Page 20 - OKOK

European Political Systems in a Comparative Perspective
Sylvia Kritzinger August 3 – August 14 4 ECTS credits

This course familiarizes students with the major theoretical, empirical and
substantive issues in contemporary European politics. First, the course
examines the different governmental institutions, electoral systems and
party systems across the member states of the European Union and their
impact on political processes and the society. Second, it focuses on the
different social cleavages in these political systems and their changes over
time. Third, the course analyzes the recent electoral behavior of the Euro-
pean electorate both in national and European Parliament elections and its
repercussions on European party systems. The course aims at deepening S. Kritzinger
the understanding of the main debates in contemporary European politics
using a comparative approach.

Requirements: Performance will be assessed on the basis of attendance
and participation in class discussions (20%), a role play taking different
party positions and government negotiations into account (40%), and a
written final exam (40%).

Without any doubts it is a great opportunity
to combine both: studies and entertainment.
The knowledge I received at the Sommer-
hochschule was really useful and helped me
to better understand the European Union’s
structures and functioning. In addition, I
built a network of friends throughout the
world and learnt a lot about different count-
ries and cultures.

Irina Guban, Moldova

18