POL508 Political behaviour

Faculty of Social Studies
Spring 2013
Extent and Intensity
1/1. 9 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
Ing. Mgr. et Mgr. Michal Nový, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Mgr. Kateřina Vráblíková, 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. Iva Petříková
Supplier department: Division of Politology – Department of Political Science – Faculty of Social Studies
Timetable
Fri 8. 3. 10:00–17:30 U41, Fri 12. 4. 10:00–17:30 U41, Fri 3. 5. 10:00–13:30 PC25, Fri 17. 5. 10:00–13:30 PC25
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 and use this knowledge for the data analysis. 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. On the basis of the second part of the course students will be able to practically employ research methods of political behavior and will have skills for data analysis.
Syllabus
  • 1)Introduction
  • 2)Political behavior and theory of democracy – democratic theory from the perspective of political behavior
  • 3)Political participation – definition and typologies of political participation
  • 4)Social capital – various conceptualizations, causes and consequences
  • 5)Micro and meso explanation of political participation – socio-economic status, political attitudes and social networks
  • 6)Voter turnout – macro explanatory models, institutions and context, influence of voter turnout on election results
  • 7)Voting decision – structural models (cleavages theory and class voting), socio-psychological Michigan model
  • 8)Voting decision – issue voting, leaders, theory of national elections and second order elections
  • 9)Political activism in political parties – model of general incentives
  • 10) Lecture on statistical data analysis – introduction
  • 11) Statistical lab training
  • 12) Statistical lab training
  • 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
  • ADAMS, James, Samuel MERRILL and Bernard GROFMAN. A unified theory of party competition : a cross-national analysis integrating spatial and behavioral factors. New York: Cambridge University Press, 2005, xviii, 311. ISBN 0521544939. info
  • PUTNAM, Robert D. Bowling alone : the collapse and revival of American community. 1. touchstone ed. New York: Simon & Schuster, 2001, 541 s. ISBN 0-684-83283-6. info
  • BLAIS, André. To vote or not to vote? : the merits and limits of rational choice theory. Pittsburgh, Pa.: 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
  • CAMPBELL, Angus. The American voter. New York: Wiley, 1960, vii, 573. info
Teaching methods
lecture, seminars, seminar discussion, statistical lab training
Assessment methods
Short position papers: Students have to submit six position papers that will discuss the literature for the respective seminar. The paper should be one page long, single-spaced (ap. 500 words).
Participation in two statistical lab trainings: Students have to take part at two practical seminars on statistical data analysis
Practical exercises: Students have to write two practical exercises that draw on the two statistical lab trainings. Students will rely on theoretical knowledge gained in the theoretical part of the course.
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 2014, Spring 2015.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Spring 2013, recent)
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