Comparative Political Systems (I)

geography
psychology

obligatory courses

The Course is designed to provide students with through understanding of contemporary political systems, relations between political institutions and political processes, as well as the ideas and issues that have shaped contemporary politics.

At the end of the course, students will be able to:

• have a thorough understanding of the different types of political systems in the world;

• have a thorough understanding of the system of government and the political process in political systems;

• acquire a good grasp of the key political/historical and institutional developments in post WWII Europe and Poland;

• become familiar with current issues/debates in contemporary politics in the European and non-European countries.

The aim of the course is to define the basic concepts of constitutional law, to present the theory of the constitution, to explain the main characteristics of different models of political systems; to explain the concepts of contemporary political systems, as well as its problems and political mechanisms functioning in a modern states; the idea of a republic or a monarchy, types of constitutions, types and ideas of political parties and party systems, electoral law, a government and prime minister, the types and position in a political system of the parliament, relations between branches of power and political institutions, territorial structure of state, political culture and political participation. Throughout the course, comparisons with political systems in different countries will be made as a point of reference to provide the student with a framework for understanding organization of a state and society.

Classroom

The Course is designed to provide students with through understanding of contemporary political systems and political processes, as well as the ideas and issues that have shaped contemporary politics. The aim of the course is to define the basic concepts of constitutional law, to present the theory of the constitution, to explain the main characteristics of different models of political systems; to explain the concepts of contemporary political systems, as well as its problems and political mechanisms functioning in modern states; the idea of a republic or a monarchy, types of c institutions, types and ideas of political parties and party systems, electoral law, a government and prime minister, the types and position in a political system of the parliament, relations between branches of power and political institutions, territorial structure of the state, political culture.

The Course is designed to provide students with through understanding of contemporary political systems and political processes, as well as the ideas and issues that have shaped contemporary politics. The aim of the course is to define the basic concepts of constitutional law, to present the theory of the constitution, to explain the main characteristics of different models of political systems; to explain the concepts of contemporary political systems, as well as its problems and political mechanisms functioning in a modern states; the idea of a republic or a monarchy, types of constitutions, types and ideas of political parties and party systems, electoral law, a government and prime minister, the types and position in a political system of the parliament, relations between branches of power and political institutions, territorial structure of state, political culture. Throughout the course, comparisons with political systems in different countries will be made as a point of reference to provide the student with a framework for understanding organization of a state and society.

- Carles Boix, Susan C. Stokes, (2009), The Oxford Handbook of Comparative Politics, Oxford University Press.

- Tim Bale (2017), European Politics. A comparative Introduction, 4th edn, London: Palgrave, Macmillan.

- other books referred to each subject of the classes within the frames of the course.

- Articles from the top journals referring to the comparative political systems.

Upon the completion of the course, the student will know the principles of functioning of the political system of the state and its elements in the Polish, European and global dimension(K_W06). Moreover, he or she will also learn the essence of democracy, civil society and political culture from historical and contemporary perspective (K_W07). He or she will know the mechanisms of political action, governance and political decision-making, as well as processes of communication in political space (K_W09). The student will acquire the ability to recognise the causes and course and forecast phenomena concerning the political sphere. He or she will be able to research and explain the role of social, economic and cultural structures in the contemporary world (K_U01). Moreover, he/she will be able to indicate and explain the principles and values of a democratic state, he/she will be able to assess the achievements. in this respect, as well as threats to democratic systems (K_U02).Student will be able to use basic theoretical approaches and apply research methods and techniques in order to diagnose and analyse, compare political systems in the world (K_U03). The student will acquire the ability to indicate the assumptions of various political concepts and evaluate their effectiveness, and will be able to indicate how historical, economic, social and cultural processes in various parts of the world influenced the formation of political systems. (K_U04). The course will also provide students with preparation for active participation in public life, also in teams pursuing social and political goals. The student will learn to act in an entrepreneurial manner(K_K01). Moreover, they will also learn to observe and critically evaluate political phenomena of various nature and notice their mutual relations and dependencies (K_K03).

Class sessions will include lectures, presentations and discussions. Students are required to actively participate and contribute to these disputes and discussions. Activity assessment during the classes. The required weekly reading will be presented by students in a seminar fashion. At the end of the course (Semester) students are required to pass the final written exam.

None.