Course: Elections and electoral systems

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Course title Elections and electoral systems
Course code KAP/VOLB
Organizational form of instruction Lecture + Seminar
Level of course Bachelor
Year of study not specified
Semester Winter and summer
Number of ECTS credits 6
Language of instruction Czech
Status of course unspecified
Form of instruction Face-to-face
Work placements This is not an internship
Recommended optional programme components None
Lecturer(s)
  • Prchlík Josef, doc. PhDr. Ph.D.
Course content
1) The elections as a phenomenon 2) Democratic elections, voter turnout 3) Voting system, voting process, suffrage 4) The polls and their methodology 5) The typology of voting systems I. - majoritarian systems 6) The typology of voting systems II. - proportional systems 7) The typology of voting systems III. - mixed systems 8) The political influence of the voting systems 9) The electoral geography 10) The election campaign and marketing 11) The voting behavior 12) The election analysis

Learning activities and teaching methods
Students' self-study, Lecture, Seminar
  • Contact hours - 52 hours per semester
  • Presentation preparation (report) (1-10) - 10 hours per semester
  • Preparation for an examination (30-60) - 54 hours per semester
  • Undergraduate study programme term essay (20-40) - 40 hours per semester
prerequisite
Knowledge
explain the patterns of functioning of the political systems of selected countries
distinguish political actors in democratic systems
identify the basic elements of political systems
Skills
independently make a comparison of the different elements of political systems
assign a particular political party, interest group or party system to the relevant type
independently interpret the role and function of a particular political actor in a particular political environment
Competences
N/A
learning outcomes
Knowledge
describe in general terms the relationship between electoral and party systems
describe the basic types of variables in different electoral systems
assess the limits of different electoral systems in relation to fundamental democratic principles
explain the different ways of converting votes into seats in different types of electoral systems
characterise different types of electoral systems
list and characterise the basic stages of the electoral process in a democracy
explain the importance of elections for the functioning of a democratic political system
Skills
analyse and interpret the form of the party system in relation to the electoral system used
independently prepare an analysis of a specific electoral act and identify the factors influencing the election results
independently interpret the impact of the electoral system on a particular electoral outcome
on the basis of an analysis of the electoral act, assess the fulfilment of the principles of democratic elections
independently design the configuration of election system variables
Competences
N/A
teaching methods
Knowledge
Self-study of literature
Lecture with visual aids
Skills
Seminar
Individual study
Competences
Individual study
Seminar
assessment methods
Knowledge
Oral exam
Skills
Seminar work
Individual presentation at a seminar
Competences
Individual presentation at a seminar
Seminar work
Recommended literature
  • Balík, Stanislav. Většinový systém pro sněmovní volby? : české zkušenosti a debaty. 1. vyd. Brno : Centrum pro studium demokracie a kultury, 2013. ISBN 978-80-7325-304-2.
  • Chytilek, Roman; Šedo, Jakub. Volební systémy. 1. vyd. Brno : Masarykova univerzita, Mezinárodní politologický ústav, 2004. ISBN 80-210-3548-X.
  • Kubát, Michal. Volby a volební systémy. Úvod do studia politické vědy ISBN 80-86432-41-6 P. 2002.
  • Lijphart, A. Electoral Systems and Party Systems. A Study of Twenty-Seven Democracies, 1945-1990. OUP, New York, 1999.
  • Rose, Richard. International encyclopedia of elections. London : Macmillan Reference, 2000. ISBN 0-333-92745-1.


Study plans that include the course
Faculty Study plan (Version) Category of Branch/Specialization Recommended year of study Recommended semester