BPV_ZAPO Introduction to Political Science

Faculty of Economics and Administration
Autumn 2023
Extent and Intensity
2/0/0. 4 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
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 P303, except Wed 20. 9., except Wed 8. 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 to extend their knowledge of social sciences by providing introduction to basic topics of political science. One of the main reasons is that there is a clear and explicit mutual 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 thematical scope and explain principal issues of political science. At the end of the course students should be able
to understand fundamental political events, structures and developments taking place within modern western societies;
to interpret their deeper ideological sources and justifications.
Learning outcomes
At the end of the course students should be able to understand basic political phenomenons, structures and developments taking place within modern western societies; and to interpret their deeper ideological sources and justifications.
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. Media and politics
  • 11. Society and politics in the post-factual era
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 questions. Students completing good writing assignment can get better final grade. Examination questions will be based on the content of the compulsory literature and the lectures as well.
If students commit a prohibited act, such as using various forbidden tools, cribbing, taking out any part of the exam or any other cheating, the teacher is allowed to interrupt an exam and to grade a student with F, FF or FFF according to the seriousness of the offence. The mentioned procedure relates to all the activities that are included in the final evaluation of the course (seminar work, essays, tests etc.).
Language of instruction
Czech
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
Study Materials
The course is taught annually.
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 2024.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Autumn 2023, recent)
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