The course is divided in 3 parts. Part 1 focuses on comparative politics as a method for the control of causal relationships between variables. Part 2 examines, in a comparative perspective, the transformations undergone by the Italian and the Spanish political systems since their return to democracy. Part 3 examines the Italian 2022 political elections and the Spanish 2023 elections, whose electoral campaign will be followed closely by students' workshops.
This information is not complete. Complete information on the textbooks will be published on Moodle in February 2024
9 CFU
-A. Bosco le quattro crisi della Spagna, Bologna, il Mulino 2018
6 CFU
-A. Bosco le quattro crisi della Spagna, Bologna, il Mulino 2018
Learning Objectives
Provide the analytical tools necessary to understand, through comparison, the processes of transformation of European democracies.
Prerequisites
Having attended a class of Political Science will make easier to follow this class.
Daily reading of national and/or international press.
Ability to read publications in foreign languages
Teaching Methods
Lectures; group research activities. Power point presentations made by students.
Type of Assessment
Final written examination with open-answer questions
(to be completed within one hour)
There is no mid-term exam
Course program
The first part of the course focuses on comparative politics as a scientific research method for the control of causal relationships between variables. We'll examine what are scientific concepts and how we can build and use 'good' concepts; classifications and typologies; variables and relations between variables; scientific methods; different comparative designs.
The second part of the course focuses on the study of the Spanish case in a comparative perspective. We'll take into account the economic and institutional contexts of the country, as well as the territorial organizations of the state, the relationship with Europe and the transformations of the party systems.
More information on Moodle at the beginning of the second semester