Checking date: 22/04/2023


Course: 2023/2024

Spanish Politics I
(13224)
Dual Bachelor in International Studies and Political Science (2015 Study Plan) (Plan: 350 - Estudio: 320)


Coordinating teacher: LEON ALFONSO, SANDRA

Department assigned to the subject: Social Sciences Department

Type: Compulsory
ECTS Credits: 6.0 ECTS

Course:
Semester:




Requirements (Subjects that are assumed to be known)
High proficiency certificate or accredited level in English language. This course when taught in English is basically addressed to Erasmus and exchange students with a basic knowledge of Spanish politics and government and of contemporary Spanish History. - Análisis Político I (Political Analysis I) - Comportamiento y Actores Políticos I ( Political Behaviour and Actors)
Objectives
Instrumental knowledge of : - The stages and actors of the Spanish political transition and democratic consolidation. - The prevailing values ¿¿and major fractures in the Spanish political culture. - The articulation and political consequences of electoral systems used in Spain . - The political and progressive transformation of the state of autonomous complexity. Spanish olitical
Description of contents: programme
This course addresses the main characteristics of the political system in Spain from a comparative perspective, that is, taking into account the singularities of the Spanish case in relation to political systems in other advanced democracies. The content organization is structured around five blocks. The first is a review of the origins of the current political system that explores the process of transition to democracy and transitional justice in comparison with other countries. The second block is made up of two sessions on the institutional design of the Spanish political system, one dedicated to the territorial model due to its relevance both in the constitutional debate and in the configuration of political competition, and another dedicated to the main institutional characteristics of the Spanish political system from a comparative perspective. The third block analyzes the study of the main actors of the political system - political parties, voters and civil society - and of the structure where these actors operate (public administration). In the fourth block, the tensions in the system originated after the financial crisis in 2008 are analyzed. The first session of this block deals with the crisis of representation during the first years of the 2010s and the second session is dedicated to the study of ideological and affective polarization. The last block addresses two aspects of the political system that have starred in the current debate in recent years: corruption and the quality of democracy.
Learning activities and methodology
- Conventional classes (50 % of the schedule ) . - Specific analysis in reduced groups (50 % of the schedule ) . - Tutoring schedule set for that purpose.
Assessment System
  • % end-of-term-examination 50
  • % of continuous assessment (assigments, laboratory, practicals...) 50
Calendar of Continuous assessment
Basic Bibliography
  • Gunther, R, Montero, J.R., Botella, J. . Democracy in Modern Spain . Yale University Press. 2004
  • Maravall, J.M. y Santamaría, J.. Political change in Spain and the prospects for democracy (en O¿Donnell, Schmitter and Whitehead, "Transitions from Authoritarian Rule") . The Johns Hopkins University Press. 1985
  • Reniu, J.M. (edi.), Ruiz Martínez, F.J. et al. Sistema Político Español. Huygens Editorial. 2012
Additional Bibliography
  • Gunther, R., J.R. Montero y J. Botella. Democracy in Modern Spain. Yale University Press.. 2005
  • Maravall, J.M. y J. Santamaría. Political Change in Spain and the Prospects for Democracy. The Johns Hopkins University Press. 1985

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