USESEN003 Methodology of Political Sciences

Faculty of Public Policies in Opava
Summer 2015
Extent and Intensity
1/1/0. 5 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
doc. Mgr. Pavel Šaradín, Ph.D. (lecturer)
doc. PhDr. Dušan Janák, Ph.D. (seminar tutor)
Guaranteed by
doc. PhDr. Dušan Janák, Ph.D.
Institute of Central European Studies – Faculty of Public Policies in Opava
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
The aim of the course is to present the main methods and theories which are used in political science to students. Although the political science belongs to the most modern social sciences, it has no own methods and processes. It is characteristic that draws inspiration from related disciplines such as sociology, philosophy, statistics etc. The course takes into consideration this aspect and that is why it is conceived as interdisciplinary issue. Furthermore, the course emphasises scientific aspect if writing scientific texts which should lead to easier comprehension of standards of seminar and diploma theses. The course has an important role in the study programme because it should prepare the students for own scientific research.
Syllabus
  • 1. Research process - principal concepts
    2. Methodology in the relation to political theories
    3. Principles of creation and verifying of hypotheses
    4. Causality in social sciences
    5. Qualitative methods I: comparative methods
    6. Qualitative methods II: case studies
    7. Descriptive statistics: Indexes creation
    8. Possibilities of election research I.
    9. Possibilities of election research II.
    10. Elementary statistical operations usable in political science
    11. Linear correlations
    12. Scientific texts in political science
Literature
    required literature
  • HENDL, Jan. Kvalitativní výzkum. Základní metody a aplikace. Praha, 2005. info
  • JOHNSON, Janet Buttolph - REYNOLDS, Henry T. Political Science Research Methods. Washington, CQ Press, 2005. info
  • COLEBATCH, Hal K. Úvod do Policy. Brno, 2005. info
  • FIALA, Petr - SCHUBERT, Klaus. Moderní analýza politiky. Brno, 2000. info
  • BERG-SCHLOSSER, Dirk - STAMMEN, Theo. Úvod do politické vědy. Praha, 2000. info
  • DISMAN, Miroslav. Jak se vyrábí sociologická znalost. Praha, 1998. info
  • ANZENBACHER, Arno. Úvod do filosofie. Praha, 1993. info
Language of instruction
Czech
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
The course can also be completed outside the examination period.
Teacher's information
Essay based on reading, leading discussion, formal written exam .
The course is also listed under the following terms Summer 2012, Summer 2013, Summer 2014.
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