2021/2022

Major Concepts in Political Science

Category 'Best Course for Broadening Horizons and Diversity of Knowledge and Skills'

Type: Optional course (faculty)

Delivered by: Department of Political Science and International Affairs

Where: Saint-Petersburg School of Social Sciences

When: 3, 4 module

Open to: students of one campus

Instructors: András Gál

Language: English

ECTS credits: 3

Contact hours: 40

Course Syllabus

Abstract

The course provides an introduction to the major concepts and approaches in political science, from analytical, normative, and empirical angles. The course consists of four main parts. First, the major approaches and fundamental concepts in the realm of politics (institutions, democracy, justice and equality, etc.) are scrutinized, on analytical as well as normative levels. Second, the ‘classical’ actor-centric notions in political science are surveyed, like federalism, political parties, legislatives, etc. Finally, the interaction between political science and other social sciences, namely sociology and economics are addressed. Through the course, major theories linked to these topics are critically investigated, together with case studies illustrating their applications and limitations.

Learning Objectives

• The main goal is provide a firm command of major fundamental concepts in political science and related subdisciplines such as political sociology or political economy

Expected Learning Outcomes

• becomes capable of assessing various theories concerning their aims, explanatory value, and coherence by the exposure to normative, analytical, and empirical approaches, students
• develops an interdisciplinary mindset
• Develops critical thinking skills through historical surveys on the development of various concepts
• develops the analytical and argumentative skills through the writing assignments

Course Contents

• A brief history of political science: major theories and approaches
• The three institutionalisms
• Approaches in political theory: analytical vs historical
• Justice and equality
• Political obligation and authority
• Democracy and self-governance
• Defining democracy
• Analyzing democracy
• Separation-of-powers
• Federalism
• Electoral and party systems
• Legislatives
• Executives
• Politics and public administrations
• Political culture
• Voting behavior
• Social movements and contentious politics
• Fundamental concepts in political economy
• Varieties of capitalism
• Welfare state models

Assessment Elements

• Position paper
  The position paper shall be a problem-based, argumentative text demonstrating the student’s capacity to identify academically relevant problems, finding avenues to tackle it, and communicating her/his arguments in a persuasive, transparent, and succinct manner. The position paper should also demonstrate the student’s firm understanding on the differences between epistemic and methodological traditions. The position paper’s extent shall not exceed 1,000 words, including foot/endnotes, excluding the bibliography.
• Reaction paper 1
  The reaction papers should demonstrate the student’s ability to critically engage with the core arguments of the mandatory readings, and to formulate her position related to a given question in a transparent and persuasive manner. The extent of the reaction papers shall not exceed 600 words, including foot/endnotes, excluding the bibliography.
• Reaction paper 2
  The reaction papers should demonstrate the student’s ability to critically engage with the core arguments of the mandatory readings, and to formulate her position related to a given question in a transparent and persuasive manner. The extent of the reaction papers shall not exceed 600 words, including foot/endnotes, excluding the bibliography.
• Presentation
  The presentation should introduce the mandatory readings in a succinct, yet polemic way. Beyond introducing the key points of the given text, the student is also expected to prepare 3-5 questions for the audience, paving the way to a broader discussion. The length of the presentation shall not exceed 15 minutes.
• Class participation
  In the class participation component, the following qualities can result in a maximal grade: • frequency and concision of class participations • originality of class contribution • connection between preparation materials and class contributions • contribution to class discussion dynamics • participation in maintaining an inspiring class environment

Interim Assessment

• 2021/2022 4th module
  0.35 * Position paper + 0.15 * Reaction paper 1 + 0.15 * Reaction paper 2 + 0.2 * Class participation + 0.15 * Presentation

Bibliography

Recommended Core Bibliography

• Ramos, C. (2011). The Oxford Handbook of Political Science. Antropológicas, 12, 87. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=asn&AN=87654451
• The Oxford handbook of political behavior / ed. by Russell J. Dalton . (2007). Oxford [u.a.]: Oxford Univ. Press. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edswao&AN=edswao.253058147
• The Oxford handbook of political institutions / ed. by R. A. W. Rhodes . (2006). Oxford [u.a.]: Oxford Univ. Press. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edswao&AN=edswao.250962667

Recommended Additional Bibliography

• Esping-Andersen, G. (2013). The Three Worlds of Welfare Capitalism. [Place of publication not identified]: Polity. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=1101509
• Lijphart, A. (DE-588)122454499, (DE-627)081953631, (DE-576)161993060, aut. (1999). Patterns of democracy government forms and performance in thirty-six countries Arend Lijphart.
• The Oxford handbook of political theory / ed. by John S. Dryzek . (2006). Oxford [u.a.]: Oxford Univ. Press. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edswao&AN=edswao.121392570