This course provides an introduction to philosophy of social sciences, various methodological approaches in political science and research methods and analysis. Components of research design, measurement, validity, data collection strategies and logic of inference are discussed. Various research design examples are provided from the recent political science literature and students are exposed to research process, article evaluation and thesis proposal writing. It also aims to expose students to ethical considerations in research and publishing.
Methods and Scope of Political Analysis (POLS 529)
2021 Fall
Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
Political Science(POLS)
3
10
Mert Moral mmoral@sabanciuniv.edu,
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English
Doctoral, Master
--
Formal lecture,Seminar,Recitation,Laboratory
Communicative,Discussion based learning,Project based learning,Task based learning
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| Programs\Type | Required | Core Elective | Area Elective |
| Computer Science and Engineering - With Master's Degree | * | ||
| Conflict Analysis and Resolution - Non Thesis | * | ||
| Conflict Analysis and Resolution - With Thesis | * | ||
| European Studies - Non Thesis | * | ||
| European Studies - With Thesis | * | ||
| Leaders for Industry Biological Sciences and Bioengineering - Non Thesis | * | ||
| Leaders for Industry Industrial Engineering - Non Thesis | * | ||
| Leaders for Industry Materials Science and Engineering - Non Thesis | * | ||
| Leaders for Industry Mechatronics Engineering - Non Thesis | * | ||
| Management Ph.D. - Finance Area - With Bachelor's Degree | * | ||
| Management Ph.D. - Management and Organization Area - With Bachelor's Degree | * | ||
| Management Ph.D. - Operations and Supply Chain Management Area - With Bachelor's Degree | * | ||
| Management Ph.D. - With Bachelor's Degree | * | ||
| Political Science - Non Thesis | * | ||
| Political Sciences - With Bachelor's Degree | * | ||
| Political Sciences - With Master's Degree | * | ||
| Political Science - With Thesis | * | ||
| Turkish Studies - Non Thesis | * | ||
| Turkish Studies - With Thesis | * |
CONTENT
OBJECTIVE
There is a myriad of ways to obtain scientific knowledge about social and political phenomena that political scientists are interested in better understanding and explaining. The main goal of this course is not to provide you with all such tools at our disposal, but with a survey of those, and necessary knowledge and basic skills to understand, evaluate, and conduct scientific research. Having been introduced to qualitative and quantitative reasoning, and political science methodology will help you develop the required skillset to \critically and \constructively evaluate other scholarly research as well as a sense of how your future research agenda, including but not limited to your M.A. thesis/Ph.D. dissertation, should look like.
Since research design constitutes the ``nuts and bolts'' of scientific research and, as political scientists, we should all be able to communicate ``what we think we know'' to our audience, this course will focus extensively on research design and communicating ``how we came to know what we think we know.'' Following a general introduction to the epistemology of science in the first part, you will therefore spend the second part of the semester thinking about how to approach puzzling social and political phenomena, conceptualize and operationalize various factors (that may or may not be) influencing them, design appropriate theoretical and empirical models, and communicate those to your audience (and write) effectively.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
- By the end of this semester, students will be introduced to research design, measurement, and causal inference as the three major topics in political methodology
- By the end of this semester, students will be able to evaluate scholarly research and design their own independent research.
