ELTE TÁTK-GTK

2024 őszi szemeszter

Introduction to Political Science

Thursday 16:15 - 17:45

 

Bertalan Bordás, assistant lecturer

email: bordas.bertalan@tatk.elte.hu

Original syllabus by Prof. Frank Zsigó Thomas

The description and aims of the course

Don’t be turned off by the word “politics”! Our ability to solve our common problems lies in our capacity for politics. Politics is omnipresent in our everyday life and enables us the reallocation of goods. In this course we will learn about the processes, ideas, institutions and skills that make for able and aware citizens and capable democratic polities. We will challenge each other to think critically and knowledgeably about politics and to become engaged participants in democratic life.

In this course you will be introduced to the systematic study of politics, i.e., political science. We will guide you through the basic terms and dilemmas of the discipline and introduce to you the fundamental areas of inquiry that have long fascinated political scientists. While we don’t expect many of you to become professional politicians (very few of whom have backgrounds in political science), we aim in this course to offer you varying perspectives, to expand your world view, to develop your analytical and critical thinking. Furthermore, to improve your skills in understanding other points of view, and, perhaps most importantly, to be positive contributors to political life.

Learning

In order for you to get the most out of this course, we request that you spend time each day following the news, both domestic (your country) and international. Not only is this a requirement for informed debate on the key issues of our time, but it will make it possible for us to use current and relevant examples to illustrate the (sometimes rather difficult) theory we will be studying. Choose a reliable source of news on any medium of your choice, whether that be television, radio or the internet. If you are concerned about bias in the media (perhaps you should be), follow media from opposing sides of the political spectrum.

We have assigned readings for each topic listed below in our schedule.  We highly recommend you complete the reading before each lecture.  Take notes: Make a list of the key concepts. Underline the concepts you understand least and look them up. Skim over the readings again. This kind of regular preparation will help you get the most out of the lectures and will save you time at the end of the semester, as you will not have to cram before your exam.

During the semester we will post quizzes on Moodle at the start of each classes. These are not mandatory, but are designed to allow you to measure your progress in the course. We can discuss the results of these optional tests during office hours. 

You can consult with the lecturer on your understanding of the materials in office hours. We are here to help, so look us up occasionally. 

Please make sure you have access to the Moodle system, as the course readings are available there.

Please note that the lecturers’ slides will not be made available to you.

Requirements

Your grade in the course will be based on the results of the exams written during the exam period. The exams will be a combination of multiple choice and essay questions. It will be based on the lectures and readings throughout the semester. Please consult ELTE guidelines for the administrative details of the exam period.

-      Students need to take two written exams, which consist of 90% of the offered grades. (24 October, 9 December)

-      10% of the offered grades come from the Moodle quizzes

-      Students may accept or refuse offered grades and proceed to take a written test in the exam period.

 

Schedule

September 12

1.   Introductory class: The discovery of political science, and the nature of political knowledge.

Suggested reading: Roskin et al, Chapter 1

September 19

2. The key concepts and terminology of political science. Power. Interest. State. Government.  Individual. Society.

Reading: Roskin et al, Chapters 1,3

September 26 (Frank T. Zsigo)

3.    Social interaction in politics: interest groups, social movements and parties (in history),

Roskin et al, Chapters 9, 10

 

October 3

4.    Political ideologies

Read: Roskin et al, Chapter 2

 

October 10

5. Political institutions: the branches of government, constitutional history

Roskin et al, Chapters 12-14

 

October 17

6. Representation and elections

Roskin et al, Chapter 6

 

October 24

7. Directions in political thought: nationalism and populism,

Mudde, “The Populist Zeitgest” (Moodle)

Anderson, Imagined Communities, Chapters 1, 3 (Moodle)

 

November 7

8. Politics, media and political communication, media theories

Roskin et al, Chapter 8

 

November 14

9. Directions in political thought: nationalism and populism,

Mudde, “The Populist Zeitgest” (Moodle)

Anderson, Imagined Communities, Chapters 1, 3 (Moodle)

November 21

10. Political socialization and political culture

Roskin et al, Chapter 11

 

 

Extra classes and summaries: Democracy and dictatorship, political crises and cleavages

Roskin et al, Chapters 16-17

Roskin et al, Chapter 5

 

Required literature

see course schedule, above

Roskin, Michael, Robert L. Cord, James A. Medeiros, and Walter S.  Jones: Political science: an introduction. Boston: Longman, 2016. 

Mudde, C. (2004). The Populist Zeitgeist. Government and Opposition, 39(4), 541-563. doi:10.1111/j.1477-7053.2004.00135.x

Anderson, B. R. O. 1. (2006). Imagined communities: reflections on the origin and spread of nationalism. Rev. ed. London; New York: Verso.

Recommended readings

texts likely to be mentioned in class 

" DAHL, Robert Alan: On Democracy. Yale University Press, New  Haven, 1998.

" Dunn, John. Democracy: the unfinished journey, 508 BC to AD 1993.  Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1992. 

" GOODIN, R. E. – KLINGEMANN, H-D.: The New Handbook of Political  Science. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1998. 

" HAMILTON, Alexander – JAY, John – MADISON, James: The  Federalist. Belknap Press of Harvard University Press, 2009. (or any  other edition) 

" HOBSBAWM, Eric J.: The Age of Extremes: A History of the World,  1914-1991. New York: Pantheon, Vintage Books, 1994.  " MACHIAVELLI, Niccolò, and David WOOTTON: The prince.  Indianapolis: Hackett Pub. Co., 1995. 

" NOLTE, Ernst: Three faces of fascism. London: Weidenfeld &  Nicolson, 1965. 

" SARTORI, Giovanni: Democratic theory. Westport, Conn: Greenwood  Press, 1976. 

" ETHRIDGE, Marcus E, and Howard HANDELMAN. Politics in a  Changing World: A Comparative Introduction to Political Science.  Australia: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning, 2013.