Checking date: 05/05/2025 15:00:09


Course: 2025/2026

Political behaviour
(17682)
Bachelor in History and Politics (Study Plan 2018) (Plan: 394 - Estudio: 352)


Coordinating teacher: GARCIA ALBACETE, GEMA MARIA

Department assigned to the subject: Social Sciences Department

Type: Basic Core
ECTS Credits: 6.0 ECTS

Course:
Semester:

Branch of knowledge: Social Sciences and Law



Requirements (Subjects that are assumed to be known)
None
Objectives
Be able to analyze social and political phenomena following the scientific method, using a critical aproach, and recognizing the plurality of theoretical-methodological perspectives of the fields and subdisciplines linked to Political Science. Acknowledging the complexity of the political game and the variety of actors and factors that affect the political process. Analyze the behavior of political actors, processes of political participation and the role of citizens in contemporary democracies. Recognize the components of electoral systems and interpret the way in which the electoral processes develop. Understand and compare the different paradigms that studied electoral behavior in their specific historical context. The course consists of two parts: lectures, where the main theoretical contents will be taught, and practical sessions, with a seminar format, for which the active participation of students is essential. All the students must read the compulsory texts to attend both the lectures and the seminars. During seminars, each week few students will present on a specific topic. For this, a discussion of the assigned readings should be prepared referring always to concrete examples and concrete application of the readings. Students should learn how to transfer the knowledge and skills acquired to face practical problems in the different areas in which professional opportunities are specified. Being able to communicate, defend, and refute arguments on the most relevant issues in Political Science, both orally and in writing.
Learning Outcomes
K1: Identify the key historical processes of history, from Antiquity to globalization, recognizing their political and social implications K2: To know the historical evolution of political institutions, from Antiquity to the present day, identifying their impact on government systems K3: Explain the main techniques of historical research, pointing out the importance of critical analysis of primary and secondary sources and recognize the main political and philosophical theories from Plato to contemporary debates on democracy, justice and power K4: Classify the different political systems and governance structures at the global level, comparing their similarities and differences K5: Describe the actors, institutions, and processes that shape international relations, explaining their influence on the global landscape K6: To compare historical economic systems, relating them to their socio-political context from Antiquity to the present day S1: Build solid historical and political arguments from a rigorous documentary base S2: Apply logical and creative thinking in solving complex historiographical and political problems S3: Experiment with research methodologies, simulating historical or political situations relevant to their analysis S4: Simulate geopolitical scenarios and international conflicts, demonstrating understanding of their implications S5: Demonstrate academic writing skills by crafting essays and articles based on original research S8: Creating innovative approaches to address historical and political problems S9: Observe historical and political phenomena with a critical and contextual perspective C1: Have critical and analytical skills evaluating historical sources and political texts to interpret their relevance in real contexts C2: Solve complex problems by adapting historical and political knowledge to propose effective solutions in contemporary situations C3: Actively participate in interdisciplinary projects to analyze historical and political phenomena from multiple perspectives
Description of contents: programme
1. The role of citizens and political participation in contemporary democracies 2. Methodological issues in the analysis of political behaviour 3. Theoretical models of electoral behaviour 4. Electoral participation 5. Voting: socio-demographic factors, institutional context 6. Spatial models of voting 7. Voting and electoral systems: strategic voting 8. Protest: explanations at the individual level 9. Protest: institutional and contextual explanations
Learning activities and methodology
AF1. THEORETICAL-PRACTICAL CLASSES. In these classes the knowledge to be acquired by the students will be presented. They will receive the class notes and will have basic reference texts to facilitate the follow-up of the classes and the development of the subsequent work. Exercises and practical problems will be solved by the student and workshops and evaluation tests will be carried out to acquire the necessary skills. AF2. TUTORIALS. Individualized assistance (individual tutorials) or in group (collective tutorials) to the students by the professor. AF3. INDIVIDUAL OR GROUP WORK OF THE STUDENT. MD1. THEORY CLASS. Class lectures by the professor with the support of computer and audiovisual media, in which the main concepts of the subject are developed and materials and bibliography are provided to complement the students' learning. MD2. PRACTICES. Resolution of practical cases, problems, etc. posed by the teacher individually or in groups. MD3. TUTORIALS. Individualized assistance (individual tutorials) or group (group tutorials) to students by the professor.
Assessment System
  • % end-of-term-examination/test 60
  • % of continuous assessment (assigments, laboratory, practicals...) 40

Calendar of Continuous assessment


Extraordinary call: regulations
Basic Bibliography
  • A. Ware. Partidos Políticos y Sistemas de Partidos. Istmo. 2004
  • J. La Palombara and M. Weiner (eds). Political Parties and Political Development. Princeton University Press. 1966
  • J. van Deth, A. Westholm and J.R. Montero. Citizenship and Involvement in European Democracies: A Comparative Analysis. Routledge. 2007
  • Martin Barret and Bruna Zani. Political and Civic Engagement. Multidisciplinary Perspectives. Routledge. 2015
  • P. Mair (ed). The West European Party System. Oxford University Press. 1990
  • R.S. Katz and W. Crotty (eds). Handbook of Party Politics. Sage. 2006
  • Russell J. Dalton and Hans-Dieter Klingemann (eds). The Oxford Handbook of Political Behavior. Oxford University Press. 2009

The course syllabus may change due academic events or other reasons.