Universität Wien

210084 SE BAK13: SE State Activity, Policy and Governance Analyses (2018S)

Individual preferences and collective decision-making (engl.)

6.00 ECTS (2.00 SWS), SPL 21 - Politikwissenschaft
Continuous assessment of course work

A registration via u:space during the registration phase is required. Late registrations are NOT possible.
Students who miss the first lesson without prior notification will lose their seat in the course.

Follow the principles of good scientific practice.

The course instructor may invite students to an oral exam about the student’s written contributions in the course. Plagiarized contributions have the consequence that the course won’t be graded (instead the course will be marked with an ‘X’ in the transcript of records).

Registration/Deregistration

Note: The time of your registration within the registration period has no effect on the allocation of places (no first come, first served).

Details

max. 50 participants
Language: English

Lecturers

Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N

  • Tuesday 06.03. 13:15 - 14:45 Hörsaal 1 (H1), NIG 2.Stock
  • Tuesday 13.03. 13:15 - 14:45 Hörsaal 1 (H1), NIG 2.Stock
  • Tuesday 20.03. 13:15 - 14:45 Hörsaal 1 (H1), NIG 2.Stock
  • Tuesday 10.04. 13:15 - 14:45 Hörsaal 1 (H1), NIG 2.Stock
  • Tuesday 17.04. 13:15 - 14:45 Hörsaal 1 (H1), NIG 2.Stock
  • Tuesday 24.04. 13:15 - 14:45 Hörsaal 1 (H1), NIG 2.Stock
  • Tuesday 08.05. 13:15 - 14:45 Hörsaal 1 (H1), NIG 2.Stock
  • Tuesday 15.05. 13:15 - 14:45 Hörsaal 1 (H1), NIG 2.Stock
  • Tuesday 29.05. 13:15 - 14:45 Hörsaal 1 (H1), NIG 2.Stock
  • Tuesday 05.06. 13:15 - 14:45 Hörsaal 1 (H1), NIG 2.Stock
  • Tuesday 12.06. 13:15 - 14:45 Hörsaal 1 (H1), NIG 2.Stock
  • Tuesday 19.06. 13:15 - 14:45 Hörsaal 1 (H1), NIG 2.Stock
  • Tuesday 26.06. 13:15 - 14:45 Hörsaal 1 (H1), NIG 2.Stock

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

Please note: The focus in thes seminar is on analzying politics. The course format and tasks (including assignments) may be different from what you know from other PolSci seminars.

In this seminar, we deal with theories of collective choice. Collective decision-making is an essential element of politics. Politicians and citizens form and express preferences and then decide collectively in elections, referenda, in parliament and in the cabinet. Social choice theory shows the problems and pitfalls when individual preferences lead to collective choices. These decisions may be vulnerable to cycling majorities and strategic voting. Moreover, institutions (e.g. electoral systems) often matter for the actual outcome. We discuss the major results of this literature and illustrate them using empirical examples.

Assessment and permitted materials

In addition to attendance in class, there are three major assignments: an essay (final term paper; submitted until 31 July 2018; 50%), participation in class (30%), and an oral presentation (20%). As an additional minimal requirement, students have to hand in four of the weekly assignments.

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

You can only pass if certain minimal requirements (oral presentation held, four weekly assignments submitted in time, attendance, and submission of essay in time) are fulfilled.

Examination topics

The seminar is mostly based on Shepsle's book (see below).

Reading list

Shepsle, Kenneth A. (2010) Analyzing Politics. 2nd ed. New York: W.W. Norton & Company.

Association in the course directory

Last modified: Mo 07.09.2020 15:38