Course: Spatial analysis of elections

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Course title Spatial analysis of elections
Course code KPOL/N201
Organizational form of instruction Lecture + Seminary
Level of course Master
Year of study not specified
Semester Winter and summer
Number of ECTS credits 4
Language of instruction Czech
Status of course Compulsory-optional
Form of instruction Face-to-face
Work placements This is not an internship
Recommended optional programme components None
Lecturer(s)
  • Maškarinec Pavel, doc. Mgr. Ph.D.
Course content
1. Introduction to the study, acquaintance with the literature and requirements for completing the course. 2. Data collection, specifics of spatial data, limits of the use of spatial data in the analysis of voter behavior. 3. Methods and techniques of research of spatial analysis of elections I: creation of maps (GIS). 4. Research methods and techniques of spatial analysis of elections II: data analysis (spatial autocorrelation, spatial regression, GWR, etc.). 5. Regionalization of voter turnout in the Czech Republic. 6. Regionalization of electoral support in the elections to the Chamber of Deputies of the Parliament of the Czech Republic. 7. Regionalization of electoral support in regional elections in the Czech Republic. 8. Regionalization of electoral support in elections to the European Parliament. 9. Regionalization of electoral support in the presidential elections in the Czech Republic. 10. Regionalization of electoral support in elections to the Senate of the Czech Republic. 11. Nationalization of party systems - national level. 12. Analysis of election competition using graphical methods (Nagayama's segmented diagrams, simplex representations, etc.). 13. Final seminar and credit.

Learning activities and teaching methods
unspecified, unspecified, unspecified, unspecified, unspecified
Learning outcomes
The aim of the course is to acquaint students with the research of the spatial component of voter support of political parties in a multilevel perspective, i.e., not only at the national but also at the regional or local level of government and at the same time in the relationship between these levels. During the course, students will get acquainted and gain the ability to work with more advanced quantitative techniques of spatial data analysis (spatial autocorrelation, spatial regression, Nagayama segmented diagrams, simplex representations, etc.), which will allow them to understand and interpret why and how election competition works at the national level, but will also understand the spatial aspects of electoral competition or the nationalization of electoral competition in various electoral arenas (national, regional, local).
The student is able to use advanced quantitative techniques of spatial data analysis. The student understands and is able to interpret the functioning of electoral competition at the national level, but also the spatial aspects of electoral competition in various electoral arenas (national, regional, local).
Prerequisites
None

Assessment methods and criteria
unspecified
To successfully complete the course, active participation in discussions during seminars, a paper presenting the results of own research, seminar work based on the topic of the presentation.
Recommended literature
  • ANSELIN, L. Exploring Spatial Data with GeoDaTM: A Workbook. Urbana-Champaign, 2005.
  • FOTHERINGHAM, A. S. ? ROGERSON, P. A. The SAGE Handbook of Spatial Analysis. London, 2009.
  • KOSTELECKÝ, T. ? MIKEŠOVÁ, R. ? POLÁKOVÁ, M. ? ČERMÁK, D. ? BERNARD, J. ? ŠIMON, M. Geografie výsledků parlamentních voleb: Vzorce volebního chování v Česku 1992?2013. Praha, 2015.
  • WARF, B. ? LEIB, J. 2011, eds. Revitalizing electoral geography. Ashgate, 2011.


Study plans that include the course
Faculty Study plan (Version) Category of Branch/Specialization Recommended year of study Recommended semester