Political and Administrative Systems
A.Y. 2022/2023
Learning objectives
The course aims to provide students with the basic knowledge and conceptual tools necessary to understand the functioning of political and administrative systems. In the first part, the foundations of each political system will be presented by analyzing some concepts and key words of political theory and political science; in the second part, some classical themes of political science will be proposed by analyzing the main institutions of representative democracy and of public policies implementation; the third part deals with the comparative analysis of the public administrations in contemporary democracies and with their relationship with the political class (considering the problems of function, structure and administrative processes) and with the analysis of the general features of the administrative reform that - during the last twenty years - affected the main countries with democratic tradition, with particular reference to Italy.
Expected learning outcomes
At the end of the course the student will be able to apply the knowledge related to the functioning of contemporary democracies and he/she will use this knowledge to critically frame the current political facts and phenomena, even when these facts have not been directly addressed during the lectures.
Lesson period: First trimester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
First trimester
Course syllabus
The course outline is structured in three main units:
Unit 1 focuses on the main concepts and keywords of political science; what political science is; research methods used in political science; the state; types of democracies; political participation and collective action.
Unit 2 is divided in two parts (2a and 2b):
The part 2a refers to political institutions and representations and focuses on interest groups; political parties and party systems; elections, electoral behaviour and electoral systems.
The part 2b refers to political institutions and policy-making and focuses on parliaments and governments; public policies and policy-making; the European Union; the welfare state.
Unit 3 is divided in two parts (3a and 3b):
The part 3a refers to public administration and focuses on the role of public administration in contemporary democracies; main functions, organization and structure of public administration; reforms in public administration; Italian public administration.
The part 3b analyses the relation between politics and bureaucracy and ethics in public administration.
Possible changes for attendant students will be given by the teachers at the beginning of the course. Materials used during classes are part of the syllabus of attendant students.
For students who takes the exam only on one unit (3 cfu), the program is the following:
Main concepts of political science; what political science is; political parties and party systems; elections, electoral behaviour and electoral systems; parliaments and governments; public policies and policy-making.
The role of public administration; main functions, organization and structure of public administration; relation between politics and public administration.
Unit 1 focuses on the main concepts and keywords of political science; what political science is; research methods used in political science; the state; types of democracies; political participation and collective action.
Unit 2 is divided in two parts (2a and 2b):
The part 2a refers to political institutions and representations and focuses on interest groups; political parties and party systems; elections, electoral behaviour and electoral systems.
The part 2b refers to political institutions and policy-making and focuses on parliaments and governments; public policies and policy-making; the European Union; the welfare state.
Unit 3 is divided in two parts (3a and 3b):
The part 3a refers to public administration and focuses on the role of public administration in contemporary democracies; main functions, organization and structure of public administration; reforms in public administration; Italian public administration.
The part 3b analyses the relation between politics and bureaucracy and ethics in public administration.
Possible changes for attendant students will be given by the teachers at the beginning of the course. Materials used during classes are part of the syllabus of attendant students.
For students who takes the exam only on one unit (3 cfu), the program is the following:
Main concepts of political science; what political science is; political parties and party systems; elections, electoral behaviour and electoral systems; parliaments and governments; public policies and policy-making.
The role of public administration; main functions, organization and structure of public administration; relation between politics and public administration.
Prerequisites for admission
No prerequisites for admission are required
Teaching methods
Lectures in class and possible group exercises
Teaching Resources
D. CARAMANI (Edt.), Scienza politica, Egea Bocconi, Milano 2021 (III edition), Introduction (I.1, I.2, I.3.1, I.3.4, I.4.1) + lecture note on methodology and chapters 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, lecture note on form of governments (in substitution of chapter 11), 12, 13, "Welfare state".
- lecture notes on methodology and forms of government are available on the course's Ariel webpage.
- The chapter on welfare state is available online on the editor website (Egea).
G. CAPANO, E. GUALMINI (Edt.), Le pubbliche amministrazioni in Italia, Il Mulino, Bologna 2011(II edition): chapters: II, III, V, VI, VII;
N. PASINI, Lo spoils system fa male alla democrazia? Giappichelli Editore, Torino 2014 (II edition) chapters: I, II and Appendix 1.
For students who takes the exam only on one unit (3 cfu), the program is the following:
D. CARAMANI (Edt.), Scienza politica, Egea Bocconi, Milano 2021 (III edition); Introduction + chapters: 6-7-8-9-10-11.
N. PASINI, Lo spoils system fa male alla democrazia?, Giappichelli Editore, Torino, 2014 (II edition); chapter 1
- lecture notes on methodology and forms of government are available on the course's Ariel webpage.
- The chapter on welfare state is available online on the editor website (Egea).
G. CAPANO, E. GUALMINI (Edt.), Le pubbliche amministrazioni in Italia, Il Mulino, Bologna 2011(II edition): chapters: II, III, V, VI, VII;
N. PASINI, Lo spoils system fa male alla democrazia? Giappichelli Editore, Torino 2014 (II edition) chapters: I, II and Appendix 1.
For students who takes the exam only on one unit (3 cfu), the program is the following:
D. CARAMANI (Edt.), Scienza politica, Egea Bocconi, Milano 2021 (III edition); Introduction + chapters: 6-7-8-9-10-11.
N. PASINI, Lo spoils system fa male alla democrazia?, Giappichelli Editore, Torino, 2014 (II edition); chapter 1
Assessment methods and Criteria
Written examination including:
- multiple choice questions
- simple exercises and open or semi-open questions
For attending students two written examinations could be taken: the first after the conclusions of units 1 and 2 and the second at the end of the course on unit 3.
Both examinations would include multiple choice, semi-open and open questions.
Attending students might also be involved in exercises during classes or at home to be completed individually or in group. These exercises will contribute to the final mark, even in substitution of written exams.
The final grade is on a scale of 30 and is given by the weighted mean of the marks obtained over the two main parts of the programme. The mark on modules 1 and 2 weights for two thirds, while the mark on module 3 weights for one third of the final mark.
- multiple choice questions
- simple exercises and open or semi-open questions
For attending students two written examinations could be taken: the first after the conclusions of units 1 and 2 and the second at the end of the course on unit 3.
Both examinations would include multiple choice, semi-open and open questions.
Attending students might also be involved in exercises during classes or at home to be completed individually or in group. These exercises will contribute to the final mark, even in substitution of written exams.
The final grade is on a scale of 30 and is given by the weighted mean of the marks obtained over the two main parts of the programme. The mark on modules 1 and 2 weights for two thirds, while the mark on module 3 weights for one third of the final mark.
SPS/04 - POLITICAL SCIENCE - University credits: 9
Lessons: 60 hours
Professors:
Pasini Nicola, Pellegata Alessandro
Educational website(s)
Professor(s)
Reception:
Wednesday 2.30-5.30 pm: send to me e-mail
Room 313, III° floor: before send to me e-mail