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PL50869: Scopes and methods of politics and international relations

Follow this link for further information on academic years Academic Year: 2013/4
Follow this link for further information on owning departmentsOwning Department/School: Department of Politics, Languages and International Studies
Follow this link for further information on credits Credits: 6
Follow this link for further information on unit levels Level: Masters UG & PG (FHEQ level 7)
Follow this link for further information on period slots Period: Semester 1
Follow this link for further information on unit assessment Assessment: CW 100%
Follow this link for further information on supplementary assessment Supplementary Assessment: Coursework reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Follow this link for further information on unit rules Requisites:
Follow this link for further information on unit content Description: Aims:
The unit aims to provide:
* present a general background of the methods used by social scientists in the empirical study of their disciplines.
* provide the knowledge necessary to conduct objective investigations of empirical phenomena on our own or to better understand and evaluate the research of others.
* an effective insight into the study of social phenomena through a detailed study of different methods and approaches to comparative analysis;
* theoretical and empirical understanding and analysis of social science;
* a consideration of the major issues in positive and normative social inquiry.

Learning Outcomes:
Students who have successfully completed this unit will:
* have acquired an advanced knowledge of social inquiry;
* understand different approaches to explaining social phenomena;
* have acquired a good understanding of the theoretical models for the study of social science;
* have advanced knowledge of social science methods;
* be able to critically analyse foreign policy across different policy areas. (rule, security, etc).

Skills:
The key skills the unit will hone and further develop are:
Skills in critical analysis, conceptual thinking, precision in the use of written and spoken language, exercise of independent judgment, reasoned argument, and the planning/conduct/reporting of quantitative and non-quantitative research are taught and assessed in this unit. Skills in effective learning are developed in this unit.

Content:
The content of the unit will revolve around the following themes:
* Studying Politics Scientifically
* Research Design
* The Building Blocks of Social Scientific Research: Hypotheses, Concepts, and Variables
* The Building Blocks of Social Science Research: Measurement
* Making Empirical Observations: Direct and Indirect Observations
* Elite Interviewing and Survey Research
* Measuring Relationships and Testing Hypotheses.
Follow this link for further information on programme availabilityProgramme availability:

PL50869 is a Designated Essential Unit on the following programmes:

Department of Politics, Languages and International Studies

PL50869 is Compulsory on the following programmes:

Department of Politics, Languages and International Studies
  • THPL-AFM16 : MA Contemporary European Studies: Politics Policy and Society (Full-time)
  • THPL-AFM17 : MA Contemporary European Studies (with transatlantic track) (Full-time)

PL50869 is Optional on the following programmes:

Department of Politics, Languages and International Studies
  • THPL-AFT09 : Certificate in Transatlantic Studies (Full-time)
  • THPL-AFM24 : MA Contemporary Transatlantic Studies (Full-time)
  • THPL-AFT08 : MA Contemporary Transatlantic Studies (Full-time)

Notes:
* This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2013/14 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2014/15 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2013/14.
* Programmes and units are subject to change at any time, in accordance with normal University procedures.
* Availability of units will be subject to constraints such as staff availability, minimum and maximum group sizes, and timetabling factors as well as a student's ability to meet any pre-requisite rules.