Introduction to Political Science (The Hague)
Description
The course Introduction to Political Science provides a general but systematic overview of the theoretical approaches, research areas, research design and research methods used in political science to study national, international, supranational and transnational politics. It serves as the first introductory course to the science behind political science. The course is thus the foundation for later science-oriented courses such as research methods, statistics, qualitative methods, research design, and data analysis, cumulating in students’ ability to design and conduct independent research in the final phase of the political science bachelor.
Some important questions addressed in this course are: what is politics? What is political science? What do political scientists do? What is a theory and what is it good for? What are the various theoretical approaches (including normative, behaviouralist, institutionalist, rational choice, constructivist, feminist and Marxist theories) used by political scientists? What are the strengths and weaknesses of these theoretical approaches? What are important considerations when it comes to the different research designs and methods used for answering theoretically informed questions about politics? What is, or should be, the relevance of political science?
The course also includes academic skills working groups in which students enhance their ability to analyze, critically assess, develop, and present academic and non-academic arguments, while at the same time improving their fluency in the theories and concepts introduced during the lectures.
Course objectives
1. To provide a general but systematic overview of the most important theoretical approaches, research areas, research designs and research methods used in political science.
2. To develop the ability to compare, and reflect on, the most important theoretical approaches, research areas, research designs and research methods in political science.
3. To acquire the skill to analyze and evaluate arguments.
4. To acquire the skill to develop a good argument themselves and to present arguments properly both orally and written.
Methods of Instruction
Lectures and working groups
Study Material Lectures
Lowndes, V., March, D., & Stocker, G. (eds.). (2018). Theory and Methods in Political Science (fourth edition). Palgrave MacMillan. (available as e-book)
A selection of journal articles and/or book chapters, available from the Leiden University digital library (listed in the syllabus which will be posted on Brightspace prior to the start of the course).
Study Materials Working Groups
Weston, A. (2018). A rulebook for arguments (fifth edition). Hackett. (available as e-book)
A selection of journal articles and/or book chapters, available from the digital library of the University (listed in the syllabus which will be posted on Brightspace prior to the start of the course).
Assessment Methods
Final exam (all open questions), worth 60% of final course grade as well as working group assignments and participation, worth 40% of final course grade.
The grade for the working groups is the weighted average of two written assignments (both counting for 40% of the working group grade) and a participation grade (counting for 20% of the working group grade).
The time and location of inspection and debriefing of the final exam will be announced via Brightspace no later than the publication of the grades.
Registration
See 'Practical Information'
Timetable - courses and exams
See 'MyTimetable'