UCJAOPBP25 Introduction to political science

Faculty of Philosophy and Science in Opava
Summer 2025
Extent and Intensity
0/2/0. 3 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
Mgr. Lukáš Vomlela, Ph.D. (seminar tutor)
Guaranteed by
Mgr. Lukáš Vomlela, Ph.D.
Institute of Foreign Languages – Faculty of Philosophy and Science in Opava
Timetable of Seminar Groups
UCJAOPBP25/A: Fri 21. 2. 8:05–13:00 H8, Fri 7. 3. 8:05–12:10 H8, Fri 21. 3. 8:05–12:10 H8, Fri 18. 4. 8:05–12:10 H8, Fri 16. 5. 8:05–12:10 H8, L. Vomlela
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
The aim of the course is to introduce students to the development and structure of political science, its main disciplines, the most important contemporary political science issues, and the role of the state. With regard to related subjects (International Relations, Political Systems, Local Politics), the course is structured into three broader thematic blocks. The first block provides students with foundational knowledge of the development, scope, and division of political science, the main theoretical approaches, political philosophy and ideologies, as well as democratic and non-democratic forms of government. The second block offers a concise typological overview of democratic political systems, political parties and party systems, political actors, elections, and electoral systems. The final part of the lectures is dedicated to selected aspects of political geography and political communication.
Learning outcomes
The student will gain an overview of the development and structure of political science, its main disciplines, and key contemporary political issues. They will understand theoretical approaches, political philosophy, and ideologies and will be able to analyze both democratic and non-democratic forms of government. They will acquire knowledge of political systems, political parties and party systems, electoral systems, and political actors. The student will be able to interpret political processes and navigate topics related to political geography and political communication.
Syllabus
  • 1. Politics and Political Science (Basic Terms and Development of Political Science)
  • 2. Political Theories and Methods (Systems Theory; Behavioralism; Marxist Theories; Rational Choice Theory)
  • 3. Political Ideologies (Liberalism; Conservatism; Socialism; Nationalism; Fascism; Communism; Anarchism)
  • 4. Political Anthropology (Development of Social Structures and Political Thought)
  • 5. Political Regimes and Forms of Government (Democratic and Authoritarian Regimes; Elites and Pluralism; Democratization)
  • 6. Political Culture (Civil Society; Religion; Subcultures)
  • 7. Political Communication (Mass Media; Framing; Public Relations)
  • 8. Political Parties and Interest Groups (Basic Typology of Political Parties and Party Systems)
  • 9. Elections and Electoral Systems (Basic Typology, Functions, and Outcomes of Elections and Electoral Systems)
  • 10. Protest and Social Movements in the Political Sphere (Basic Typology of Social Movements; Political Mobilization)
  • 11. Political Economy (Economy and Government; Tax Systems; Poverty and Ideology; Welfare State and Neoliberalism)
  • 12. Violence and Revolutions (System Collapse; Types of Political Violence and Revolutions, Their Actors, Expectations; Terrorism)
  • 13. Final Course Summary
Literature
  • Hloušek, V., Kopeček, L., Šedo, J. (2018). Politické systémy. Praha: Barrister & Principal. Roskin, M. G., et al. (2013) Political Science: An Introduction. New York: Pearson.
Teaching methods
lecture, seminar
Assessment methods
written test
Language of instruction
English
The course is also listed under the following terms Summer 2021, Summer 2022, Summer 2023, Summer 2024.
  • Enrolment Statistics (recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.slu.cz/course/fpf/summer2025/UCJAOPBP25