Introduction to Political Science

Brief description

Students are familiarized with a wide range of political science topics:

  • The relationship between political ideas and political interests, and their impact on political decision-making (concept of power & legitimacy, Policy Cycle)
  • Theory of sovereign statehood (state vs. Nation building, citizenship)
  • Social Contract Theory and Constitutional Law
  • Populism, extremism and terrorism
  • Democratic governance vs. authoritarian and totalitarian regimes
  • Political systems approach (Input-Throughput-Output)
  • Theory of ideas (political paradigms, scope of state intervention)
  • Interest aggregation and articulation: political parties, interest groups and civil society
  • Philosophy of political science

Mode of delivery

Präsenzveranstaltung

Type

Pflichtfach

Recommended or required reading and other learning resources/tools

Heywood, Andrew (2013): Politics. 4th edition. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

Problem-based learning, blended learning, case-studies, written activities, peer feedbacks

Assessment methods and criteria

Continuous assessment: 30 points various home assignments & online quizzes, 70 points written final exam

Prerequisites and co-requisites

none

Infos

Degree programme

European Economy and Business Management (English)

Cycle

Bachelor

ECTS Credits

3.00

Language of instruction

English

Curriculum

Full-Time

Academic year

2024

Semester

1 WS

Incoming

No

Learning outcome

After successful completion of the course, students gain an extensive understanding about the fundamentals of Politics by:

  • Describing and explaining main theories, concepts and terms
  • Identifying the main aspects of political science problems
  • Applying theoretical models to simple analyse and interpret daily politics
  • Summarizing and interpreting scientific texts and,
identifying and evaluating findings & key statements
  • Elaborate own scientific arguments
  • Write scientific texts

Course code

1389-20-01-VZ-DE-09