Course syllabus spring 2018
Course syllabus spring 2018
Title
Political Science: Research Design and Methods
Swedish title
Statsvetenskap: Forskningsdesign och statsvetenskapliga metoder
Course code
ST622L
Credits
15 credits
Grading scale
UA / Excellent (A), Very Good (B), Good (C), Satisfactory (D), Pass (E) or Fail (U)
Language of instruction
English
Decision-making body
Faculty of Culture and Society
Syllabus approval date
2018-01-04
Syllabus valid from
2018-01-01
Entry requirements
1. Bachelor of Science including at least 180 credits or equivalent foreign degree in political science, or equivalent, and at least 30 credits in the Global Politics programme or equivalent.
2.The equivalent of English course B in Swedish secondary school.
Level
Advanced level
Main field
Political Science
Progression level
A1F
Progression level in relation to degree requirements
The course is part of the main field of study Political Science at advanced level and meets the degree requirements for the degree of Master, main field of study Political Science.
Course objectives
The purpose of this course is to prepare students to write an independent thesis.
Course contents
The course focuses on theory and methodology used in academic work, and how this should be done in the master thesis.
Learning outcomes
After completing the course Research Design and Methods, students should be able to:
- Critically consider different methodological choices and make use of appropriate research methods in the study of global politics, even with limited information,
- Critically identify and discuss theoretical issues in the formulation of research questions and to support the choice of method,
- Collect and systematize appropriate materials within a given area of research,
- Analyze and evaluate the empirical data with regard to relevant scientific, social and ethical aspects,
- Produce written and oral presentation of research results.
Learning activities
Teaching is offered in the form of lectures and seminars. In addition, the students will organise and lead discussion workshops as part of an active learning environment.
Assessment
Students' performance will be assessed through the production of a research design, and active participation in seminars.
Course literature and other study material
• Halperin, Sandra & Oliver Heath (2012) Political Research - Methods and Practical Skills (Oxford: Oxford University Press).
• Jackson, Patrick Thaddeus (2016) The Conduct of Inquiry in International Relations: Philosophy of Science and Its Implications for the Study of World Politics (Second edition) (Abingdon: Routledge). FIRST EDITION AVAILABLE ONLINE VIA MAH LIBRARY
• Roselle, Laura and Sharon Spray (2011) Research and Writing in International Relations (Second edition) (London: Pearson).
• Additional material of up to 300 pages.
Course evaluation
Higher education institutions shall enable students who are participating in or have completed a course to express their experiences of and views on the course through a course evaluation to be organised by the higher education institution. The higher education institution shall collate the course evaluations and provide information about their results and any actions prompted by the course evaluations. The results shall be made available to the students. (HF 1:14)
Interim rules
If a course ceases to be available or has undergone any major changes, the students are to be offered two opportunities to retake the examination during the year following the change for re-examination, based on the syllabus which applied at registration.
Additional information
The language of Instruction is English.