Methods of Political Science 2, 7.5 credits

Main field of study

Course level

Advancement level

Course offered for

• Bachelor´s Programme in Political science and economics

Entry requirements

For admission to the course, completed Political Science, basic course, 30 HE credits, is required, as well as Political Science, continuation course with at least 22.5 HE credits approved, including Thesis (or the equivalent).

Intended learning outcomes

On completion of the course, the student should be able to

• demonstrate an advanced critical and analytical approach to political questions and phenomena,
• apply both qualitative and quantitative methods of political science,
• argue for different choices of methods in relation to various types of research assignments and material,
• reflect on and evaluate scholarly texts based on both qualitative and quantitative method application.

Course content

The course implies both a broadening and a specialisation of previously acquired method knowledge. There is particular emphasis on introducing and practically applying quantitative methods in the study of policy, but the course also covers different qualitative methods, such as text and discourse analysis and interview method. Concretising examples and practical exercises are essential.

Teaching and working methods

The course includes lectures where the course contents are introduced and developed. The lectures complement the reading list. The seminars constitute a central part of the students' learning processes and give the opportunity to reflect and collectively discuss critically, in order to develop the approach and skills. The student is expected to be well prepared for the lectures and to have completed the seminar preparations according to the instructions in the course description. The student is expected to assimilate the reading list independently and/or in self-organised reading groups. Parts that involve examination are compulsory.

Examination

The course is examined continuously through written assignments and active participation in the seminars. Detailed information can be found in the study guide.

If special circumstances prevail, and if it is possible with consideration of the nature of the compulsory component, the examiner may decide to replace the compulsory component with another equivalent component.

If the LiU coordinator for students with disabilities has granted a student the right to an adapted examination for a written examination in an examination hall, the student has the right to it.

If the coordinator has recommended for the student an adapted examination or alternative form of examination, the examiner may grant this if the examiner assesses that it is possible, based on consideration of the course objectives.

An examiner may also decide that an adapted examination or alternative form of examination if the examiner assessed that special circumstances prevail, and the examiner assesses that it is possible while maintaining the objectives of the course.

Students failing an exam covering either the entire course or part of the course twice are entitled to have a new examiner appointed for the reexamination.

Students who have passed an examination may not retake it in order to improve their grades.

Grades

Other information

Planning and implementation of a course must take its starting point in the wording of the syllabus. The course evaluation included in each course must therefore take up the question how well the course agrees with the syllabus. 

The course is carried out in such a way that both men´s and women´s experience and knowledge is made visible and developed.

If special circumstances prevail, the vice-chancellor may in a special decision specify the preconditions for temporary deviations from this course syllabus, and delegate the right to take such decisions.

Department