Spanish Politics
Code: 101078 ECTS Credits: 12| Degree | Type | Year | Semester |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2500259 Political Science and Public Management | OB | 2 | A |
Contact
- Name:
- Joan Botella Corral
- Email:
- Joan.Botella@uab.cat
Use of Languages
- Principal working language:
- catalan (cat)
- Some groups entirely in English:
- No
- Some groups entirely in Catalan:
- Yes
- Some groups entirely in Spanish:
- Yes
Other comments on languages
Students requiring language support are given a special attention. in English or FrenchTeachers
- Ricard Vilaregut Saez
- Juan Pérez Rajó
Prerequisites
Students must master the essential elements of the introductory course to Political Science
Objectives and Contextualisation
The course aims at making students familiar with the main features of the Spanish political system, its problems and its evolutionnary trends.
The course aims at giving to students conceptual elements, as well as methodological instruments, beyond a simple "memoristic" approach
Competences
- Applying the knowledge of the structure and operations of political institutions to problems and practical, real or simulated cases.
- Arguing from different theoretical perspectives.
- Connecting the different components that shape the structure and operations of political systems and the environment where they interact.
- Demonstrating good writing skills in different contexts.
- Demonstrating the comprehension of the structure and functioning of political systems in the internal and international arena, both in the analytic area and in the elaboration of intervention proposals or public policies.
- Demonstrating the understanding of the structure and operations of political institutions.
- Identifying sources of data and conducting bibliographic and documentary searches.
- Managing the available time in order to accomplish the established objectives and fulfil the intended task.
- Using the main information and documentation techniques (ICT) as an essential tool for the analysis.
- Working autonomously.
- Working in teams and networking, particularly in interdisciplinary conditions.
Learning Outcomes
- Analysing the electoral processes, including campaigns, parties' electoral strategies, political scenarios and analysis and interpretation of electoral results.
- Arguing from different theoretical perspectives.
- Connecting the different components that shape the structure and operations of political systems and the environment where they interact.
- Demonstrating good writing skills in different contexts.
- Demonstrating the comprehension of the structure and functioning of political systems in the internal and international arena, both in the analytic area and in the elaboration of intervention proposals or public policies.
- Explaining political, individual and collective attitudes and behaviours, as well as the education process and expression of political preferences.
- Identifying sources of data and conducting bibliographic and documentary searches.
- Managing the available time in order to accomplish the established objectives and fulfil the intended task.
- Using the main information and documentation techniques (ICT) as an essential tool for the analysis.
- Working autonomously.
- Working in teams and networking, particularly in interdisciplinary conditions.
Content
Bloc I : The Spanish political tradition : Cleavages in Spanish politics. Constitutional history ( 1812 - 1931). 2nd. Republic and Francoism. Democratic transition and constitutional process
Bloc II : The Political Institutions: the 1978 Constitution. Welfare and democratic State, rule of law and parliamentary Monarchy. Parliament, Government and the Courts. The Constitutional Court. The regionalization of Spain. Spain in the EU. Politics and policy making in the democratic Spain.
Bloc III : Electoral system: General elections; regional and local elections. Electoral behavior.
Bloc IV : Political culture and political actors. Citizen attitudes and participation. The Spanish party system. Political parties. Interest groups, collective action and social movements. Social actors, political parties and institutions.
Methodology
The course has a value of 12 ECTS, which mean a work load for the student of 300 hours, distributed as follows:
- 105 hours of general, teaching activities: lectures, seminars, etc.
- 45 hours of supervised work, conducted by the student outside the classroom, under teacher's supervision
- 150 hours of self-directed work by the student, which include readings, preparation of seminars, personal, study, etc.
Activities
| Title | Hours | ECTS | Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type: Directed | |||
| Lectures | 96 | 3.84 | 5, 3 |
| Practices | 16 | 0.64 | 5, 4, 8, 3 |
| Type: Supervised | |||
| Personal interviews | 10 | 0.4 | 5, 4, 10 |
| Preparation of papers, presentations, etc.. | 28 | 1.12 | 8, 7, 10 |
| Type: Autonomous | |||
| Personal work by the student | 138 | 5.52 | 8, 10 |
Assessment
The course is evaluated on a continuous evaluation basis, including several elements:
- Partial written test, after the 1st semester, which represents 25 % of the final grade. Required: 5 on 10,
. Partial written test, after the 2nd semester, which represents 25 %, and requires 5 / 10
- Seminars ( or "practices"), based on readings and discussions. There will be 4 such seminars with an aggregate value of 20 % of the final grade. Each seminar has a maximum value of 1 point in the final grade.
- Writing and presentation of a research group -work, which amounts to 30 % of the final grade.
- Regular attendance and participation in classes is taken into account
Students having attended 1 or more evaluation activities will get a grade. There will a "recuperation" exam after the publication of the grades for those students who have failed one semester test
Assessment Activities
| Title | Weighting | Hours | ECTS | Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st. bloc practice | 5 % | 1.5 | 0.06 | 1, 4, 8, 10 |
| 2nd bloc practice | 5 % | 1.5 | 0.06 | 4, 8, 10 |
| 2nd. semester Exam | 25 % | 2 | 0.08 | 2, 5, 4, 8, 3, 10, 9 |
| 3rd bloc practic | 5 % | 1.5 | 0.06 | 5, 4, 8, 10 |
| 4th loc practice | 5% | 1.5 | 0.06 | 1, 5, 4, 6, 8, 7, 3, 10, 11 |
| First semester exam | 25% | 2 | 0.08 | 5, 4, 8, 3 |
| Group research - work | 30 % | 2 | 0.08 | 1, 2, 5, 4, 6, 8, 7, 3, 10, 11, 9 |
Bibliography
SEE CATALAN SECTION