PMCb1001 Introduction to Politics

Faculty of Social Studies
Autumn 2023
Extent and Intensity
2/0/0. 6 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
doc. Mgr. et Mgr. Vlastimil Havlík, Ph.D. (lecturer)
doc. Marek Rybář, M.A., Ph.D. (lecturer)
Mgr. Deretha Bester, BA (seminar tutor)
Guaranteed by
doc. Mgr. et Mgr. Vlastimil Havlík, Ph.D.
Department of Political Science – Faculty of Social Studies
Timetable
Wed 10:00–11:40 U35
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 this course is to answer a basic question: What is politics? In searching to do so it analyses changes in understanding this term and brings up concepts crucial for the study of comparative politics in general and the relationship of politics and media in particular: state, society, political power, division of power, institutions, representation, political system, political parties and democracy. Also, the course introduces the basic methodological approaches in social sciences, defines the terms on the edge between political science and other social science disciplines (participation, socialization, political culture). In sum, the course provides students with basic terminology used in political science and, at the same time, crucial for understanding the complex relationship between the media and politics.
Learning outcomes
After completing the course, a student will be able to define and describe important concepts used in comparative politics and the study of politics and the media. A student will also get familiar with basic assumptions and terminology of research in social sciences.
Syllabus
  • 1. Politics and political power
  • 2. State
  • 3. Democracy
  • 4. Political ideologies
  • 5. Non-democratic regimes
  • 6. Sociology of politics
  • 7. Reading week
  • 8. Approaches in social sciences
  • 9. Political institutions – types of regimes
  • 10. Political institutions – political parties
  • 11. Political institutions – the European Union
  • 12. Civil society
  • 13. Final exam
Literature
    required literature
  • Garner, R., Lawson, S., & Ferdinand, P. (2016). Introduction to politics. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
  • Heywood, A. (2019). Politics. Red Globe Press.
  • McCormick, J. (2017). Understanding the European Union: a concise introduction. Palgrave.
  • Zuckerman, A. S. (2019). Doing political science: An introduction to political analysis. Abington: Routledge.
    not specified
  • Campus, D., & Pasquino, G. (2009). Masters of political science. Colchester: ECPR Press.
Teaching methods
Lectures, class discussion, short papers for class discussions.
Assessment methods
Five multiple choice quizzes given at the beginning of every second class (each for 5 points). Five position papers (each for 5 points, up to two pages discussing selected topics), a final test with 5 questions (each for 10 points). 60 points out of 100 needed to pass.
Language of instruction
English
Further Comments
Study Materials
The course is taught annually.
The course is also listed under the following terms Autumn 2022, Autumn 2024.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Autumn 2023, recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/fss/autumn2023/PMCb1001