EVSb1007 European Political Systems

Faculty of Social Studies
Autumn 2019
Extent and Intensity
1/1/0. 8 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
prof. PhDr. Vít Hloušek, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Mgr. Ivan Bielik (seminar tutor)
Mgr. et Mgr. Lucie Budirská (seminar tutor)
Mgr. et Mgr. Michal Skulínek (seminar tutor)
Guaranteed by
prof. PhDr. Vít Hloušek, 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
Wed 14:00–15:40 exP21
  • Timetable of Seminar Groups:
EVSb1007/01: Wed 14:00–15:40 exP21, V. Hloušek
EVSb1007/02: Wed 14:00–15:40 U42, M. Skulínek
EVSb1007/03: Wed 18:00–19:40 U42, I. Bielik
Prerequisites (in Czech)
! EVS102 European Political Systems && !NOW( EVS102 European Political Systems )
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
there are 23 fields of study the course is directly associated with, display
Course objectives
The aim of the course Comparison of 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.
Learning outcomes
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, political parties, and partz systems
  • 4. Multilevel Governance and Europeanisation
  • 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, Russell J. DALTON, G. Bingham POWELL and Kaare STRØM. European politics today. Fourth edition. New York: Longman, 2010, xvii, 469. ISBN 9780205723898. info
  • HLOUŠEK, Vít and Lubomír KOPEČEK. Demokracie : Teorie, modely, osobnosti, podmínky, nepřátelé a perspektivy demokracie. 2nd ed. Brno: Masarykova univerzita, 2007, 380 pp. ISBN 978-80-210-4249-0. info
  • STRMISKA, Maxmilián. Politické strany moderní Evropy : analýza stranicko-politických systémů. Vyd. 1. Praha: Portál, 2005, 727 s. ISBN 8073670380. URL info
  • ŘÍCHOVÁ, Blanka. Úvod do současné politologie : [srovnávací analýza demokratických politických systémů]. Vyd. 1. Praha: Portál, 2002, 207 s. ISBN 8071786284. info
  • ŘÍCHOVÁ, Blanka. Přehled moderních politologických teorií. Vyd. 1. Praha: Portál, 2000, 303 s. ISBN 80-7178-461-3. info
  • STRMISKA, Maxmilián and Petr FIALA. Teorie politických stran. Brno: Barrister & Principal, 1998, 263 s. ISBN 80-85947-31-5. info
  • Political institutions in Europe. Edited by Josep M. Colomer. 1st ed. New York: Routledge, 1996, ix, 288. ISBN 0415108209. 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 (49 points), position papers (21 points), attendance (8 points) and individual class presentation (22 points). To successfully complete the course, students have to achieve at least 60 points.
Language of instruction
Czech
Further Comments
Study Materials
The course is taught annually.
Listed among pre-requisites of other courses
The course is also listed under the following terms Autumn 2020, Autumn 2021, Autumn 2022, Autumn 2023, Autumn 2024.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Autumn 2019, recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/fss/autumn2019/EVSb1007