Knowledge: K-1. Advanced knowledge and understanding of the processes of economic, social, and political change, as well as the structures that constitute societies (markets, families, institutions) from an analytical, methodological, and empirical perspective. K-4. Knowledge of comparative analysis and historical analysis applied in the major scientific contributions in Social Sciences. K-5. Knowledge of the internal logic of a scientific publication, examining the clarity of exposition, as well as the consistency between theory, analytical strategy, indicators, results, and conclusions. K-10. Advanced knowledge and understanding of the economic, social, and institutional bases of the functioning of political regimes. Skills: S-1. Ability to synthesize the main theories and empirical contributions in one or more contemporary debates from an interdisciplinary perspective. S-4. Ability to select and apply the method of comparison or historical analysis to the study of a political, economic, or social phenomenon. S-5. Skill in organizing and expressing ideas clearly and unambiguously, and in supporting theoretical arguments on a topic through critical analysis of the literature. S-10. Understand the origin of the institutions of different regimes and their effects on the functioning of the political system. Competencies: C-1. Ability to apply knowledge on existing theoretical and empirical debates in an original development of one's own ideas in a context of academic or applied research. C-4. Ability to select cases and apply the comparative method and/or historical analysis when providing an empirical response to a research question within the framework of applied or academic research. C-5. Ability to identify the strengths and weaknesses of scientific publications in an area of study and to justify the advancement in the knowledge frontier that is intended to be achieved in the research project. C-10. Ability to apply theoretical knowledge and methodological advances on the subject in the development of a research paper in the area of Political Science.

The objective of this second year course is to introduce students to the discussion and analysis of a number of Advanced Topics in Political Economy. Students will be exposed to a selection of topics that, whereas it is by no means exhaustive, will present them a panoply of current debates, mainly in the political economy of democracies, although the rise of authoritarianism in democracies and issues related to autocratic politics will also be discussed. Advanced academic research will be presented with the aim of expanding their analytical skills. The ultimate goal is to ensure that students understand, engage and can contribute to current research activity in the discipline. 1. The role of culture in historical political economy studies. 2. Causes and consequences of culture. Persistence and change. 3. Ethnic and national identities in the study of preferences. 4. Out-groups and social affection. 5. Social sorting. 6. Geographical inequalities. 7. The Non-Democratic Legacies of Democracies. 8. Failures of representation in democracies. 9. Polarization and democratic backsliding.

AF1 - Theoretical class AF3 - Theoretical-practical class: learning of theoretical content on mathematics, statistics, and causal inference. AF5 - Tutoring: the possibility of establishing weekly meetings with the professor teaching the course. AF6 - Individual student work. Teaching Methodologies: MD1 - Lectures in class by the professor with the support of computer and audiovisual media, in which the main concepts of the subject are developed. MD2 - Critical reading of texts recommended by the subject professor: press articles, reports, manuals, and/or academic articles. MD4 - Presentation and discussion in class, under the moderation of the professor, on topics related to the content of the subject, as well as practical cases. MD5 - Preparation of papers and reports individually or in groups.