BPV_ZAPO Introduction to Political Science

Faculty of Economics and Administration
Autumn 2024
Extent and Intensity
2/0/0. 4 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
In-person direct teaching
Teacher(s)
Mgr. Laura Fónadová, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
Mgr. Laura Fónadová, Ph.D.
Department of Public Economics – Faculty of Economics and Administration
Contact Person: Jana Biskupová
Supplier department: Department of Public Economics – Faculty of Economics and Administration
Timetable
Wed 10:00–11:50 S307, except Wed 18. 9., except Wed 6. 11.
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
The course is designed to help students extend their knowledge of social sciences by providing an introduction to the basic topics of political science. One of the main reasons for this is that there is a clear and explicit relationship between politics, as the subject of study of political science, and economic processes in modern societies. The main goal of the course is to demonstrate the thematic scope and explain the principal issues of political science. By the end of the course, students should be able:
to understand the fundamental political events, structures and developments taking place within modern Western societies;
to interpret the deeper ideological sources and justifications behind these events.
Learning outcomes
By the end of the course, students will be able to understand basic political phenomena, structures, and developments taking place within contemporary Western societies; and to interpret deeper ideological sources and justifications behind these events.
Syllabus
  • 1. Introduction to Political Science, theoretical approaches
  • 2. Politics - definition, other key concepts, empirical approaches in Political Science
  • 3. Political ideologies
  • 4. Democracy, political theory
  • 5. The political system, state as the basic political community, institutions and regimes
  • 6. Political process, policy-making
  • 7. Political actors I - political parties, party systems
  • 8. Elections and electoral systems
  • 9. Political actors II - interest groups and social movements
  • 10. Populism, media and politics in post-factual era
  • 11. Current challanges of democracy and politics
Literature
    required literature
  • CABADA, Ladislav and Michal KUBÁT. Úvod do studia politické vědy. Plzeň: Vydavatelství a nakladatelství Aleš Čeněk, s.r.o., 2007, 455 stran. ISBN 9788073800765. info
  • HEYWOOD, Andrew. Politics. 5th ed. Red Globe Press, London, 2019.
    recommended literature
  • HEYWOOD, Andrew. Politologie. Translated by Zdeněk Masopust. 3. vyd. Plzeň: Aleš Čeněk, 2008, 537 s. ISBN 9788073801151. info
  • BALÍK, Stanislav, Ondřej CÍSAŘ and Petr FIALA. Veřejné politiky v České republice v letech 1989-2009 (Public Policies in the Czech Republic 1989-2009). 1. vyd. Brno: Centrum pro studium demokracie a kultury, 2010, 695 pp. ISBN 978-80-7325-236-6. info
  • SARTORI, Giovanni. Srovnávací ústavní inženýrství : zkoumání struktur, podnětů a výsledků. Translated by Jana Ogrocká. 2. vyd. Praha: Sociologické nakladatelství, 2011, 238 s. ISBN 9788074190483. info
  • WEBER, Max. Autorita, etika a společnost : pohled sociologa do dějin. Translated by Jan J. Škoda. 1. české vyd. Praha: Mladá fronta, 1997, 294 s. ISBN 8020406115. info
Teaching methods
The course consists of a series of lectures on the given topics and focuses on the developing competence of the students to combine acquired knowledge in political science with knowledge of the economic realm. Continuous individual preparation of students from the required literature is expected. The course includes one writing assignment which is a prerequisite to successful completion.
In the case of study mobility (Erasmus+ etc.), students contact the course guarantor. In this case, we offer options: (1) to take a similar course at a foreign university, (2) to take it a year later.
Assessment methods
The course is concluded with a final written examination, consisting of both closed and open-ended questions. Students completing good writing assignments can get better final grades. Examination questions will be based on the content of the compulsory literature and lectures.
If a student enrolls in the course during studying abroad through exchange programs (such as Erasmus), they should contact the course garantor. In such case, the student has two options: (1) take a similar course at a foreign university or (2) take the course later, after returning from their study abroad program.
If a student is found to commit a prohibited act, such as using banned tools, cheating, or removing any part of the exam, the teacher is allowed to interrupt the exam and grade the student with F, FF or FFF, depending on the seriousness of the offence. The mentioned policy applies to all activities that are part of the final evaluation of the course, such as seminar work, essays, tests etc.).
Language of instruction
Czech
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
Study Materials
The course is taught annually.
Teacher's information
For additional information, see the update course syllabus, which is available in Study Materials within the Information system.
The course is also listed under the following terms Autumn 2009, Autumn 2010, Autumn 2011, Autumn 2012, Autumn 2013, Autumn 2014, Autumn 2015, Autumn 2016, Autumn 2017, Autumn 2018, Autumn 2019, Autumn 2020, Autumn 2021, Autumn 2022, Autumn 2023.
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