Parties and Party Systems in Southern Europe - JPM466

• Title: Parties and Party Systems in Southern Europe
• Guaranteed by: Department of Political Science (23-KP)
• Faculty: Faculty of Social Sciences
• Actual: from 2024
• Semester: summer
• E-Credits: 6
• Examination process: summer s.:
• Hours per week, examination: summer s.:2/0, C [HT]
• Capacity: unlimited / unknown (24)
• Min. number of students: unlimited
• 4EU+: no
• Virtual mobility / capacity: no
• State of the course: taught
• Language: English
• Teaching methods: full-time
• Note: course can be enrolled in outside the study plan; enabled for web enrollment; priority enrollment if the course is part of the study plan
• Guarantor: Mattia Collini, Ph.D.
• Teacher(s): Mattia Collini, Ph.D.
• Class: Courses for incoming students

Aim of the course

The course offers an introduction to the main Southern European political and party systems, providing a comprehensive understanding of their evolution and functioning, focusing on Italy, Spain, Greece and Portugal. Through a comparative lens, students will explore the historical developments, socio-political factors, and institutional frameworks that have shaped the politics and party systems in these countries.

Last update: Collini Mattia, Ph.D. (07.02.2024)

Teaching methods

The course will be taught in 12 classes of 80 minutes (in presence) each Wednesday at 11:00.

Venue: Jinonice Campus, Building C, seminar room C520.

Teaching materials: Slides and assigned readings, students are also advised to take notes in class. Please check the relevant course's page on Moodle for furhter information and teaching materials ( https://dl1.cuni.cz/course/view.php?id=15948 ).

Office hours: Wednesday 14:00-15:00 (room C535, Jinonice, building C).

Last update: Collini Mattia, Ph.D. (30.01.2025)

Requirements to the exam

In order to receive their credits, students are required to actively participate in class, attending at least 9 of the 12 sessions (participation component), and give a presentation at the end of the course on a topic of choice (workshop), accompanied by a short reflection paper. The presentation should focus on a specific topic covered during the course.

Detailed information will be provided in class. 

There is no final exam; thus, non-attending students will not be able to pass the course.

Last update: Collini Mattia, Ph.D. (30.01.2025)

Syllabus

INTRODUCTION

• Introduction & Overview of the Course

PART ONE: ITALY

• Introduction to the Italian Political System
• Italy – the “First Republic”
• Italy – the “Second Republic”
• Italy - evolution of the party system after 2018.

For an in-depth overview of the Italian Political System, please check the dedicated course JPM780.

PART TWO: SPAIN AND PORTUGAL

• Evolution of the Spanish Political System
• Historical background and legacies, democratic transition and institutional setting.
• The Spanish Parties and Party System 1982-2008
• Recent developments (2008-)
• Parties and Party Systems in Portugal

PART THREE: GREECE, MALTA AND CYPRUS 

• Parties and Party Systems in Malta
• Parties and Party Systems in Greece
• Parties and Party Systems in Cyprus

WORKSHOP

• Sessions 11-12: Students’ presentations.

Last update: Collini Mattia, Ph.D. (06.02.2026)