Parties and Party Systems in Southern Europe - JPM466
Title: Parties and Party Systems in Southern Europe
Form of teaching: lecture
Guaranteed by: Department of Political Science (23-KP)
Faculty: Faculty of Social Sciences
Actual: from 2024
Duration in semesters: 1
Semester: summer
E-Credits: 6
Examination process: summer s.:
Hours per week, examination: summer s.:2/0, C [HT]
Capacity: unlimited / unknown (24)
Maximum number of enrolled students: 24
Min. number of students: unlimited
4EU+: no
Virtual mobility / capacity: no
State of the course: taught
Language: English
Teaching methods: full-time
Repeated enrollment: 2 / 2 / 1 / 2
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
SS schedule   Noticeboard   
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)
Course assessment methods and requirements for successful completion, grading scheme

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)