EVSb2021 France and Italy: Comparative History and Politics

Faculty of Social Studies
Autumn 2020
Extent and Intensity
1/1/0. 4 credit(s). Type of Completion: z (credit).
Teacher(s)
prof. PhDr. Vít Hloušek, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
prof. PhDr. Vít Hloušek, Ph.D.
Department of International Relations and European Studies – Faculty of Social Studies
Supplier department: Department of International Relations and European Studies – Faculty of Social Studies
Timetable
Mon 12:00–13:40 P24
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is only offered to the students of the study fields the course is directly associated with.

The capacity limit for the course is 20 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 0/20, only registered: 0/20
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
there are 27 fields of study the course is directly associated with, display
Course objectives
The course introduces into the contemporary history and politics of two European countries: Italy and France. The course is based on comparative historical and political analysis of basic institutions, political actors and “high” policies, especially the policies of these powers vis-à-vis the European integration. The focus of the course on political history and contemporary politics is contextualised with elements of geopolitics, economy and societal development and structure necessary to understand politically relevant issues and processes.
Learning outcomes
At the end of the course, a student will understand the historical development of the recent Italian and French political systems; to analyse the most important political institutions, actors and processes; to deliver presentation in English; to work actively with secondary sources on contemporary history and politics.
Syllabus
  • 1) Intro
  • 2) Geopolitical and historical settings
  • 3) France and Italy after 1945
  • 4) France and Italy in the neoliberal era
  • 5) Comparison of political systems
  • 6) Comparison of party systems
  • 7) Current French and Italian societies
  • 8) Current French politics
  • 9) Current Italian politics
  • 10) Interplay of foreign and domestic politics in Italy and France
  • 11) France and Italy as the players in the EU politics
Literature
    required literature
  • COLE, Alistair. French politics and society. Third edition. London: Routledge, Taylor and Francis Group, 2017, xvii, 324. ISBN 9781138941410. info
  • LEONARDI, Robert. Government and politics of Italy. First published. London: Macmillan education, Palgrave, 2017, xvi, 247. ISBN 9780333415825. info
  • COTTA, Maurizio and Luca VERZICHELLI. Political institutions in Italy. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2007, xx, 277. ISBN 9780199284702. info
  • ELGIE, Robert. Political institutions in contemporary France. 1st pub. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2003, xii, 274. ISBN 0198782667. info
Teaching methods
The course consists from 12 sessions. Besides the introductory session and the final test, the sessions are divided into lecture and seminar. Seminars are based on individual presentations of the students and the following discussion. For the reasons of seminars being the integral part of the course, the course is limited to 20 students and it is primarily offered to EVS and IREP students.
Assessment methods
Attendance of 70 per cent is required. The evaluation is based on attendance (10 per cent), individual presentation (40 per cent) and the final exam (50 per cent). To pass the course, a student has to achieve at least 7 points for attendance and at least 60 points in sum.
Language of instruction
English
Further Comments
Study Materials
The course is taught annually.
The course is also listed under the following terms Autumn 2019, Autumn 2021, Autumn 2024.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Autumn 2020, recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/fss/autumn2020/EVSb2021