ITA | ENG
B026832 - THEORIES AND PRACTICE OF LOBBYING
Main information
Teaching Language
Course Content
Suggested readings
Learning Objectives
Prerequisites
Teaching Methods
Further information
Type of Assessment
Course program
Academic Year 2021-22
Course year
Second year - First Semester
Belonging Department
Political and Social Sciences (DSPS)
Course Type
Single education field course
Scientific Area
SPS/04 - POLITICAL SCIENCE
Credits
6
Teaching Hours
42
Teaching Term
20/09/2021 ⇒ 10/12/2021
Attendance required
No
Type of Evaluation
Final Grade
Course Content
show
Course program
show
Lectureship
Mutuality
Course teached as:
B030751 - INTEREST GROUPS POLITICS
Second Cycle Degree in POLITICS, INSTITUTIONS AND MARKET
Curriculum ISTITUZIONI E LOBBYING
B030751 - INTEREST GROUPS POLITICS
Second Cycle Degree in POLITICS, INSTITUTIONS AND MARKET
Curriculum ISTITUZIONI E LOBBYING
Teaching Language
English
Course Content
According to the literature on democracy, interest groups are defined as important channels of societal representation and key actors for effective problem-solving and the implementation of legislation. Moving from these premises, the course aims to analyze the role of interest groups' lobbying activities across institutional branches and policy-making stages, with a focus on EU supranational decision-making.
Suggested readings (Search our library's catalogue)
Please pay attention to attendance requirements and variations in curricula due to the number of credits (6 or 9 credits) attributed by your course.
9 credits
Bibliography for attending students (presence during online classes + seminar-based activities, see evaluation procedures) _9cfu:
a) Mandatory readings (all available in the library)
1. Lelieveldt H and Princen S (2015) The Politics of the European Union. 2nd ed. Cambridge University Press
2. Greenwood, J (2017) (4th edtn.) Interest Representation in the European Union Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan
3. Sandra Kröger (2016), Europeanised or European? Representation by Civil Society Organisations in EU Policy-Making, ECPR Press.
Suggested reading for Italian speaking students: ANDREA PRITONI (2021), Politica e interessi - il Mulino.
b) Suggestions for additional reading and online resources will be provided during the course
Bibliography for Non-Attending Students_9credits:
Mandatory readings (all available in the library or online through your university account)
1. Lelieveldt H and Princen S (2015) The Politics of the European Union. 2nd ed. Cambridge University Press
2. Greenwood, J (2017) (4th edtn.) Interest Representation in the European Union (Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan
3. Sandra Kröger (2016), Europeanised or European? Representation by Civil Society Organisations in EU Policy-Making, ECPR Press.
4. Hanegraaff, Marcel (2019), Whose Side are You on? Explaining the Extent to Which National Interest Groups Support States in Global Politics, JCMS: Journal of Common Market Studies, 57(3), 563-579, 2019
5. Rainer Eising, Daniel Rasch & Patrycja Rozbicka (2017) National interest organisations in EU policy-making, West European Politics, 40:5, 939-956.
6 credits
Bibliography for Attending students (presence during online classes + seminar-based activities see evaluation procedures)_ 6CFU
a) Mandatory readings (all available in the library)
1. Greenwood, J (2017) (4th edtn.) Interest Representation in the European Union (Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan)
2. Sandra Kröger (2016), Europeanised or European? Representation by Civil Society Organisations in EU Policy-Making, ECPR Press.
Suggested reading for Italian speaking students: ANDREA PRITONI (2021), Politica e interessi - il Mulino.
b) Suggestions for additional reading and online resources will be provided during the course
Bibliography for Non-Attending Students_6 credits:
Mandatory readings (all available in the library or online through your university account)
1. Greenwood, J (2017) (4th edtn.) Interest Representation in the European Union (Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan3.
2. Sandra Kröger (2016), Europeanised or European? Representation by Civil Society Organisations in EU Policy-Making, ECPR Press.
9 credits
Bibliography for attending students (presence during online classes + seminar-based activities, see evaluation procedures) _9cfu:
a) Mandatory readings (all available in the library)
1. Lelieveldt H and Princen S (2015) The Politics of the European Union. 2nd ed. Cambridge University Press
2. Greenwood, J (2017) (4th edtn.) Interest Representation in the European Union Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan
3. Sandra Kröger (2016), Europeanised or European? Representation by Civil Society Organisations in EU Policy-Making, ECPR Press.
