Checking date: 28/04/2020


Course: 2019/2020

Electoral systems: causes, consequences and reforms
(17749)
Master in Political and Electoral Analysis (Plan: 385 - Estudio: 344)
EPC


Coordinating teacher: SIMON COSANO, PABLO

Department assigned to the subject: Social Sciences Department

Type: Compulsory
ECTS Credits: 3.0 ECTS

Course:
Semester:




Objectives
- Possess and understand knowledge that provides a basis or opportunity to be original in the development and / or application of ideas, often in a research context - That students know how to apply the knowledge acquired and their ability to solve problems in new or unfamiliar environments within broader (or multidisciplinary) contexts related to their area of study - That students are able to integrate knowledge and face the complexity of making judgments based on information that, being incomplete or limited, includes reflections on social and ethical responsibilities linked to the application of their knowledge and judgments - That students know how to communicate their conclusions and the knowledge and ultimate reasons that sustain them to specialized and non-specialized audiences in a clear and unambiguous way. - That students have the learning skills that allow them to continue studying in a way that will be largely self-directed or autonomous. - Ability to interpret and integrate information from the political and social environment in order to be able to perform analysis effectively from incomplete information contexts. - Ability to apply in a practical way to the phenomena of current political and social theoretical and methodological knowledge specialized in the discipline. - Ability to adequately convey in the analyzes the uncertainty inherent to political and social phenomena - Ability to elaborate and communicate political analysis in a clear manner and present it to both specialized and non-specialized publics. - Ability to demonstrate critical sense in the analytical arguments of both themselves and others. - Ability to analytically and professionally apply the latest advanced theories on the behavior of public opinion and new political and social phenomena. - Ability to propose strategies and action plans to political parties both in political and electoral competition and in government. LEARNING RESULTS - Advanced knowledge of the functioning of the different electoral systems in the world. - Study of the reasons for opting for certain electoral institutions in a country and assessing their adaptation to particular national realities. - Acquisition of analytical tools to interpret the advantages and disadvantages of the various institutional designs.
Description of contents: programme
- The biases of the electoral systems; distributive and intraparty elements. - The territorial effects of electoral systems. - How is an electoral system reformed? The international and autonomous comparative. - The effects of the electoral system on attitudinal components, political corruption and public spending. - The Spanish electoral system and its proposals for change.
Learning activities and methodology
- Presentations in the teacher's class with support of computer and audiovisual media, in which the main concepts of the subject are developed and the bibliography is provided to complement the students' learning. - Critical reading of texts recommended by the teacher of the subject: Press articles, reports, manuals and / or academic articles, either for further discussion in class, or to expand and consolidate the knowledge of the subject. - Resolution of practical cases, problems posed by the teacher individually or in groups - Exhibition and discussion in class, under the teacher's moderation of topics related to the content of the subject, as well as case studies - Preparation of papers and reports individually or in groups
Assessment System
  • % end-of-term-examination 50
  • % of continuous assessment (assigments, laboratory, practicals...) 50

Basic Bibliography
  • Matthew S. Shugart y Rein Taagepera. Votes from Seats. Cambridge University Press. 2017
  • Michael Gallagher y Paul Mitchell. The Politics of Electoral Systems . Oxford University Press.. 2008
Additional Bibliography
  • Cox, G.W. Making Votes Count: Strategic Coordination in the World¿s Electoral Systems. Cambridge University Press.. 1997
  • Josep M. Colomer . Handbook of Electoral Systems Choice. 2001. Palgrave MacMillan
  • Josep M. Colomer . Personal representation: The neglected dimension of electoral systems. 2011. ECPR Press.
  • Renwick, Alan y Jean-Benoit Pilet. Faces on the ballot. The personalization of electoral systems in Europe. Oxford University Press. 2016

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