PROGRAMME OUTCOMES
1. Develop and deepen the current and advanced knowledge in the field with original thought and/or research and come up with innovative definitions based on Master's degree qualifications 5
2. Conceive the interdisciplinary interaction which the field is related with ; come up with original solutions by using knowledge requiring proficiency on analysis, synthesis and assessment of new and complex ideas. 5
3. Evaluate and use new information within the field in a systematic approach. 5
4. Develop an innovative knowledge, method, design and/or practice or adapt an already known knowledge, method, design and/or practice to another field; research, conceive, design, adapt and implement an original subject. 5
5. Critical analysis, synthesis and evaluation of new and complex ideas. 5
6. Gain advanced level skills in the use of research methods in the field of study. 4
7. Contribute the progression in the field by producing an innovative idea, skill, design and/or practice or by adapting an already known idea, skill, design, and/or practice to a different field independently. 4
8. Broaden the borders of the knowledge in the field by producing or interpreting an original work or publishing at least one scientific paper in the field in national and/or international refereed journals. 5
9. Demonstrate leadership in contexts requiring innovative and interdisciplinary problem solving. 3
10. Develop new ideas and methods in the field by using high level mental processes such as creative and critical thinking, problem solving and decision making. 5
11. Investigate and improve social connections and their conducting norms and manage the actions to change them when necessary. 3
12. Defend original views when exchanging ideas in the field with professionals and communicate effectively by showing competence in the field. 5
13. Ability to communicate and discuss orally, in written and visually with peers by using a foreign language at least at a level of European Language Portfolio C1 General Level. 5
14. Contribute to the transition of the community to an information society and its sustainability process by introducing scientific, technological, social or cultural improvements. 3
15. Demonstrate functional interaction by using strategic decision making processes in solving problems encountered in the field. 5
16. Contribute to the solution finding process regarding social, scientific, cultural and ethical problems in the field and support the development of these values. 3
1. Develop the ability to use critical, analytical, and reflective thinking and reasoning 5
2. Reflect on social and ethical responsibilities in his/her professional life. 4
3. Gain experience and confidence in the dissemination of project/research outputs 4
4. Work responsibly and creatively as an individual or as a member or leader of a team and in multidisciplinary environments. 2
5. Communicate effectively by oral, written, graphical and technological means and have competency in English. 5
6. Independently reach and acquire information, and develop appreciation of the need for continuously learning and updating. 5
1. Analyze historical and contemporary developments in Europe, specifically of the European integration process, from a multi-disciplinary perspective. 4
2. Grasp the main dynamics of the European order, politically, historically and economically. 1
3. Explain the European integration process and the EU's decision-making procedures and it's institutions. 4
1. Analyze historical and contemporary developments in Europe, specifically of the European integration process, from a multi-disciplinary perspective. 4
2. Grasp the main dynamics of the European order, politically, historically and economically. 1
3. Explain the European integration process and the EU's decision-making procedures and it's institutions. 4
1. Begin to grasp historical evolution and contemporary character of world politics. 4
1. Analyze current and persistent conflict situations with an emphasis on perceptual and cultural aspects of social conflicts. 2
2. Conduct research in sources of conflicts and possible conflict resolution methods such as negotiation, third-party intervention, cooperative decision making, peace building, track-two and citizens' diplomacy applied to various social contexts. 4
3. Design and implement conflict resolution process to policy issues related to disputes in or among identity groups, governments, organizations, civil society or corporations. 1
4. Develop and sustain arguments in a variety of forms, formulating appropriate questions and utilizing evidence. 5
1. Analyze current and persistent conflict situations with an emphasis on perceptual and cultural aspects of social conflicts. 2
2. Conduct research in sources of conflicts and possible conflict resolution methods such as negotiation, third-party intervention, cooperative decision making, peace building, track-two and citizens' diplomacy applied to various social contexts. 4
3. Design and implement conflict resolution process to policy issues related to disputes in or among identity groups, governments, organizations, civil society or corporations. 1
4. Develop and sustain arguments in a variety of forms, formulating appropriate questions and utilizing evidence. 5
1. Begin to grasp historical evolution and contemporary character of world politics. 4
1. Gain the skills to analyze, understand, evaluate, and make policies in key public areas. 4
2. Develop a policy area of specialization. 3
3. Gain work experience in one of the centers or forums affiliated with Sabancı University. 1
1. Gain the skills to analyze, understand, evaluate, and make policies in key public areas. 4
2. Develop a policy area of specialization. 3
3. Gain work experience in one of the centers or forums affiliated with Sabancı University. 1
Update Date:
ASSESSMENT METHODS and CRITERIA
| Percentage (%) | |
| Final | 25 |
| Assignment | 35 |
| Participation | 10 |
| Individual Project | 20 |
| Presentation | 10 |
RECOMENDED or REQUIRED READINGS
| Textbook |
* Acock, Alan C. 2018. A Gentle Introduction to Stata. 6th Edition. College Station, TX: |
| Readings |
* See the official syllabus uploaded to the course page on SU Course for the assigned journal articles. |