Module Code - Title:
PO4103
-
RESEARCHING POLITICS
Year Last Offered:
N/A
Hours Per Week:
Grading Type:
N
Prerequisite Modules:
Rationale and Purpose of the Module:
This module will survey the core questions and issues that arise when analyzing politics. Students will learn to distinguish between various modes of argumentation, as well as how to assess, critique, and construct arguments. We will look at different approaches to political analysis, including the deductive-nomological model, interpretive methods, and critical theory. We will also discuss major debates in the study of politics, such as those surrounding value-neutrality, contested concepts, agency versus structure, androcentrism, and Eurocentrism. The aim of this module will be to equip students with a toolbox for thinking critically and independently about contemporary issues in politics.
Syllabus:
Week 1 - Introduction
Week 2 - What Is "Science"?
Week 3 - Variables and "Covering Laws"
Week 4 - Objectivity I: The Social Character of Knowledge
Week 5 - Understanding Other Societies
Week 6 - Objectivity II: Fact, Value, and Ideology
Week 7 - Agents and Structures
Week 8 - Critical Theory
Week 9 - Feminism
Week 10 - Eurocentrism
Week 11 - Academic Writing I: Asking Questions
Week 12 - Academic Writing II: Finding Direction
Learning Outcomes:
Cognitive (Knowledge, Understanding, Application, Analysis, Evaluation, Synthesis)
On successful completion of this module, students will be able to:
Demonstrate an understanding of modes of social-scientific reasoning and inference.
Evaluate the research findings of others in light of their method and approach.
Construct a logical argument.
Demonstrate ability to design and conduct independent academic research.
Affective (Attitudes and Values)
On successful completion of this module, students will be able to:
Demonstrate awareness of major dilemmas concerning objectivity and interpretation in political research.
Demonstrate self-awareness about and sensitivity to implications of differences in cultural and historical contexts.
Demonstrate capacities and willingness to identify and question presuppositions underlying common media and scholarly accounts of political phenomena.
Psychomotor (Physical Skills)
On successful completion of this module, students will be able to:
n/a
How the Module will be Taught and what will be the Learning Experiences of the Students:
The module is taught in a seminar format, in which substantial class time will be devoted to allowing students to converse with each other and their instructor about the interpretation of political events and assessment of scholarly arguments. Students are encouraged and expected to proactively and creatively articulate their knowledge and opinions of the perspectives discussed in a collaborative and responsible manner (graduate attribute: curious, agile, courageous, articulate).
Research Findings Incorporated in to the Syllabus (If Relevant):
Prime Texts:
Trigg, Roger (2001)
Understanding Social Science: A Philosophical Introduction to the Social Sciences (2nd ed)
, Blackwell
Booth, Wayne C., Gregory G. Colomb, and Joseph M. Williams (2008)
The Craft of Research (3rd ed)
, University of Chicago Press
Cartwright, Nancy and Eleonora Montuschi (2014)
Philosophy of Social Science: A New Introduction
, Oxford University Press
Other Relevant Texts:
Programme(s) in which this Module is Offered:
Semester(s) Module is Offered:
Autumn
Module Leader:
Scott.Fitzsimmons@ul.ie