Institutions and Political Behaviour
A.Y. 2024/2025
Learning objectives
Institutions and Political Behaviour aims at providing analytical and methodological skills for understanding the role of political elections and their functioning in democratic regimes. This is done in different ways. First, elections are studied as the main instrument through which the principle of representation is realized in contemporary democracies. Second, the characteristics of the "electoral supply" - in particular, the dynamics of competition among parties and among candidates - are analyzed. Third, the "demand" side is explored, with a specific focus on the traits of voters and on the different explanations of electoral behaviour.
The exam for attending students has two parts: a mid-term test and a final test (both tests are written). The tests aim to assess not only students' knowledge of the course contents, but also students' ability to use proper language and build arguments to discuss the course contents.
The exam for attending students has two parts: a mid-term test and a final test (both tests are written). The tests aim to assess not only students' knowledge of the course contents, but also students' ability to use proper language and build arguments to discuss the course contents.
Expected learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding: The course aims at enhancing students' knowledge and understanding of the main theories about political elections and their role in contemporary democracies.
Applying knowledge and understanding: The course aims at improving students' knowledge of the functioning of democracies and the main challenges that they currently face. The course will also improve students' awareness of how political outcomes are shaped by the interactions between institutions and individual preferences and behaviours.
Making judgements: The course aims at improving students' ability to analyze political phenomena, and in particular the outcomes of political elections. To this purpose, during the course students are made aware of major theories and relevant empirical data regarding the principles of democratic representation, party competition, and voting behaviour.
Communication skills: Students may be actively involved during the course. For instance, students may be asked to prepare presentations where they can enhance their own communication skills. Moreover, as an alternative to the written exam, students may be asked to prepare papers. These types of activities will be outlined at the beginning of the course.
Learning skills: To the purpose of improving students' autonomous learning skills, during the course the teacher can invite students to actively participate to the discussion in class.
Applying knowledge and understanding: The course aims at improving students' knowledge of the functioning of democracies and the main challenges that they currently face. The course will also improve students' awareness of how political outcomes are shaped by the interactions between institutions and individual preferences and behaviours.
Making judgements: The course aims at improving students' ability to analyze political phenomena, and in particular the outcomes of political elections. To this purpose, during the course students are made aware of major theories and relevant empirical data regarding the principles of democratic representation, party competition, and voting behaviour.
Communication skills: Students may be actively involved during the course. For instance, students may be asked to prepare presentations where they can enhance their own communication skills. Moreover, as an alternative to the written exam, students may be asked to prepare papers. These types of activities will be outlined at the beginning of the course.
Learning skills: To the purpose of improving students' autonomous learning skills, during the course the teacher can invite students to actively participate to the discussion in class.
Lesson period: Third trimester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Third trimester
Course syllabus
The course focuses on political elections, understood as the main instrument through which the principle of representation is realized in contemporary democracies. This topic is investigated both from a "supply-side" perspective (i.e. focusing on parties and candidates) and from a "demand-side" perspective (i.e. focusing on voters). In addition, the course analyzes the political and institutional characteristics of the context in which elections are held.
After introducing the key role of elections in contemporary representative democracies, the course is organized in two modules: one addressing a number of specific topics dealing with electoral mechanisms, party competition and voting behavior, and one devoted to the analysis of electoral competition in Italy.
In particular, the first module covers themes such as the dynamics of political competition among parties and among candidates, the different explanations of voting behavior, the policy dimensions structuring political competition, the nature of political representation, the impact of electoral systems on representation, populism, technocracy.
The second module offers an in-depth analysis of political competition in Italy during the last 25 years. This part of the course investigates changes occurred in the dynamics of party competition, which are explained by focusing on the evolution of the structure of the policy space - that is, the environment shaping party competition during and after elections.
Attendance is strongly recommended and will be regularly checked by the teacher.
Attending students are expected to be present at least for 70% of classes (that is, 14/20 classes).
Attending students will take a midterm exam and a final exam. Those who do not follow these rules will be considered as non attending students.
After introducing the key role of elections in contemporary representative democracies, the course is organized in two modules: one addressing a number of specific topics dealing with electoral mechanisms, party competition and voting behavior, and one devoted to the analysis of electoral competition in Italy.
In particular, the first module covers themes such as the dynamics of political competition among parties and among candidates, the different explanations of voting behavior, the policy dimensions structuring political competition, the nature of political representation, the impact of electoral systems on representation, populism, technocracy.
The second module offers an in-depth analysis of political competition in Italy during the last 25 years. This part of the course investigates changes occurred in the dynamics of party competition, which are explained by focusing on the evolution of the structure of the policy space - that is, the environment shaping party competition during and after elections.
Attendance is strongly recommended and will be regularly checked by the teacher.
Attending students are expected to be present at least for 70% of classes (that is, 14/20 classes).
Attending students will take a midterm exam and a final exam. Those who do not follow these rules will be considered as non attending students.
Prerequisites for admission
No prerequisites are required. To obtain further information about compulsory preparatory exams, students can look at the programme description of their Degree. Students can also ask the Degree's reference professors and contacts for information.
Teaching methods
The teacher will use slides and possibly other audiovisual materials. The teacher will suggest further readings to those interested in the topics addressed in class. Students can be asked to participate to activities (as single students or in small-groups) regarding specific topics and to discuss them in class.
Teaching Resources
ATTENDING STUDENTS:
- Giannetti D., Pedrazzani A. and Pinto L. (2022), "Lo spazio della politica: partiti e politiche da Berlusconi ai populisti", Bologna, Il Mulino.
- Further readings are indicated in the syllabus that will be circulated at the start of the course.
NON ATTENDING STUDENTS:
- Giannetti D., Pedrazzani A. and Pinto L. (2022), "Lo spazio della politica: partiti e politiche da Berlusconi ai populisti", Bologna, Il Mulino.
- Manin, B. (2017), "Principi del governo rappresentativo", Bologna, Il Mulino.
- Giannetti D., Pedrazzani A. and Pinto L. (2022), "Lo spazio della politica: partiti e politiche da Berlusconi ai populisti", Bologna, Il Mulino.
- Further readings are indicated in the syllabus that will be circulated at the start of the course.
NON ATTENDING STUDENTS:
- Giannetti D., Pedrazzani A. and Pinto L. (2022), "Lo spazio della politica: partiti e politiche da Berlusconi ai populisti", Bologna, Il Mulino.
- Manin, B. (2017), "Principi del governo rappresentativo", Bologna, Il Mulino.
Assessment methods and Criteria
ATTENDING STUDENTS:
The exam for attending students is written and includes both open answer questions and multiple choice questions. The course grade is based on a mid-term written exam and on a final written exam, as well as on the activities and presentations that students (as single students or in small groups) will be asked to do.
NON ATTENDING STUDENTS:
The exam for non attending students consists of a written test that includes both open answer questions and multiple choice questions.
The exam for attending students is written and includes both open answer questions and multiple choice questions. The course grade is based on a mid-term written exam and on a final written exam, as well as on the activities and presentations that students (as single students or in small groups) will be asked to do.
NON ATTENDING STUDENTS:
The exam for non attending students consists of a written test that includes both open answer questions and multiple choice questions.
SPS/11 - POLITICAL SOCIOLOGY - University credits: 6
Lessons: 40 hours
Professor:
Pedrazzani Andrea
Shifts:
Turno
Professor:
Pedrazzani AndreaProfessor(s)
Reception:
Please write me to request an appointment (Teams or Skype).
Conservatorio building, Floor 1, Room 1