Curricular Unit:			Code:
Introduction to Political Science			1142ICPL
Year:	Level:	Course:	Credits:
1	Undergraduate	Political Science and International Relations	6 ects
Learning Period:		Language of Instruction:	Total Hours:
Winter Semester		Portuguese/English	78
Learning Outcomes of the Curricular Unit:
The course is aimed at introducing the students to the theoretical and methodological scope of Political Science. For that purpose a preliminary approach to theories and methods is presented. The main fields of Political Science are then studied, namely: formal political institutions (State and other); the relations between forma political institutions and society, notably in the framework of contemporary democracies; political ideas and their articulation with main ideologies and party systems. The students are expected to acknowledge the theoretical, ethical and applied dimensions of political studies and political practice. The students are expected to develop instrumental skills of analysis and synthesis; specific knowledge of the scientific field; oral and written communication skills; information management skills (ability to search and analyze information from various sources); interpersonal skills; criticism and self-criticism abilities; basic skills of autonomous research.
Syllabus:
Unit I: Political Science: theoretical and methodological frameworks 1. The field: sub-disciplines and areas of research in Political Science 2. Main theoretical frameworks and their methodological implications 3. Political science as academic and professional field Unit II: Political institutions 4. The role of the ‘Modern State’ 5. Multi-level governance: infra-national, national, supranational and global levels 6. Political regimes and political systems of government: the Constitutional structure of the State 7. From politics to policies: the field of public policy 8. The choice of representatives and electoral systems Unit III: ‘State-society’ relations 9. Civil society and political participation 10. Ideologies and political parties 11. Party systems: origin, evolution and typologies 12. Interest groups, social movements and the new modes of political participation
Demonstration of the Syllabus Coherence with the Curricular Unit's Objectives:
Unit I: The presentation of preliminary information on the theoretical and methodological field of political science is aimed at introducing the students to this academic field; it is also a first experience in the use of instrumental learning academic skills. Unit II: The study of formal political institutions and the introduction to conceptual tools of the analysis of institutionalized political power aims at initiating the students to the nuclear concepts of the discipline, with relation to formal institutions and the state. Analytical and critical skills on the topics presented are also stimulated. Unit III: State-society relations are addressed, particularly in the framework of democracies. The students are introduced to the study of party systems, civil society and political participation. The students are thus introduced to the main conceptual tools in these fields. Analytical and critical skills on the topics presented are also stimulated.
Teaching Methodologies (Including Evaluation):
The classes are organised as lectures followed by joint analysis and discussion of written and other learning materials. Students work is guided into progressive autonomy in the collection and organisation of information and its reflexive assessment. Students are expected to become acquainted with academic practice and to be able to interact with colleagues and the teacher. To the end of the semester the students are expected to be able to write small research essays and to discuss them in class. Assessment is continuous, based on: two written tests (50% + 30%); one written report with oral presentation in class (group work) (20%).
Demonstration of the Coherence between the Teaching Methodologies and the Learning Outcomes:
The Political Science unit is based on lectures on basic structuring concepts of the discipline, followed by discussions in class and with a follow up of tutorial sessions (analysis and discussion of materials, problem solving questions) The methodology adopted aims at fostering the students' interest and involvement with the topic. Joint debates aim at stimulating the academic skills required for university work and progression.
Reading:
1 Fernandes, A.J. (2015). Introdução à Ciência Política. Teorias, Métodos e Temáticas. 3ª ed. Porto: Porto Ed. 2 Ferreira, A.R e Rosas, J.C. (2016). Ideologias Políticas Contemporâneas. Coimbra: Almedina 3 Garner, R., Ferdinand, P. e Lawson, S. (2016). Introduction to Politics. OUP 4 Halperin, S. e Heath, O. (2020). Political Research. Methods and Practical Skills. 3ª ed. Oxford: OUP 5 Heywood, A. (2021). Political Ideologies: An Introduction. 7ª ed. Palgrave/Macmillan 6 Norris, P. (2011). Democratic Deficit: Critical Citizens Revisited. New York: CUP 7 Stock, M.J. et al. (2012). Velhos e novos actores políticos. Partidos e movimentos sociais. Lisboa: U. Aberta 8 Teixeira, C.P. (2017). O Sistema Politico Português. Uma perspetiva comparada. Cascais: Principia
Lecturer (* Responsible):
Claudia Ramos (cramos@ufp.edu.pt)