Year 2009-10

  

Introduction to Political Science (21282)

  

Qualification: Degree in Political and Administration Sciences

Year: 1st

Term: 1st

Number of ECTS credits: 6 credits

Hours of student dedication: 150 hours

Teaching language: Catalan

Course teachers: Ferran Requejo (theory), Marc Sanjaume and Daniel Torres (seminars)

 

1. Introduction to the course

 

Political science I is a first approach to political power, the state and democracy.  The course is structured into three units. The first introduces the concept of political power and the different types of analysis in political science.  The second centres on the state, its evolution and its organisational forms.  The third part focuses on the different dimensions of current liberal democracies and the main problems in political theory at the turn of the 21^st century.

 

2. Competencies to be achieved

 

Generic Competencies:

 

- Ability to analyse and synthesise

- Ethical commitment

- Will to succeed

 

Specific competencies:

 

- Identify the main theories and approaches in political and administration sciences.  Know the concepts, theoretical frameworks and approaches that underlie scientific knowledge.

- Recognise the structure and functioning of political systems. Understand the different elements that make up political systems and the environment they interact in. 

- Recognise the structure and functioning of political institutions. Understand the organisation and the role of political institutions.

  

3. Contents

 

- Introduction to the different types of analysis in political science: description, explanation and prescription.

- Introduction to the concepts of political power, the state and democracy.

- Distinction between historical, quantitative and qualitative information.

 

 

4. Assessment

 

The course combines continuous evaluation and final assessment.

 

Continuous assessment:

  

•-          Individual: student performance, writing of articles, creativity and active academic participation, compulsory reading.

 

•-          In group: oral presentations and collective work.

 

Final assessment: Individual. A test on students' conceptual, methodological and historical knowledge.

  

 

5. Readings and resources

  

5.1. Basic bibliography

  

AXTMANN, R. Liberal Democracy into the Twenty-first Century: Globalization,

Integration and the Nation State. Manchester: Manchester University Press, 1996.

BELLAMY, R. Theories and Concepts of Politics. Manchester: Manchester University

Press, 1993.

CAMINAL, M. (coord.). Manual de ciencia política. Madrid: Tecnos, 1996.

CASTIÑEIRA, A. (dir.). El liberalisme i els seus crítics. Barcelona: Temes

Contemporanis, 1996.

DAHL, R. La democracia y sus críticos. Madrid: Paidós, 1992.

ELAZAR, D. J. Exploring Federalism. Tuscoloosa: University of Alabama Press, 1987.

HELD, D. Modelos de democracia. Madrid: Alianza, 1992.

KEATING, M. Naciones contra el estado. Barcelona: Ariel, 1996.

MACPHERSON, C. B. La democracia liberal y su época. Madrid: Alianza, 1987.

REQUEJO, F. Las democracias: democracia antigua, democracia liberal y estado de

bienestar. Barcelona: Ariel, 1994.

REQUEJO, F. (coord.). Democracia y pluralismo nacional. Barcelona: Ariel, 2002.

SARTORI, G. Elementos de teoría política. Madrid: Alianza, 1992.

  

6. Methodology

 

- Classroom based activities: development of the main concepts by way of interactive lectures. Oral presentations using PowerPoint.

 

- Activities outside the classroom:  preparation of articles, essays and presentations. In groups and individually.  Presentations of compulsory readings.

 

- Optional activities: short articles that combine a question, reasoning and argumentation, supporting empirical evidence and the use of sources.

 

7. Programme of activities

  

Week 1: Theory: Social organisation and relationships of power. Seminar: student presentation of the reading "DE WAAL, Frans (2007) El mono que llevamos dentro". Debate and topic summary.

 

Week 2: Theory: Political power. Legality and legitimacy. The political functions of judicial norms. Seminar: student presentation of the reading "WEBER, Max (1919) El politico y el cientifico". Debate and topic summary.

 

Week 3: Theory: Analysis in political science. Description, explanation and prescription. Seminar: student presentation of "Tilly, C. (1992) Ciudades y estados en la historia universal". Debate and topic summary.

 

Week 4: Theory: formation and historic evolution of contemporary states. Seminar: student presentation of "BERLIN, I. La libertad" and "CONSTANT, B. De la libertad de los antiguos comparada con la de los modernos". Debate and topic summary.

 

Week 5: Theory: the democratic, social and liberal state and the rule of law.  Organizational principals and forms of government. Seminar: student presentation of "REQUEJO, F. La acomodacion federal de al plurinacionalidad. Democracia liberal y federalismo plural en espana". Debate and topic summary.

 

Week 6: Theory: federal, regional and centralised states. Nationalisms. Seminar: student presentation of "REQUEJO, F and GONZALO, E (2009) Desigualtats en democracia: les teories de la justicia socioeconomica al segle XXI". Debate and topic summary.

 

Week 7: Theory: the tensions between the liberal, democratic and capitalist dimensions. Rights, representation, participation and markets.  Seminar: student presentation of "MARAVALL, JM (1994) Sobre la desigualdad: un analysis socialdemocrata". Debate and topic summary.

 

Week 8: Theory: political and democratic liberalism: liberty, equality and pluralism. Seminar: student presentation of "PETTIT, P (1999) Antes de la libertad negative y la libertad positive". Debate and topic summary.

 

Week 9: Theory: the welfare state. Main stages and actors. Seminar: student presentation of "KYMLICKA, W (1996) Estados multinacionales y estados polietnicos". Debate and topic summary.

 

Week 10: Theory: Cultural pluralism and globalisation