Teaching code

4S010544

Teacher

Massimo Prearo

Coordinator

Massimo Prearo

Credits

9

Language

Italian

Scientific Disciplinary Sector (SSD)

SPS/04 - POLITICAL SCIENCE

Period

Sem. 1A, Sem. 1B

Courses Single

Authorized

Lessons timetable Moodle Seminars 0

Learning objectives

Students will know and understand:
- the fundamental principles, concepts, models, and theories of political science;
- the contemporary debates related to the socio-political transformations taking place in the globalized world;
- the contribution of political science literature to the theme of international strategy and security;
- emerging issues related to the governance of risk and vulnerability.
Students will be able to apply the acquired knowledge to contemporary political and strategic processes and phenomena.
Written and oral examination of the texts indicated in the syllabus and of the provided material.

Prerequisites and basic notions

No prerequisits

Program

What is political science? What does it mean to study politics scientifically? What are the theories, methods and objects of political science? What is the contribution of political science to the understanding of politics and international relations? How do strategic and security studies fit into this disciplinary field?
The course introduces the fundamental elements of political science with a particular focus on international dynamics and crises that have determined and determine contemporary political scenarios: from the fall of the Berlin Wall to the collapse of the party system of the so-called "First Republic"; from the transformations introduced by globalization to the international consequences of local crises, from the consolidation of the digitalization of the world to new forms of participation and political contestation.
The study of the central themes of the discipline such as the State, democracy, systems of government, administration and bureaucracy, parties, representation, political participation, electoral systems, public policies, etc., will be conducted with an approach that is both theoretical and empirical.
For this course, no distinction is made between attending and non-attending students.
In general, participation in lessons, while not mandatory, is strongly recommended for a more organic, progressive and immersive learning experience.

Required readings

To achieve the learning objectives and adequately prepare for the final exam, students are required to study the following materials:
- the reference textbook, covering the core disciplinary and technical foundations;
- one complementary volume, to be chosen from the two indicated.

Bibliography

Didactic methods

The course includes an alternation of lectures, applied lessons and moments of active learning.
Registration on the course Moodle page is mandatory.
Additional materials to accompany the study (video lessons, Slides, etc.) will be made available on the course Moodle page.

Learning assessment procedures

The learning assessment includes a single final oral exam. The oral exam includes:
1. the presentation of a topic chosen from a list of approximately 60 questions lasting approximately 5 minutes;
2. the random extraction of a question from the same list of approximately 60 questions;
3. the analytical verification of the chosen complementary text.

Evaluation criteria

The oral exam is designed to verify:
- accurate knowledge of the fundamental concepts, notions and technical vocabulary of the discipline;
- the ability to use these tools in an argumentative way, applying them in a coherent and pertinent way to theoretical or empirical questions;
- critical and reflective competence, or the ability to develop autonomous and well-structured analyses, even beyond the mere reproduction of content.
The evaluation will take into account not only the correctness of the answers, but also the ability to construct coherent reasoning, use appropriate disciplinary language and demonstrate a solid and articulated understanding of the study materials.
A fragmented or approximate preparation, based exclusively on summaries, unofficial notes or secondary resources not provided by the teacher, may significantly compromise the outcome of the test.

Criteria for the composition of the final grade

The final grade is expressed in thirtieths and is assigned starting from an evaluation rubric in which the expected skills and competences are made explicit, available on the Moodle page of the course. Honors are awarded in cases where knowledge and skills are demonstrated to be more than excellent, impeccable and excellent during the exam.

Exam language

Italiano o inglese (unicamente per studenti Erasmus che ne facessero esplicita richiesta all'inizio del corso).

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