Classes in the subject ‘Political Science’ are designed to impart a basic knowledge of politics and the state. In the form of a traditional lecture and a series of presentations, students will acquire a range of information covering issues such as parties, the nation, international relations and the role of the media in politics.
Lecture topics
1. What is politics?
Topic example: Take part in a discussion about an excerpt from the film. Answer the question: what is politics?
2. State and the Nation. The Political Regimes
Topic example: Choose three examples of countries with democratic, authoritarian and totalitarian regimes and compare them with each other taking into account the criteria discussed in the presentation.
3. Democracy and electoral system
Topic example: Compare two countries with proportional and majority electoral systems. Point out the advantages and disadvantages of both systems.
4. Political Parties
Topic example: Choose 3 of the 8 party systems – find 3 countries with these systems and compare them with each other indicating the pros and cons of each.
5. Media&Politics
Topic example: Choose one country each from three different media models around the world. Compare them with each other pointing out the pros and cons of each.
6. Political Ideologies
Topic example: Find elements of political ideologies in the programmes of three selected world leaders. Indicate how ideologies can translate into specific political programmes.
7. International relations & Contemporary Political Problems of the World
Topic example: Identify what you consider to be the three most important problems and conflicts in the world today. Consider the possible solutions and consequences of these problems.
Literature:
Basic literature
Назарбаев Н.А. «Казахстанский путь-2050: Единая цель, единые интересы, единое будущее». Послание Главы государства Н.Назарбаева народу Казахстана.
Назарбаев Н.А. «Третья модернизация Казахстана: глобальная конкурентоспособность». Послание Главы государства Н.Назарбаева народу
Казахстана.
Назарбаев Н.А. «Взгляд в будущее: модернизация общественного сознания».-Астана, 2017
Khidirbekughli D. (2012) Political Science. Course of Lectures.(Kazakhstan: IITU)
Grigsby E. (2015) Analyzing Politics. An Introduction to Political Science. (USA: Thomson Wadsworth).
Heywood A. (2013) Politics (New York: Palgrave Macmillan).
Jackson R.J. and D. Jackson (2013) An Introduction to Political Science. Comparative and World Politics (Toronto, Ontario: Pearson Education Canada Inc.).
Абсаттаров Р.Б. «Саясаттану негіздері». – 2 том.- Алматы: Қарасай, 2011.
Мұсатаев С.Ш. «Саяси билік»: Оқу құралы. Алматы: Қазақ университеті. – 2014
«Әлемдік саясаттану антологиясы». „Мәдени мұра” мемлекеттік бағдарламасы. – Алматы: Қазақстан. – 2005-2009. – Т. 1-9
«Казахстанский путь – 2050». -3 том./ Под ред. Султанова Б.К. – Алматы: КИСИ, 2014.
References for video-lecture, practice, SIS, video-materias / http://dl.iitu.kz
Supplementary literature:
Бәйділдінов Л.Ә. «Теориялық саясаттану». – Алматы, 2005.
Булуктаев Ю.О. «Политический режим и посткоммунистическая трансформация: теория, методология, практика».- Алматы, 2008.
Мұсатаев С.Ш. «Саяси билік»: Оқу құралы. Алматы: Қазақ университеті. – 2014.
«Казахстанский путь – 2050». -3 том./ Под ред. Султанова Б.К. – Алматы: КИСИ, 2014.
«Казахстанская политологическая энциклопедия» / Под ред. Т.Т.Мустафина. – Алматы,1998.
«Управление рисками в сфере внутренней политики Республики Казахстан»/ Под.ред. Шаукеновой З.К. – Алматы, 2014.
Чеботарёв А.Е. «Политическая мысль суверенного Казахстана: динамика, идеи, оценки». Алматы: ИМЭП при Фонде Первого Президента, 2015
Birch, A.H. (1993) Concepts and Theories of Modern Democracy (London and New York: Routledge).
Clarke K.A., Primo D.M. (2012) A Model Discipline: Political Science and the Logic of Representations. Oxford University Press
Dunleavy, P. and O’Leary (1987) Theories of the State (London: Macmillan).
DiClerico, R.E. (2000) Political Parties, Campaigns, and Elections (USA: Prentice-Hall, Inc.).
Duverger, M. (1954) Political Parties (London: Menthuem).
Magstadt, T.M. (2006) Understanding Politics. Ideas, Institutions, & Issues. Seventh Edition (USA: Thomson Wadsworth).
Evaluation
- Two absences from classes are allowed. Each subsequent absence requires the writing of a short paper on the topic covered in the class. Absence from more than half of the classes will result in failing the course.
- Students are required to write an essay inspired by one of the topics discussed in class. The topic should be consulted in advance with the lecturer (no later than April 29, 2025) and meet the appropriate editorial conditions (Times New Roman, font 12, leading max. 1.5, min. 4 typewritten pages, approximately 10,000 characters without spaces). Such work should be sent to the email address jakub.jakubowski@amu.edu.pl by May 6, 2025. The form of the written essay can be turned into a podcast (recording of about 15 minutes) or short movie (about 10 minutes).
