question related to the course content (5 points)
- An open question related to the readings (5 points).

During the exam, no documents are allowed, including dictionaries (allowed only for exchange students).
As this is an English-language course, the only language accepted for the final exam will also be English.
The use of artificial intelligence will not be permitted for the final assessment.
he assessment of the course will consist in a final written exam, which will count for 100% of the total grade.
The final exam will last 2 hours, and it will consist of 3 parts:
- A Multiple-Choice Questionnaire (12 points – no negative points)
- An open question related to the content of the course (4 points)
- An open question related to the chapter of the book by Inglehart and Norris (4 points)
For the two open questions, students are expected to write a structured, elaborated and well-reasoned answer (i.e. no bullet points, etc.).
During the table exam, no documents are allowed, including dictionaries.
The structure of the exam will be identical in case of online exam (one question per page, randomly drawn questions, sequential navigation).

Bibliography

(available at the library, Ommegang building)

- BROWN, Garrett W., McLEAN, Iain, McMILLAN, Alistair (2018), The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Politics and International Relations, Oxford University Press > available at the library
- GARNER, Robert, FERDINAND, Peter, LAWSON, Stephanie (2016), Introduction to Politics, Oxford, Oxford University Press > available at the library
- HAGUE, Rod, HARROP, Martin, McCORMICK, John (2019), Political Science. A Comparative Introduction, Basingstoke, Palgrave MacMillan

Faculty or entity

ESPB