Description
The course builds on the introductory courses already offered in the first year. It provides a general but systematic overview of the most important theoretical approaches, research areas, research designs and research methods used in political science.
Some important questions 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 some of the main theoretical approaches (including normative, behaviouralist, (neo-)institutionalist, rational choice, constructivist, feminist, and Marxists) used by political scientists? What are the strengths and weakness of these theoretical approaches? What are important considerations when it comes to the different research designs and research methods used for answering theoretically informed questions about politics?
The course also includes academic skills working groups that focus on improving students’ ability to critically analyse political science research, and on understanding how studies undertaken on the same topic but using different theoretical and methodological approaches can be placed in dialogue with one another. The discussion and assessment of these different approaches to political science research during the working groups will aid in deepening students’ understanding and knowledge of these topics.
Course objectives
1. To provide a systematic overview of the most important theoretical approaches and research areas in political science.
2. To introduce students to the research designs, methods and techniques used by political science to study the political process.
3. To improve students’ ability to critically analyse multiple texts, placing them in dialogue with one another.
Methods of Instruction
Lectures and working groups
Working group coordinator: T.E.C. Scarff MSc
Study Material Lectures
Book: Political Theory Methods and Approaches, Lowndes, March & Stoker (4th edition).
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).
Study Materials Working Groups
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
60% final exam
40% work group assignments and participation
The final grade for the work groups is the weighted average of two assignments (each counting for 40% of the grade) and a participation grade (counting for 20% of the 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 general information on tab 'Year 1'.