PO2SOP-The Study of Politics

Module Provider: School of Politics, Economics and International Relations
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:5
Terms in which taught: Autumn / Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2022/3

Module Convenor: Dr Christoph Arndt
Email: c.arndt@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module examines a range of different methods to understand, explain and analyse politics and international relations. It focuses on giving students the ability to identify different methods and approaches in Politics and International Relations, and the different questions which they may be appropriately used to answer. The module covers qualitative methods (such as case studies and interviews), quantitative methods (data analysis and basic statistics), and methods of Political Theory (including normative/evaluative approaches). In doing so, it prepares students for more advanced study in Politics and International Relations, including but not limited to an undergraduate dissertation in Politics and International Relations.

Aims:

To provide students with the methodological expertise to successfully engage with current debates and recent research in Politics and International Relations.

Assessable learning outcomes:

 By the end of the module it is expected that students will be:

• familiar with a variety of different research methods used in the study of Politics and International Relations;


• able to identify different research questions which these different research methods can be appropriately used to answer;


• able to critically engage with the use of those research methods in modules taken in the Department of Politics and International Relations at Parts 2 and 3;


• able to select and use appropriate library and IT resources effectively in carrying out study and research tasks.

Additional outcomes:

Outline content:

 The module content is indicative but may consist of the following components:

• Further exploration of library resources.


• Lecture series introducing a number of research methods used in the study of Politics and International Relations. This series of lectures will be divided into three sections, each with a particular methodological focus:

1. Qualitative: for example, the logic of comparison, historical approaches, and content analysis 


2. Quantitative, for example exploring relationships in data, and survey design


3. Political theory, for example critical, interpretive, conceptual, and normative/evaluative approaches

There will also be introductory and concluding lectures to support students’ understanding of the division between different methods and the different kinds of questions they can sensibly be used to answer, as well as a lecture to introduce the Part 3 dissertation for those students who go on to do a dissertation in Politics and International Relations.

• Seminars accompanying the lectures to deepen the understanding of particular methodologies.


• On-line assessment on research methodology skills.


• Tutorial on the use of a statistical software package (STATA).

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

 Students are required to:

• attend a lecture and PC workshop on the use of online scholarly search tools, including library research resources;


• attend a series of lectures and accompanying seminars that introduce and explain the appropriate use of some of the more widely used methods in Politics & International Relations;


• attend a compulsory PC Lab tutorial on the use of a statistical software package.


• Co mplete a multiple-choice test examining their ability to recall central features of the various methods and approaches covered in the module;


• Write two critical reviews of paradigmatic examples of the use of methods and approaches from two of the three sections of the module.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures	13	7
Seminars	3	2
Tutorials	1
Practicals classes and workshops	3
Guided independent study:	66	105
Total hours by term	86	114	0
Total hours for module	200

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written assignment including essay	60
Class test administered by School	40

Summative assessment- Examinations:
No examination.

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

Assessment 1: Multiple Choice Test, 40%

Assessment 2: 1,500 word critical review, 30%

Assessment 3: 1,500 word critical review, 30%

A multiple-choice test worth 40%, on the content of each of the three sections of the module, to be taken at the end of the lecture series.

Two 1,500 word critical reviews of how methods have been applied within a well-known/important piece of academic research, chosen by the co-convenors, each worth 30%. Students must choose to write on research from two different sections of the module.

Formative assessment methods:

• Completion of a compulsory statistical software tutorial and exercise


• Completion of a compulsory library resource tutorial and exercise

Penalties for late submission:

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:
40% overall.

Reassessment arrangements:

If a student fails to pass the year at the first attempt there is an opportunity to be re-assessed on one further occasion at the next opportunity in those modules achieving a mark of less than 40%. Students who are eligible for re-assessment have the right to re-assessment in all elements even if they have previously passed one of those elements. It is expected, however, that the majority of students would probably elect not to repeat an element in which they had already passed, in which case the confirmed marks would be carried forward.



Coursework: Failed or missing coursework should be re-submitted on Blackboard within the published resubmission deadline.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

Printing and binding: There may be optional costs associated with photocopying or printing sources listed on the reading list relating to this module.

Last updated: 22 September 2022