ID:
500016
Duration (hours):
40
CFU:
6
SSD:
SCIENZA POLITICA
Year:
2025
Overview
Date/time interval
Secondo Semestre (23/02/2026 - 29/05/2026)
Syllabus
Course Objectives
The general objective of the course is to interpret administrative phenomenon.
Students achieve, in particular, five skills:
1. how to master analytical tools of public administrations seen as organizations
2. how to recognize administrations as an important aspect of political power
3. learn about administrative reforms
4. how to acknowledge administrations seen as actors in the formulation and implementation of public policies
5. learn to question the administrative system in Italy with comparative categories.
Students achieve, in particular, five skills:
1. how to master analytical tools of public administrations seen as organizations
2. how to recognize administrations as an important aspect of political power
3. learn about administrative reforms
4. how to acknowledge administrations seen as actors in the formulation and implementation of public policies
5. learn to question the administrative system in Italy with comparative categories.
Course Prerequisites
The course teaches basic concepts and methods on the administrative phenomenon. There are no formal requirements. A basic knowledge of political science and sociology is recommended
Teaching Methods
During the lessons, slides (power points) are projected and made available to the students. Students are required to debate with the teacher. Gamification revives the classroom debate. The Kiro multimedia platform is an additional tool for interaction between teachers and students. Administrative officials (Dr. Tiziana Alti, Dr. Edoardo Pregnolato, Dr. Flavia Zappa Leccisotti) and professors of administrative science (Prof. Rosalba Chiarini, Prof. Marco Di Giulio, Prof. Renata Lizzi, connected remotely) cooperate in the teaching.
For students who have obtained the certification required by the University for particular inclusive needs (https://portale.unipv.it/it/didattica/servizi-lo-studente/modalita-didattiche-inclusive) a specific online reception will be guaranteed.
For students who have obtained the certification required by the University for particular inclusive needs (https://portale.unipv.it/it/didattica/servizi-lo-studente/modalita-didattiche-inclusive) a specific online reception will be guaranteed.
Assessment Methods
The test is oral and verifies the acquisition of the following skills: 1. Knowledge of foundations of political science and sociology applied to administrations 2. Basic knowledge of the Italian administrative system and ongoing reforms 3. Ability to recognize different aspects of power in administrative phenomena 3. Ability to observe administrations from multiple perspectives, using different theories and methods. 4. Analysis, synthesis and argumentation skills.
Texts
All study materials are available on the Kiro platform.
Contents
The "administrative state" is an aspect of the modern state. European liberal-democracies evolve based on mass political participation (party bureaucracies) in a polyarchic regime. During the twentieth century, the public administration (state bureaucracies) expands, articulates, decentralizes and changes nature, while performing the functions of a Welfare state. Since the 1980s, the transformations of the international system have supported administrative reforms that affect both the size and the nature of the administrative system.
The course focuses on public administration and power.
Public administration is the daily management of political power (Max Weber); external politically influential powers has an influence over its objectives (Philip Selznick); it is characterized by internal power relations (Michel Crozier); it is permeated with decisions (Herbert Simon) and produces public decisions. These references exemplify the relevance of the power dimension in the study of public administrations.
The course is concerned with both the internal and external aspects of the power of administrations. On each side it observes both the dimension of politics ("power games") and the dimension of policy (decision making and implementation of public policies).
In short the course investigates public administrations:
1. in power games and internal decisions within the organization;
2. in power relations that involve administrators and the political class;
3. as an issue for reform in itself (administrative reforms);
4. as a actor of public policies (which it formulates and implements).
For each of these aspects some basic conceptual tools will be offered.
The course consists of two parts.
In its second part the course makes use of the collaboration of external teachers to explore some relevant and current themes: administrative transparency, digitalisation process, technocracy, ability to manage emergencies.
1. The administrative official Dr. Tiziana Alti will discuss the topic "Implementation of administrative transparency in Italian public administrations".
2. The administrative official (and a former student of this course) Dr. Edoardo Pregnolato, will discuss the topic "The PNRR and the digitalisation process of Italian public administrations".
3. The administrative official Dr. Flavia Zappa Leccisotti will cover the topic: Cybersecurity in the Italian Public Administration.
4. Professor Rosalba Chiarini will investigate the effects of administrative reforms in a lecture entitled: “Organization theory and public administrations. Reforms of the relationship between politics and administration”.
5. Professor Renata Lizzi will conduct a comparative analysis of emergency management with a lesson entitled: "Politics and administration in government/emergency management/disasters: a comparison at a local level".
6. Professor Marco Di Giulio will conduct a lecture titled: "The concept of efficiency between science and ideology. The American debate from Frederick Taylor to Elon Musk".
The course focuses on public administration and power.
Public administration is the daily management of political power (Max Weber); external politically influential powers has an influence over its objectives (Philip Selznick); it is characterized by internal power relations (Michel Crozier); it is permeated with decisions (Herbert Simon) and produces public decisions. These references exemplify the relevance of the power dimension in the study of public administrations.
The course is concerned with both the internal and external aspects of the power of administrations. On each side it observes both the dimension of politics ("power games") and the dimension of policy (decision making and implementation of public policies).
In short the course investigates public administrations:
1. in power games and internal decisions within the organization;
2. in power relations that involve administrators and the political class;
3. as an issue for reform in itself (administrative reforms);
4. as a actor of public policies (which it formulates and implements).
For each of these aspects some basic conceptual tools will be offered.
The course consists of two parts.
In its second part the course makes use of the collaboration of external teachers to explore some relevant and current themes: administrative transparency, digitalisation process, technocracy, ability to manage emergencies.
1. The administrative official Dr. Tiziana Alti will discuss the topic "Implementation of administrative transparency in Italian public administrations".
2. The administrative official (and a former student of this course) Dr. Edoardo Pregnolato, will discuss the topic "The PNRR and the digitalisation process of Italian public administrations".
3. The administrative official Dr. Flavia Zappa Leccisotti will cover the topic: Cybersecurity in the Italian Public Administration.
4. Professor Rosalba Chiarini will investigate the effects of administrative reforms in a lecture entitled: “Organization theory and public administrations. Reforms of the relationship between politics and administration”.
5. Professor Renata Lizzi will conduct a comparative analysis of emergency management with a lesson entitled: "Politics and administration in government/emergency management/disasters: a comparison at a local level".
6. Professor Marco Di Giulio will conduct a lecture titled: "The concept of efficiency between science and ideology. The American debate from Frederick Taylor to Elon Musk".
Course Language
Italian
More information
All information can be found on the Kiro multimedia platform.
Degrees
Degrees
POLITICAL SCIENCE AND INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
Bachelor’s Degree
3 years
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