EVS102 European Political Systems

Faculty of Social Studies
Autumn 2016
Extent and Intensity
1/1/0. 8 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
prof. PhDr. Vít Hloušek, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Mgr. et Mgr. Lucie Budirská (seminar tutor)
Mgr. Pavel Dvořák, Ph.D. (seminar tutor)
Mgr. Pavlína Janebová (seminar tutor)
Guaranteed by
doc. PhDr. Markéta Pitrová, Ph.D.
Department of International Relations and European Studies – Faculty of Social Studies
Contact Person: Olga Cídlová, DiS.
Supplier department: Department of International Relations and European Studies – Faculty of Social Studies
Timetable of Seminar Groups
EVS102/01: Wed 15:15–16:45 P51 Posluchárna V. Čermáka, V. Hloušek
EVS102/02: Wed 15:15–16:45 U42, P. Dvořák
EVS102/03: Wed 17:00–18:30 U42, P. Janebová
EVS102/04: Wed 17:00–18:30 P22, L. Budirská
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is only offered to the students of the study fields the course is directly associated with.
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
The aim of the course EVS102 European Political Systems is to familiarise students with the concept of system in Political Science and to emphasize theoretical division of politics (policy, polity , politics) and systemic connections between institutions, processes and outcomes. The course is also focused on classification and typologies of modern democratic systems and their distinctive systemic attributes (especially modifications in terms of legislative and executive bodies). Attention will be also paid to the subject of political parties, party systems and effects of electoral systems. At the end of the course, student will be able to describe basic notions in the field of comparative politics. Student will be able to list basic political institutions and political parties of selected member countries of the EU and to explain their functions. Student will be basically able to compare political and party systems of European countries.
Syllabus
  • 1.Comparative method and the concept of system in Political Science
  • 2. Typologies of democratic political systems
  • 3. Organized interests, interest groups and political parties
  • 4. Party systems and electoral systems
  • 5. The United Kingdom
  • 6. Germany
  • 7. Italy, Spain and Portugal
  • 8. France
  • 9. Austria, Switzerland and the Principality of Liechtenstein
  • 10. The Benelux
  • 11. Scandinavia
  • 12. Central European countries
  • 13. Exam.
Literature
  • ALMOND, Gabriel Abraham. European politics today. 3rd ed. New York: Longman, 2006, xii, 516. ISBN 0321236521. info
  • STRMISKA, Maxmilián, Vít HLOUŠEK, Lubomír KOPEČEK and Roman CHYTILEK. Politické strany moderní Evropy. Analýza stranicko-politických systémů (Political Parties in Modern Europe: Analysis of Party Systems). 1st ed. Praha: Portál, 2005, 727 pp. Politologie. ISBN 80-7367-038-0. info
  • HLOUŠEK, Vít and Lubomír KOPEČEK. Demokracie. Teorie, modely, osobnosti, podmínky, nepřátelé a perspektivy demokracie (Democracy. Theories, Models, Individualities, Conditions, Enemies and Perspectives of Democracy). 1st ed. Brno: Mezinárodní politologický ústav Masarykovy univerzity, 2003, 379 pp. Sborníky, svazek č.16. ISBN 80-210-3195-6. info
  • Political institutions in Europe. Edited by Josep M. Colomer. 2nd ed. New York: Routledge, 2002, xi, 313. ISBN 0415267919. info
  • ŘÍCHOVÁ, Blanka. Úvod do současné politologie :[srovnávací analýza demokratických politických systémů]. Vyd. 1. Praha: Portál, 2002, 207 s. ISBN 80-7178-628-4. info
  • ŘÍCHOVÁ, Blanka. Přehled moderních politologických teorií. Vyd. 1. Praha: Portál, 2000, 303 s. ISBN 80-7178-461-3. info
  • FIALA, Petr and Maxmilián STRMISKA. Teorie politických stran (Theory of Political Parties). Brno: Barrister&Principal, 1998, 260 pp. Monografie, 1. ISBN 80-85947-31-5. info
Teaching methods
The course combines lectures and seminars. In the frame of seminar sessions, students make oral presentations at given topics. The class discussion follows. Students prepare position papers on assigned readings before seminar sessions aimed at active mastering of importnant information.
Assessment methods
The course is completed by a written exam composed from "open" questions focusing on basic notions and comparison of political institutions, parties, and party systems. The total evaluation includes the written examination (70 points), position papers (16 points), attendance (8 points) and individual class presentation (6 points). To successfully complete the course, students have to achieve at least 60 points.
Language of instruction
Czech
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
The course is taught annually.
Listed among pre-requisites of other courses
The course is also listed under the following terms Autumn 2004, Autumn 2005, Autumn 2006, Autumn 2007, Autumn 2008, Autumn 2009, Autumn 2010, Autumn 2011, Autumn 2012, Autumn 2013, Autumn 2014, Autumn 2015, Autumn 2017, Autumn 2018, Autumn 2019, Autumn 2020, Autumn 2021.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Autumn 2016, recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/fss/autumn2016/EVS102