Political science

In line with the Dublin Descriptors, students will be able to:
Knowledge and understanding: know the main analytical categories and perspectives of political science, with particular reference to political regimes, forms of government, political parties, electoral systems, political participation, public opinion, public administration and decision-making processes in contemporary political systems.
Applying knowledge and understanding: apply analytical categories and tools to the comparative interpretation of the principal European political systems and of the structures and processes of the Italian political system, analysing political actors, governance models and institutional dynamics.
Making judgements: develop critical skills in analysing and assessing political and institutional phenomena, interpreting the processes of transformation of contemporary societies, the relationships between the State, institutions and collective actors, and the dynamics of political participation.
Communication skills: use the specialised vocabulary of political science to communicate clear and well-argued analyses of political systems, decision-making processes and political behaviour, producing scientifically sound contributions.
Learning skills: develop the ability to explore the main topics of political science and the analysis of contemporary political systems independently, making effective use of scientific sources, data and research tools. use the specialised vocabulary of political science to communicate clear and well-argued analyses of political systems, decision-making processes and political behaviour, producing scientifically sound contributions.
Learning skills: develop the ability to explore the main topics of political science and the analysis of contemporary political systems independently, making effective use of scientific sources, data and research tools.

Non-attending students will take a single final oral examination covering both parts of the syllabus.
Attending students, on the other hand, may opt for an alternative format by taking the mid-term tests corresponding to the general part of the syllabus (Understanding politics. The identity and mission of political science. The evolution of the political community. The actors of contemporary politics. The circuits of contemporary politics) and to the special part (The institutions of contemporary politics. Politics in action: decision-making processes and public policies. Citizens' politics: territories, "governance", rights. Politics in the 21st century), as set out in the course content section of the syllabus.
To pass the examination, students must demonstrate that they are able to describe or summarise the concepts and methods of Public Administration and public policy analysis using appropriate terminology, as well as to interpret and apply them to real-world cases, with particular reference to the various case studies examined during the course.

In detail:
Fail: Lack of the minimum required knowledge of the main course content. No or poor ability to communicate using discipline-specific language and to apply theories, concepts and tools to the real-world cases analysed, with particular reference to the various fields of analysis considered.
Grade 18-20: Limited knowledge of the main course content. Barely sufficient ability to communicate using discipline-specific language, to apply theories, concepts and tools, and to illustrate the real-world cases analysed.
Grade 21-23: More than sufficient knowledge of several areas of the course content. Fair ability to communicate using discipline-specific language and to apply theories, concepts and tools to the real-world cases analysed.
Grade 24-26: Good knowledge of the course content. Sound ability to communicate using discipline-specific language and to apply theories, concepts and tools to the real-world cases analysed.
Grade 27-29: Advanced knowledge of the course content. Command of the discipline's terminology and very good ability to apply theories, concepts and tools to the real-world cases analysed.
Grade 30-30 cum laude: In-depth knowledge of the course content. Full command of the discipline's terminology and excellent ability to apply theories, concepts and tools to the real-world cases analysed. Marked ability to reflect critically on the different theoretical and methodological approaches and to interpret the phenomena under study independently and originally.

• "Politics": a term in search of meanings
• Political science: the identity of a discipline
• Theoretical and methodological tools of contemporary political science
• Politics as a system
• Democratisation and democratic regimes
• Autocratisation and non-democratic regimes
• Social movements and interest groups
• Parties: what they are and what they do
• The processes of democratic representation
• Elections, electoral systems and citizens' choices
• Politics in action
• The centrality of territory in politics
• The global challenges of contemporary politics
• Anti-politics and populism