POL508 Political behaviour

Faculty of Social Studies
Spring 2015
Extent and Intensity
1/1. 6 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
doc. PhDr. Lukáš Linek, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Ing. Mgr. et Mgr. Michal Nový, Ph.D. (lecturer)
doc. Mgr. Peter Spáč, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Mgr. Miloš Gregor, Ph.D. (assistant)
Guaranteed by
prof. PhDr. Stanislav Balík, Ph.D.
Division of Politology – Department of Political Science – Faculty of Social Studies
Contact Person: Mgr. Lucie Pospíšilová
Supplier department: Division of Politology – Department of Political Science – Faculty of Social Studies
Timetable
Fri 6. 3. 9:45–15:00 U41, Fri 27. 3. 9:45–15:00 U41, Fri 24. 4. 9:45–15:00 U41, Fri 15. 5. 9:45–15:00 U41
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
At the end of the course the students are able to critically evaluate various theories of political behavior. Specifically, students are able to critically discuss the course literature, compare individual theoretical approaches to the description and explanations of political behavior on the basis of the first part of the course. Drawing on this knowledge, students are able to formulate adequate research questions and specific hypotheses which are relevant in the study of political behavior.
Syllabus
  • 1)Political participation and political behavior, their relationship to democratic theory
  • 2)Models of political participation
  • 3)Non-electoral political participation
  • 4)Turnout I. - Aggregate level explanations
  • 5)Turnout II. - Individual level explanations
  • 6)Turnout III. – Turnout decline and its consequences
  • 7)Party choice I. – Structural models
  • 8)Party choice II. – Issue voting, economic voting
  • 9)Party choice III. - Valence politics, theory of electoral change
  • 10) Visit in Prague, discussion of seminar papers
  • 11) Visit in Prague, discussion of seminar papers
  • 12) Visit in Prague, discussion of seminar papers
  • 13) Course wrap-up
Literature
  • Citizenship and involvement in European democracies : a comparative analysis. Edited by Jan van Deth - José Ramón Montero Gibert - Anders Westholm. New York: Routledge, 2007, xxiv, 476. ISBN 9780415412315. info
  • EVANS, Jocelyn. Voters & voting : an introduction. London: Sage Publications, 2004, xiii, 219. ISBN 9780761949107. info
  • BLAIS, André. To vote or not to vote? : the merits and limits of rational choice theory. Pittsburgh: University of Pittsburgh Press, 2000, viii, 200. ISBN 0822957345. info
  • VERBA, Sidney, Kay Lehman SCHLOZMAN and Henry E. BRADY. Voice and equality : civic voluntarism in american politics. Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1995, xix, 640 s. ISBN 0-674-94292-2. info
Teaching methods
lecture, seminars, seminar discussion
Assessment methods
Short position papers: Students have to submit three position papers that will discuss the literature for the respective seminar.
Final paper: Students have to submit final paper which will discuss theories explaining particular form/type of political participation.
Language of instruction
Czech
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
The course is taught annually.
The course is also listed under the following terms Spring 2010, Spring 2011, Spring 2012, Spring 2013, Spring 2014.
  • Enrolment Statistics (recent)
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