PMCb1129 Elections and Electoral Behavior

Faculty of Social Studies
Autumn 2024
Extent and Intensity
1/1/0. 5 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
Mgr. Jakub Jusko (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
doc. Mgr. et Mgr. Vlastimil Havlík, Ph.D.
Department of Political Science – Faculty of Social Studies
Contact Person: doc. Mgr. et Mgr. Vlastimil Havlík, Ph.D.
Supplier department: Department of Political Science – Faculty of Social Studies
Timetable
Thu 14:00–15:40 P21b
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives (in Czech)
The course aims to focus on topics related to turnout and vote choice in elections, emphasising selected seemingly unrelated factors, controversial, or more or less problematic aspects. The topics covered include why people vote and who abstains, why they choose certain political parties, and how they decide before elections. The specific focus is stressed on seemingly unrelated topics, such as the weather, the mental state of voters, or the alphabet.
Learning outcomes (in Czech)
Upon completion of the course, the student will be able to: - describe the different aspects of elections; - discuss the problematic elements associated with elections; - compare and evaluate proposed solutions in the field of elections.
Syllabus (in Czech)
  • 1. Who votes? Determinants of turnout – Part I
  • 2. Who is undecided, and who abstains? Determinants of turnout – Part II
  • 3. Should we blame the rain? Weather and elections
  • 4. Other forms of political participation – referenda, protests, petitions
  • 5. Introduction to the vote choice – ideologies, party identification, class
  • 6. Reading week (Preparation of case studies)
  • 7. Voting in a multi-level electoral setting
  • 8. Discussion seminar
  • 9. Natural disasters, sports matches and shark attacks – seemingly unrelated factors influencing voting
  • 10. The role of a context – alphabet, heuristics, and cues
  • 11. The role of campaigns – media, opinion polls, and strategic voting
Teaching methods (in Czech)
Teaching takes the form of lectures and seminars.
Assessment methods (in Czech)
During the course, students will prepare one position paper on a given topic (max. 10 points), present a case study (max. 10 points) and pass a final written exam (max. 30 points). At least 30 points are required.
Language of instruction
English
Further Comments
Study Materials
The course is taught annually.
  • Enrolment Statistics (recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/fss/autumn2024/PMCb1129