Suggested reading for Italian speaking students: ANDREA PRITONI (2021), Politica e interessi - il Mulino.
b) Suggestions for additional reading and online resources will be provided during the course
Bibliography for Non-Attending Students_9credits:
Mandatory readings (all available in the library or online through your university account)
1. Lelieveldt H and Princen S (2015) The Politics of the European Union. 2nd ed. Cambridge University Press
2. Greenwood, J (2017) (4th edtn.) Interest Representation in the European Union (Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan
3. Sandra Kröger (2016), Europeanised or European? Representation by Civil Society Organisations in EU Policy-Making, ECPR Press.
4. Hanegraaff, Marcel (2019), Whose Side are You on? Explaining the Extent to Which National Interest Groups Support States in Global Politics, JCMS: Journal of Common Market Studies, 57(3), 563-579, 2019
5. Rainer Eising, Daniel Rasch & Patrycja Rozbicka (2017) National interest organisations in EU policy-making, West European Politics, 40:5, 939-956.
6 credits
Bibliography for Attending students (presence during online classes + seminar-based activities see evaluation procedures)_ 6CFU
a) Mandatory readings (all available in the library)
1. Greenwood, J (2017) (4th edtn.) Interest Representation in the European Union (Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan)
2. Sandra Kröger (2016), Europeanised or European? Representation by Civil Society Organisations in EU Policy-Making, ECPR Press.
Suggested reading for Italian speaking students: ANDREA PRITONI (2021), Politica e interessi - il Mulino.
b) Suggestions for additional reading and online resources will be provided during the course
Bibliography for Non-Attending Students_6 credits:
Mandatory readings (all available in the library or online through your university account)
1. Greenwood, J (2017) (4th edtn.) Interest Representation in the European Union (Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan3.
2. Sandra Kröger (2016), Europeanised or European? Representation by Civil Society Organisations in EU Policy-Making, ECPR Press.
Learning Objectives
By the end of the course, students will be able to:
- distinguish the different types of interest groups, their organization and features of their collective action
- explain the contributions of interest groups at different stages of the policymaking cycle
illustrate the distinctiveness of lobbying in the EU policy process
- critically review and evaluate contemporary studies about national and supranational decision-making, with a special focus on the strategies of lobbying actors
- present concisely academic theories and arguments both in writing and orally
- distinguish the different types of interest groups, their organization and features of their collective action
- explain the contributions of interest groups at different stages of the policymaking cycle
illustrate the distinctiveness of lobbying in the EU policy process
- critically review and evaluate contemporary studies about national and supranational decision-making, with a special focus on the strategies of lobbying actors
- present concisely academic theories and arguments both in writing and orally
Prerequisites
• Good writing and communication skills in English
• Sound knowledge of EU policymaking and EU policies. An introduction to the main concepts and theories in EU politics and policies will be provided during the first module. This is mandatory for students requiring 9 CFU but the video recording of the lecture can also be requested by 6-CFU students (please contact the instructors if interested)
• Sound knowledge of comparative politics
• Sound knowledge of EU policymaking and EU policies. An introduction to the main concepts and theories in EU politics and policies will be provided during the first module. This is mandatory for students requiring 9 CFU but the video recording of the lecture can also be requested by 6-CFU students (please contact the instructors if interested)
• Sound knowledge of comparative politics
Teaching Methods
The course consists of lectures and seminars. There will be three lectures per week.
Active students are required two in-class presentations on core topics and readings provided by the two instructors. This in-class activity will count for up to 50% of the final grade
Active students are required two in-class presentations on core topics and readings provided by the two instructors. This in-class activity will count for up to 50% of the final grade
Further information
Please be aware that two distinct evaluation procedures apply based on whether you are an attending or non-attending student
Type of Assessment
Please be aware that two distinct evaluation procedures apply based on whether you are an attending or non-attending student
Procedure A - 9 credits
Target: NON-ATTENDING STUDENTS
Evaluation Module 1 (10 out of 30 points)
Written exam based on the list of compulsory readings (2 open questions to be answered during a 40min written exam)
Lelieveldt H and Princen S (2015)
Evaluation Modules 2 & 3. Two steps
Step 1: One minimum 5000-maximum 6000-word paper (including references, tables, etc.) Evaluation: up to 10 points.
