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Political Theory

Course developer

Course abstract

The Political Theory course introduces the basic concepts and theoretical knowledge of political science, the development of political theories and ideologies. Students acquire the skills to apply political science guidelines in the analysis of the policy process during the course.
The aim of the study course is to provide students with general and systemic knowledge about the essence of public administration and the peculiarities of this process.

Learning outcomes and their assessment

Knowledge
1. The student orients in the process of formation and development of political science, knows the main schools and directions of modern politics. Understands the meaning and essence of politics, knows the object and subject of politics. Discussions during seminars.
2. Understanding of the origin, development, functions of political theory, political concept, object, subject. 1 test.
3. Knowledge of the state, its nature, political regimes, their types, civil society and the nature of participation, its forms. 2 test.
4. Understanding of the main classical and modern ideologies. Independent work.
5. Knows and understands the meaning and essence of politics, is able to use the concepts of political theory. Independent work.
Professional skills
1. The student is able to explain and discuss the origin and development of political theory, the concept of politics, object and subject. Able to distinguish between political theories and political functions. Discussions during seminars.
2. Orients in political theory and political process issues, is able to separate the functions of theory and process. 1 test.
3. Able to explain and discuss the essence of the state, political regime and civil society, the main classical and modern ideologies. Discussions during seminars.
4. Able to explain and analyze the nature of the state, political regime and civil society. 2 test.
Soft skills
1. Ability to responsibly plan assigned tasks. Independent work.
2. Is able to constantly obtain the necessary information for the development of a report, is able to structure and design a scientific research work . Independent work.
3. Able to develop social interaction, cooperation and organizational skills. Discussions during seminars.
4. Able to present the results of research. Independent work, group work during seminars.
Competence
1. The student is able to analyse various political situations. Seminars.
2. Able to model possible actions of politicians and parties based on knowledge of political theories. Seminars.
3. Able to independently formulate and critically analyse policy regularities and challenges on a local and global level. Examination, tests.

Course Content(Calendar)

1. Emergence and development of political theory. - 2 hours
2. Subject and methods of political theory. Functions of political theory. - 2 hours
3. Policy subjects. Individual and group subjects of politics, preconditions of their existence and operation. - 2 hours
4. Political elite, its role in the political process. - 2 hours
Test 1: Origin, development, functions of political theory. The concept of politics, object, subject.
5. Political power. Types and interpretations of power, dispersion and concentration. Authorized and unauthorized power.- 2 hours
6. Country. Concepts of state emergence. The social nature of the country. - 2 hours
7. Political regimes. The concept of regime, typology. Peculiarities of political and social activity in non-democratic regimes. -3 hours
8. Political parties. Party functions. Parties typology. Party systems. The influence of the party system on the political organization of the society. -3 hours
9. Civil society. The problem of state - civil society relations. - 2 hours
10. Political participation. Conventional political participation, its forms. Unconventional political participation. - 2 hours
11. Elections and election systems. Majority electoral system. Proportional and mixed electoral system.- 2 hours
Test 2: The concept and essence of the state. Political regimes, their typology. The concept and essence of civil society and participation.
12. Political ideologies, their role in the political process. -3 hours
13. Political culture, diversity of interpretations of its concept. -3 hours

Requirements for awarding credit points

Written exam.
The exam task consists of:
• test on the theoretical material acquired in the study course;
• open questions, which include definitions of key concepts, situation analysis, comparison of different political systems.

All tests and individual work must be included.

Study process in part-time distance learning is organised in accordance with the Order of the Vice-Rector of Studies No. 2.4.-5/59 On distance learning procedures at LBTU. Study courses are scheduled for each semester according to the study plan. The students learn the topics included in the study course independently, using the materials created and placed by the lecturer in the e-studies (Moodle). Feedback on the learning of lecture and seminar topics in distance learning is organised in the form of self-assessment tests, discussion forums and independent work, as well as in face-to-face or online consultations, lectures and final examinations according to the timetable.

Description of the organization and tasks of students’ independent work

Report on one of the topics offered by the lecturer at the beginning of the semester. Volume 8- 10 pages. Submit electronically.

Criteria for Evaluating Learning Outcomes

The evaluation of the study course examination depends on the cumulative evaluation of the examination task (40%), study course tests (40%), independent work (10%) and activity in seminar classes (10%).

10% corresponds to one point on the 10-point assessment scale.

Compulsory reading

1. Ašmanis M. Politikas teorija. – Rīga: Zvaigzne ABC. 2001.216 lpp.
2. Demokrātija. Tekstu krājums. Mācību līdzeklis. Rīga: RTU Izdevniecība. 2015. 160 lpp.
3. Īsi par demokrātiju. Rakstu krājums.- Rīga: LNB, 2017. 192 lpp.
4. Michels R. Political parties. A sociological study of the oligarchical tendencies of modern democracy. Ontario: Batoche Books, 2001. 266p. Pieejams: https://socialsciences.mcmaster.ca/~econ/ugcm/3ll3/michels/polipart.pdf
5. The Oxford handbook of political science. Ed. by R.E.Goodin. Oxford, NewYork: Oxford University Press, 2009. 1291 p.
6. Roskin M.G. et all. Political science: an introduction. 12th ed. Boston etc.: Longman, 2012. 383 p.
7. Studying politics. An introduction to political science. 2nd ed. Ed.byR.Dyck. Toronto: Thomson/ Nelson, 2006. 442 p.
8. Tansey S.D., Jackson N. Politics. The basics. 4th ed. London, NewYork: Routledge, 2008. 280 p. Pieejams: http://155.0.32.9:8080/jspui/bitstream/123456789/833/1/Politics_%20The%20Basics%2C%204th%20Edition%20%28%20PDFDrive.com%20%29.pdf
9. Tauriņš G . Politika. 1.sēj. Rīga: Nacionālā aizsardzības akadēmija; Sociālo tehnoloģiju augstskola, 2001. 367 lpp.

Further reading

1. Ārente H. Totalitārisma izcelsme. R.: Elpa, 2000. 609 lpp.
2. Hauss C. Comparative politics. Domestic responses to global challenges. 6th ed. Belmont, CA : Wadsworth/Cengage Learning, 2009. 552 p.
3. Mihelss R. Moderno demokrātiju partijiskuma socioloģija. Rīga : AGB, 2004. 431 lpp.
4. The Oxford handbook of political institutions. Ed. by R.A.W.Rhodes, S.A.Binder, B.A.Rockman. Oxford; New York: Oxford University Press, 2006. 816 p.
5. Pabriks A. Politikas mazais leksikons. – Rīga: Zvaigxne ABC. (B.g.) 256 lpp.
6. Readings in political science. Ed. By P.Hamilton. Dubuque, Iowa : Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company, 2006. 279 lpp.
7. Хантингтон С. Третяя Волна. Демократизация в конце ХХ века. – Москва:Росспен. 2003. 368 c.

Periodicals and other sources

1. Economist. 2014 - . Economist Newspaper Limited. ISSN:0013-0613
2. http://www.politika.lv[Tiešsaiste]. [Skatīts 22.05.2018.]

Notes

Compulsory study course for academic bachelor study program “Sociology of Organizations and Public Administration”