92592 - POLITICAL BEHAVIOR IN WESTERN DEMOCRACIES

Conoscenze e abilità da conseguire

The aim of this course it to be able to apply the theoretical and conceptual knowledge to understanding and resolving some key contemporary issues in the behavior of citizens in advanced democracies. At the end of the course, students will be able to provide original answers to questions like: Why do people vote for this party, or that party, or at all? How do people make sense of politics? What is the link between citizens’ actions and beliefs and the democratic vitality of political systems? How is it possible to measure the quality of democracy?

Contenuti

In this course, we will familiarize ourselves with the main theoretical and empirical issues involved in the behavioral approaches to the study of politics. Each week, we will evaluate the main theories and models used to account for citizens’ attitudes and behaviors. We will as well draw on empirical evidence in the literature to explore the validity of these theories. Further, we identify and explain how such attitudes and behavior affect the quality of democracy.

The course introduces students to the core issues in the field of political behavior. The course begins by considering some of the basic theoretical issues involved in studying political behavior and then moves to consider explanations for the most prominent issues within the field of comparative political behavior: political attitudes, voting patterns, and political participation. The coursewill also cover wider issues around political behavior, notably the nature of public opinion and political representation. By the end of the course, students will better understand how we study, model, and understand political behavior and attitudes.

The aim of this course it to be able to apply the theoretical and conceptual knowledge to understanding and resolving some key contemporary issues in the behavior of citizens in advanced democracies.

Testi/Bibliografia

The full list of readings for students who regularly attend classes will be circulated on the first day of class and posted on the class website on “Insegnamenti Online” at iol.unibo.it.

Students who do not regularly attend classes should make themselves (very) familiar with…

Dalton, Russell. 2018. Citizen Politics: Public Opinion and Political Parties in Advanced Industrial Democracies. CQ Press, 7th ed.

Metodi didattici

As of December 2020, the module will be taught as in Model Y. Model Y is 28 hours online for everyone + 16 hours online-only seminar + 16 hours face-to-face seminar (so after 28 hours students are divided into two groups). Formal lectures by the instructor will be followed by guided discussions and exercises seminars to provide student opportunities to assess the topics and themes introduced in the readings and lectures.

Modalità di verifica e valutazione dell'apprendimento

The final exam will require students to assess core concepts from the course as well as apply topics covered in the course to current challenges (1.5 hours, 3 questions; for students who do not attend class regularly (2 hours, 4 questions).

Strumenti a supporto della didattica

The slides of the lectures will be provided.

Orario di ricevimento

Consulta il sito web di Paul Matthew Loveless