Rules for the submission of the paper:
The topic of the paper should be agreed with the instructors. The paper is due 10 days before the date of the exam in electronic format. Penalties for late submission (applicable to all students): 1 point for every working day after the deadline. Papers submitted more than 5 working days late will not be assessed. If your paper does not respect word limits, points will be deducted. Note that the paper is supposed to comply with the basic requirements of an academic research paper: clear identification of a research question or thesis that the student seeks to support through the use of both primary and secondary sources. Moreover, each paper is expected to provide a critical assessment of the literature (evaluation of the arguments provided, biases, points of contention). It is expected to mention at least 5 scientific sources.
Students are strongly invited to contact and seek advice from the instructor before and during the preparation of the paper.
Step 2: Oral exam based on the list of compulsory readings (3 open questions). Submission of the paper (step 1) is a mandatory condition to the oral exam. The submission deadline is 10 days before the date of the oral exam.
Evaluation: up to 10 points.
Total evaluation Modules 2&3: up to 20 out 30 points. Laude to be awarded for outstanding writing skills and/or argumentation during the oral exam.
PROCEDURE B (Target: ATTENDING STUDENTS)_ 9 credits
Criteria for being considered an attending student:
Participation (at least 75%) to in-class (online if applicable) activities + two in-class presentations (see below)
Evaluation Module 1 (10 out of 30 points)
In-class exercises
Evaluation Modules 2 & 3 (20 out of 30 points, up to 12 points for in class activities + up to 8 points for the paper at home). Lode to be awarded for outstanding participation in class and/or writing skills.)
2 individual or group presentations (in class activities) + 1 paper at home
In class activities to be evaluated
1 critical analysis based on 2 of texts/podcasts discussed during the seminar activities (to be provided at the beginning of the Module 2). Technical details: maximum 2500 words, bibliography included.
Evaluation: up to 5 points.
1 powerpoint presentation and Q&A session (15-20 minutes) on a IGs dossier (identification of the context, actors, institutional entry points, strategies applied, output).
Evaluation: up to 5 points.
Participation in class discussion & seminars -> up to 2 points
Tips to become a successful attending student
Ask yourself these questions:
Did I attend the online class?
Was I adequately prepared to participate in the discussion/activity?
Did I make contributions that added to everyone's understanding of the subject?
Did I facilitate other people's participation?
Did I take care not to dominate the discussion?
Total in class activities: 12p.
Activity at home to be evaluated
1 maximum 5000-word paper (including references, tables, etc.) based on the powerpoint presentation. The submission deadline is 10 days before the official date of the exam.
Evaluation: up to 8 points
Procedure C - 6 credits
Target: NON-ATTENDING STUDENTS
Evaluation Modules 2 & 3. Two steps
Step 1: One minimum 5000-maximum 6000-word paper (including references, tables, etc.) Evaluation: up to 15 points.
Rules for the submission of the paper:
The topic of the paper should be agreed with the instructors. The paper is due 10 days before the date of the exam in electronic format. Penalties for late submission (applicable to all students): 1 point for every working day after the deadline. Papers submitted more than 5 working days late will not be assessed. If your paper does not respect word limits, points will be deducted. Note that the paper is supposed to comply with the basic requirements of an academic research paper: clear identification of a research question or thesis that the student seeks to support through the use of both primary and secondary sources. Moreover, each paper is expected to provide a critical assessment of the literature (evaluation of the arguments provided, biases, points of contention). It is expected to mention at least 5 scientific sources.
Students are strongly invited to contact and seek advice from the instructor before and during the preparation of the paper.
Step 2: Oral exam based on the list of compulsory readings (2 open questions). Submission of the paper (step 1) is a mandatory condition to the oral exam. The submission deadline is 10 days before the date of the oral exam.
Evaluation: up to 15 points.
Total evaluation Modules 2&3: up to 30 points. Laude to be awarded for outstanding writing skills and/or argumentation during the oral exam.
