Contemporary political systems Field of study: National and International Security
Programme code: W3-N1BM19.2024

Module name: Contemporary political systems
Module code: W3-BM-N1-WSP
Programme code: W3-N1BM19.2024
Semester: winter semester 2025/2026
Language of instruction: Polish
Form of verification: exam
ECTS credits: 4
Purpose and description of the content of education:
the aim of the module is to familiarize students at an advanced level with the principles of functioning of selected political systems from a legal and constitutional perspective, to discuss the political position of the bodies and institutions constituting the political system (form of government, form of the state), as well as to present the issues of: electoral systems, political leadership in democratic systems , political and organizational structures of the Parliament, bicameralism, appointing and dismissing the government, decision-making processes (legislative proceedings), legislative role of the executive authorities, control function of the Parliament, control of law-making, constitutional justice, system of protection of guarantees of constitutional rights and individual freedoms (justice, ombudsman, constitutional complaint, protection of international courts), states of emergency, as well as issues of the territorial form of the state (federal state, unitary state, basic categories of modern decentralism: local government, territorial autonomy, structures of local government authorities).
List of modules that must be completed before starting this module (if necessary): not applicable
Learning outcome of the module Codes of the learning outcomes of the programme to which the learning outcome of the module is related [level of competence: scale 1-5]
has the competence to forecast the directions of changes in state structures resulting from megatrends (integration, globalization) and to assess the dynamics of changes in political systems critically [K01]
 BM_1_K04 [5/5]
recognizes and accepts different points of view, determined by various political, social and normative backgrounds, and can initiate activities for the public interest [K02]
 BM_1_K01 [5/5] BM_1_K02 [5/5]
can, by referring to systemic analysis, explain the complex relationships occurring between the supreme authorities in selected countries [U01]
 BM_1_U01 [5/5] BM_1_U02 [5/5]
is able to present and evaluate changes taking place in the structures of political systems and is able, using the acquired knowledge, to compare political systems [U02]
 BM_1_U01 [5/5] BM_1_U03 [3/5]
knows and understands at an advanced level the directions of political and social processes in historical and contemporary aspects in selected countries [W01]
 BM_1_W02 [5/5] BM_1_W03 [5/5]
defines and classifies the elements that make up the political system to an advanced degree and knows and understands the normative principles of the functioning of supreme bodies in selected countries [W02]
 BM_1_W01 [5/5] BM_1_W02 [5/5]
Form of teaching Number of hours Methods of conducting classes Assessment of the learning outcomes Learning outcomes
lecture [WSP_fs_1] 20 Formal lecture/ course-related lecture [a01] 
Lecture-discussion [b02] 
Activating methods: a case study [b07]  		exam U01 U02 W01 W02
practical classes [WSP_fs_2] 10 Activating method – discussion / debate [b04] 
Activating methods: a case study [b07] 
Activating method – flipped classroom [b09] 
Screen presentation [c07]  		course work K01 K02 U01 U02 W01 W02
The student's work, apart from participation in classes, includes in particular:
Name Category Description
Search for materials and review activities necessary for class participation [a01] Preparation for classes
reviewing literature, documentation, tools and materials as well as the specifics of the syllabus and the range of activities indicated in it as required for full participation in classes
Literature reading / analysis of source materials [a02] Preparation for classes
reading the literature indicated in the syllabus; reviewing, organizing, analyzing and selecting source materials to be used in class
Developing practical skills [a03] Preparation for classes
activities involving the repetition, refinement and consolidation of practical skills, including those developed during previous classes or new skills necessary for the implementation of subsequent elements of the curriculum (as preparation for class participation)
Getting acquainted with the syllabus content [b01] Consulting the curriculum and the organization of classes
reading through the syllabus and getting acquainted with its content
Verification / adjustment / discussion of syllabus provisions [b02] Consulting the curriculum and the organization of classes
consulting the content of the syllabus, possibly in the presence of the year tutor or members of the class group, and, if necessary, reassessing the provisions concerning special conditions for class participation, e.g., space and time requirements, technical and other requirements, including conditions for participation in classes outside the walls of the university, classes organized in blocks, organized online, etc.
Determining the stages of task implementation contributing to the verification of learning outcomes [c01] Preparation for verification of learning outcomes
devising a task implementation strategy embracing the division of content, the range of activities, implementation time and/or the method(s) of obtaining the necessary materials and tools, etc.
Implementation of an individual or group assignment necessary for course/phase/examination completion [c03] Preparation for verification of learning outcomes
a set of activities aimed at performing an assigned task, to be executed out of class, as an obligatory phase/element of the verification of the learning outcomes assigned to the course
Analysis of the corrective feedback provided by the academic teacher on the results of the verification of learning outcomes [d01] Consulting the results of the verification of learning outcomes
reading through the academic teacher’s comments, assessments and opinions on the implementation of the task aimed at checking the level of the achieved learning outcomes
Attachments
Module description (PDF)
Information concerning module syllabuses might be changed during studies.
Syllabuses (USOSweb)
Semester Module Language of instruction
(no information given)