Contemporary Political Systems 2104-UPIR-D2COPS
- https://kampus-student2.ckc.uw.edu.pl/course/view.php?id=5474
- https://kampus-student2.ckc.uw.edu.pl/course/view.php?id=10188 (term 2024L)
- https://kampus-kursy.ckc.uw.edu.pl/course/view.php?id=7583 (term 2025L)
1. Introduction and overview of course
2. Political systems: definitions, categories, concepts
3. Comparing political systems according to the nature of the state apparatus (democracy, authoritarianism, totalitarianism)
4. Division of political systems according to the type of political regime (monarchies, republics, presidential and parliamentary-cabinet systems etc.)
5. Political systems in unitary and complex states (federations, confederations). The division of powers (legislative, executive and judicial)
6. Political parties and Party systems. Electoral systems. Political culture and political participation. Social cleavages and political conflict.
7. Political System vs. Foreign Policy. Understanding the Connection
8. Specific case studies: Impact of political system on the foreign policy decision-making process
9. Specific case studies: Impact of political system on the foreign policy decision-making process
10. Sum up
Course coordinators
Term 2024L: | Term 2025L: |
Type of course
Mode
General: Classroom | Term 2024L: Remote learning | Term 2025L: Classroom |
Learning outcomes
By the end of the module students will develop both contextual knowledge of contemporary political systems. Students will know political party and electoral systems around the world as well as theoretical knowledge on the evolution, functioning, and purpose of party representation. Students will be able to apply different theoretical frameworks and analytical toolkits to case study countries, compare and contrast the distinctive features of different political systems, evaluate and explain the development of political actors, institutions, cultures and economies.
Assessment criteria
Students will get ranking on the basis of:
- assignment after each class (70%)
- final project (30%)
Additional information
Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system: