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Thematic Seminar I

Code 11316
Year 1
Semester S1
ECTS Credits 10
Workload TP(45H)
Scientific area Ciência Política
Entry requirements n.a.
Mode of delivery Face to face and videoconferencing.
Work placements UBI and UA.
Learning outcomes The main aim of this course is to provide students with an in-depth understanding of Political Science themes and issues in the areas of political philosophy, comparative politics, governance and political communication, familiarising them with the results of recent and most relevant research in these areas.
The objectives of this course are:
- Broadening and deepening the scientific culture of the area: acquiring and integrating knowledge of cutting-edge research.
- Formulation, using appropriate conceptual tools, of research questions based on the literature.
- Acquisition of high-level skills to think critically, problematise, evaluate, analyse and synthesise issues and problems in Political Science in an autonomous manner.
- Acquisition of the ability to relate themes and problems from different sub-fields in a relevant way.
Syllabus MODULE I – Political Philosophy
- Rationality and emotions in politics
- Deliberative democracy and public reason.
- Theories of Justice and Artificial Intelligence

MODULE II - Comparative Politics
- Institutions and New Institutionalism;
- Comparative Political Institutions;
- Institutions and political outcomes.

MODULE III - Governance
- Institutions and Governance;
- Subnational Governance;
- Challenges and future development of governance theories.

MODULE IV - Political Communication
- Negativity bias, sources of information and satisfaction with democracy;
- Populism, social media, and disinformation;
- Social movements and communication.

Main Bibliography Baldersheim, H. & Rose, L.E., eds., (2010). Territorial Choice: The Politics of Boundaries and Borders. New York: Palgrave
Caillé, A.; Lazzeri, C.; & Senellart, M., eds. (2007). Histoire raisonnée de la philosophie morale et politique: Tome 1. Paris: Flammarion
Cunningham, F. (2001). Theories of Democracy. A Critical Introduction. London: Routledge
Dahl, R. (1991). Democracy and its critics. New Haven: Yale University Press
Dryzek, J.S.; Honig, B.; & Philips, A., eds. (2008). The Oxford Handbook of Political Theory. Oxford: OUP
Gomes, W. (2004). Transformações da Política na Era da Comunicação de Massa. São Paulo: Paulis
Held, D. (2006). Models of democracy. Cambridge: Polity Press
Kraus, S. & Davis, D. (1976). The effects of mass communication on political behavior. University Park: Penn State Press
Norris, P. (2012). Making Democratic Governance Work, Cambridge: CUP
Strauss, L. & Cropsey, J., eds. (1988). History of Political Philosophy. Chicago: U. Chicago Press.


Teaching Methodologies and Assessment Criteria Student assessment in this course is based on the preparation of three essays (3 x 25%), to be submitted to professors at the end of the semester, and on the discussion of texts on Perusall (25%) throughout the semester. Essays should focus on topics within the scope of the Governance, Political Communication, and Political Philosophy modules, and the discussion should focus on topics previously agreed upon with the faculty in the Comparative Politics module. To facilitate corrections and improvements that will result in an optimized final version of the work, papers will be reviewed with the faculty.
Language Portuguese. Tutorial support is available in English.
Last updated on: 2025-09-25

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