PROCEDURE D (Target: ATTENDING STUDENTS)_ 6 credits
Criteria for being considered an attending student:
Participation (at least 75%) to in-class (online if applicable) activities + two in-class presentations (see below)
Evaluation Modules 2 & 3 (up to 20 points for in class activities + up to 10 points for the paper at home). Lode to be awarded for outstanding participation in class and/or writing skills.)
2 individual or group presentations (in class activities) + 1 paper at home
In class activities to be evaluated
1 critical analysis based on 2 of texts/podcasts discussed during the seminar activities (to be provided at the beginning of the Module 2). Technical details: maximum 2500 words, bibliography included.
Evaluation: up to 10 points.
1 powerpoint presentation and Q&A session (15-20 minutes) on a IGs dossier (identification of the context, actors, institutional entry points, strategies applied, output).
Evaluation: up to 10 points.
Participation in class discussion & seminars -> up to 2 points
Tips to become a successful attending student
Ask yourself these questions:
Did I attend the online class?
Was I adequately prepared to participate in the discussion/activity?
Did I make contributions that added to everyone's understanding of the subject?
Did I facilitate other people's participation?
Did I take care not to dominate the discussion?
Total in class activities: 20p.
Activity at home to be evaluated
1 maximum 5000-word paper (including references, tables, etc.) based on the powerpoint presentation. The submission deadline is 10 days before the official date of the exam.
Evaluation: up to 10 points
Procedure A - 9 credits
Target: NON-ATTENDING STUDENTS
Evaluation Module 1 (10 out of 30 points)
Written exam based on the list of compulsory readings (2 open questions to be answered during a 40min written exam)
Lelieveldt H and Princen S (2015)
Evaluation Modules 2 & 3. Two steps
Step 1: One minimum 5000-maximum 6000-word paper (including references, tables, etc.) Evaluation: up to 10 points.
Rules for the submission of the paper:
The topic of the paper should be agreed with the instructors. The paper is due 10 days before the date of the exam in electronic format. Penalties for late submission (applicable to all students): 1 point for every working day after the deadline. Papers submitted more than 5 working days late will not be assessed. If your paper does not respect word limits, points will be deducted. Note that the paper is supposed to comply with the basic requirements of an academic research paper: clear identification of a research question or thesis that the student seeks to support through the use of both primary and secondary sources. Moreover, each paper is expected to provide a critical assessment of the literature (evaluation of the arguments provided, biases, points of contention). It is expected to mention at least 5 scientific sources.
Students are strongly invited to contact and seek advice from the instructor before and during the preparation of the paper.
Step 2: Oral exam based on the list of compulsory readings (3 open questions). Submission of the paper (step 1) is a mandatory condition to the oral exam. The submission deadline is 10 days before the date of the oral exam.
Evaluation: up to 10 points.
Total evaluation Modules 2&3: up to 20 out 30 points. Laude to be awarded for outstanding writing skills and/or argumentation during the oral exam.
PROCEDURE B (Target: ATTENDING STUDENTS)_ 9 credits
Criteria for being considered an attending student:
Participation (at least 75%) to in-class (online if applicable) activities + two in-class presentations (see below)
Evaluation Module 1 (10 out of 30 points)
In-class exercises
Evaluation Modules 2 & 3 (20 out of 30 points, up to 12 points for in class activities + up to 8 points for the paper at home). Lode to be awarded for outstanding participation in class and/or writing skills.)
2 individual or group presentations (in class activities) + 1 paper at home
In class activities to be evaluated
1 critical analysis based on 2 of texts/podcasts discussed during the seminar activities (to be provided at the beginning of the Module 2). Technical details: maximum 2500 words, bibliography included.
Evaluation: up to 5 points.
1 powerpoint presentation and Q&A session (15-20 minutes) on a IGs dossier (identification of the context, actors, institutional entry points, strategies applied, output).
Evaluation: up to 5 points.
Participation in class discussion & seminars -> up to 2 points
Tips to become a successful attending student
Ask yourself these questions:
Did I attend the online class?
Was I adequately prepared to participate in the discussion/activity?
Did I make contributions that added to everyone's understanding of the subject?
Did I facilitate other people's participation?
Did I take care not to dominate the discussion?
Total in class activities: 12p.
