After completing the course the student will be able: - To become familiar with political reality from a scientific perspective - To know the main elements and factors, both structural and dynamic, that shape and influence the political process. - To analyze the structure and functioning of political systems and their interaction with their environment - To know the main political institutions and the interrelation of these ones with other political system components - To analyze, in a basic way, the role of different types of political actors. - To recognize the social, political, cultural and religious diversity of contemporary societies and the relevance and transversality that democratic principles and human rights have in them

K1: Acquire and apply the knowledge, skills, and techniques of the discipline of political science, using the appropriate terminology and the appropriate scientific method K2: To know the principles and values of democracy and sustainable development, in particular, respect for human rights and fundamental rights, gender equality and non-discrimination, the principles of universal accessibility and climate change. K4: To analyze the behavior of political actors, the processes of political participation, electoral systems, and the role of citizens in contemporary democracies K5: To know the structure and functioning of political institutions and their interaction with the rest of the components of the political system from a comparative perspective K6: To know the main currents of political philosophy, the main contemporary political theories and ideologies and those linked to current political movements K7: Describe the structure of public administrations at their different levels, the relationships established between them, the regulatory framework, planning and management in the public sphere. C2: Identify, understand and know how to use the main theoretical and conceptual approaches and frameworks of the different areas of specialization and subdisciplines of political science S1: Be able to debate and formulate critical reasoning, using precise terminology and specialized resources, on political phenomena S4: Be able to apply the scientific method to social, political, and economic questions both domestically and in a globalized society

This course introduces the basic concepts of Political Science, from power and forms of political organization to the functioning of governments, representation, electoral behavior, and current political challenges. Its specific contents are: 1. Politics and political power 2. The main explanatory theories in political science 3. Forms of political organization 4. The State and models of the State 5. Parliaments and political representation 6. Government and systems of government 7. The actors of the political system 8. Basics of political and electoral behavior 9. Welfare States 10. Challenges of politics in the contemporary world 11. Public policies

Teaching time is distributed according to the following training activities: - Lectures. It includes case studies that illustrate lectures. - Written exercises on basic reading program and presentations by student teams - Other training: specific work on a film; book test; newspaper seminar; structured discussions, etc..