Unit name | Approaches to the study of Political Science |
---|---|
Unit code | POLI11104 |
Credit points | 20 |
Level of study | C/4 |
Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24) |
Unit director | Professor. Wickham-Jones |
Open unit status | Not open |
Pre-requisites |
None |
Co-requisites |
None |
School/department | School of Sociology, Politics and International Studies |
Faculty | Faculty of Social Sciences and Law |
This unit provides an introduction to different approaches to the study of political science. It will begin by offering some sort of overview of the core concepts in political science and of their development over the last fifty or so years. It will go to examine a number of different approaches such as behaviouralism, rational choice, and materialism. It will look at critical perspectives and more recent developments. The focus of the unit will be theoretical and conceptual; empirical examples will come from a range of sources. The unit will conclude by considering what is the relevance of political science.
Aims:
2 x 1hr lecture and 1hr seminar
Formative assessment:
One essay of between 1,500 and 2,000 words.
Assessment for classification and progression:
POLI 11104 is examined in a single three hour written examination. Students write four answers . The exam will assess learning outcomes 1, 2, 3 and 4.
David Marsh and Gerry Stoker (eds.), Theory and Methods in Political Science, 2nd edition, Basingstoke: Palgrave.