Activity at home to be evaluated
1 maximum 5000-word paper (including references, tables, etc.) based on the powerpoint presentation. The submission deadline is 10 days before the official date of the exam.
Evaluation: up to 8 points
Procedure C - 6 credits
Target: NON-ATTENDING STUDENTS
Evaluation Modules 2 & 3. Two steps
Step 1: One minimum 5000-maximum 6000-word paper (including references, tables, etc.) Evaluation: up to 15 points.
Rules for the submission of the paper:
The topic of the paper should be agreed with the instructors. The paper is due 10 days before the date of the exam in electronic format. Penalties for late submission (applicable to all students): 1 point for every working day after the deadline. Papers submitted more than 5 working days late will not be assessed. If your paper does not respect word limits, points will be deducted. Note that the paper is supposed to comply with the basic requirements of an academic research paper: clear identification of a research question or thesis that the student seeks to support through the use of both primary and secondary sources. Moreover, each paper is expected to provide a critical assessment of the literature (evaluation of the arguments provided, biases, points of contention). It is expected to mention at least 5 scientific sources.
Students are strongly invited to contact and seek advice from the instructor before and during the preparation of the paper.
Step 2: Oral exam based on the list of compulsory readings (2 open questions). Submission of the paper (step 1) is a mandatory condition to the oral exam. The submission deadline is 10 days before the date of the oral exam.
Evaluation: up to 15 points.
Total evaluation Modules 2&3: up to 30 points. Laude to be awarded for outstanding writing skills and/or argumentation during the oral exam.
PROCEDURE D (Target: ATTENDING STUDENTS)_ 6 credits
Criteria for being considered an attending student:
Participation (at least 75%) to in-class (online if applicable) activities + two in-class presentations (see below)
Evaluation Modules 2 & 3 (up to 20 points for in class activities + up to 10 points for the paper at home). Lode to be awarded for outstanding participation in class and/or writing skills.)
2 individual or group presentations (in class activities) + 1 paper at home
In class activities to be evaluated
1 critical analysis based on 2 of texts/podcasts discussed during the seminar activities (to be provided at the beginning of the Module 2). Technical details: maximum 2500 words, bibliography included.
Evaluation: up to 10 points.
1 powerpoint presentation and Q&A session (15-20 minutes) on a IGs dossier (identification of the context, actors, institutional entry points, strategies applied, output).
Evaluation: up to 10 points.
Participation in class discussion & seminars -> up to 2 points
Tips to become a successful attending student
Ask yourself these questions:
Did I attend the online class?
Was I adequately prepared to participate in the discussion/activity?
Did I make contributions that added to everyone's understanding of the subject?
Did I facilitate other people's participation?
Did I take care not to dominate the discussion?
Total in class activities: 20p.
Activity at home to be evaluated
1 maximum 5000-word paper (including references, tables, etc.) based on the powerpoint presentation. The submission deadline is 10 days before the official date of the exam.
Evaluation: up to 10 points
Course program
Module 1 (3 credits)
Studying EU integration and policy-making
An introduction to EU institutions
Citizens, public opinion and political parties
An introduction to EU policies
The stage of EU Agenda-setting
Policy formulation and decision-making in the EU
Implementation and evaluation in the EU
Modules 2 & 3 (6 credits)
Introduction to academic writing
Introduction: concepts, methods.
The variety of interests in Europe
EU interest representation
The Regulation of Lobbying (national and EU level)
Civil society and interest groups
Business interest groups
In-depth study of a successful form of environmental activism: Mining activism (business lobbying, environmental organizations, public institutions): the Case of Rosia Montana
Conclusions: Q&A, comment
Studying EU integration and policy-making
An introduction to EU institutions
Citizens, public opinion and political parties
An introduction to EU policies
The stage of EU Agenda-setting
Policy formulation and decision-making in the EU
Implementation and evaluation in the EU
Modules 2 & 3 (6 credits)
Introduction to academic writing
Introduction: concepts, methods.
The variety of interests in Europe
EU interest representation
The Regulation of Lobbying (national and EU level)
Civil society and interest groups
Business interest groups
In-depth study of a successful form of environmental activism: Mining activism (business lobbying, environmental organizations, public institutions): the Case of Rosia Montana
Conclusions: Q&A, comment