Postgraduate Course: Explanation and Understanding in Social and Political Research (PGSP11017)
Course Outline
| School | School of Social and Political Science |
College | College of Humanities and Social Science |
| Course type | Standard |
Availability | Available to all students |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) |
Credits | 20 |
| Home subject area | Postgrad (School of Social and Political Studies) |
Other subject area | None |
| Course website |
None |
Taught in Gaelic? | No |
| Course description | The course explores theoretical issues that arise for those undertaking social and political research. It aims to both offer a clear introduction of a range of theoretical issues and puzzles, as well as stimulate discussion and debate about how to deal with these. The course is divided into two halves. In the first half, the main concern is what the units of study should be for social and political analysis. Should we focus our attention purely on individuals and their choices, or are there institutions that shape and constrain what individuals do? If such institutions exist, how can we characterise them? Does it make sense to look not only at institutions, but also systems? In the second half of the course, we look at issues around the status and purpose of social scientific knowledge. Is it the case that social scientists can justifiably criticise the understandings of actors? Do the social and political sciences make progress? By the end of the course, we hope to have encouraged students to think in new ways about the nature, objects and goals of social and political research. We also hope to have encouraged students to reflect critically on research in their chosen fields, and to be able to use theoretical concepts to inform and develop their research in these areas. |
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
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Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
| Additional Costs | None |
Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | None |
| Displayed in Visiting Students Prospectus? | Yes |
Course Delivery Information
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| Delivery period: 2012/13 Semester 1, Available to all students (SV1)
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WebCT enabled: Yes |
Quota: None |
| Location |
Activity |
Description |
Weeks |
Monday |
Tuesday |
Wednesday |
Thursday |
Friday |
| No Classes have been defined for this Course |
| First Class |
First class information not currently available |
| No Exam Information |
Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes
By the end of the course our aim is that students will:
1. Have a good understanding of key ontological issues within the social sciences, that is, be able to participate in debates about the basic building blocks of the social world.
2. Understand central epistemological debates within the social sciences. This will mean grasping different views about the status and purpose of social scientific knowledge.
3. Be able to critically reflect on ontological and epistemological theories.
4. Be able to make insightful connections between theoretical debates and empirical research issues in their area of interest
5. Be able to productively discuss theoretical debates and their empirical consequences with other students. |
Assessment Information
| Assessment will be by a 3500-4,000 word course paper, which can either be purely theoretical or link theoretical issues with particular research topics. |
Special Arrangements
| None |
Additional Information
| Academic description |
Not entered |
| Syllabus |
An indicative syllabus would be as follows:
Week 1: Course Introduction: Being and Knowing
Week 2: Rational Choice Theory
Week 3: Institutionalism
Week 4: Social Constructionism
Week 5: Systems Theory
Week 6: Justification
Week 7: Criticism
Week 8: Feminism and Difference
Week 9: Progress
Week 10: Political Concepts and Conclusion |
| Transferable skills |
Not entered |
| Reading list |
There is no set text for the course, but the following textbooks might be helpful:
Hay, Colin (2002) Political Analysis: A Critical Introduction, Houndmills, Palgrave
Smith, Mark J. (1998) Social Science in Question, London: Sage
Examples of course readings include:
Dowding, Keith (2005), 'Is it Rational to Vote? Five Types of Answer and a Suggestion', British Journal of Politics and International Relations, 2005, 442-459
Hall, P & Taylor, R (1996) 'Political science and the three new institutionalisms', Political Studies 44 (5) 936-957
Haas, P M (2004) 'When does power listen to truth? A constructivist approach to the policy process', Journal of European Public Policy 11 (4) 569-592
Edwards, D. Ashmore, M, and Potter, J. (1995) 'Death and Furniture: The Rhetoric, Politics and Theology of Bottom Line Arguments Against Relativism', History of the Human Sciences, 8(2): 25-49
Kapur, R. (2002) 'The Tragedy of Victimisation Rhetoric: Resurrecting the "Native" Subject in International/Post-Colonial Feminist Legal Politics', Harvard Human Rights Journal, 15: 1-38 Spring
McCall, Leslie (2005) 'The Complexity of Intersectionality', Signs: Journal of Women in Culture and Society, 30(3): 1771-1800 |
| Study Abroad |
Not entered |
| Study Pattern |
Not entered |
| Keywords | Not entered |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Stephen Kemp
Tel: (0131 6)50 3978
Email: |
Course secretary | Mrs Gillian Macdonald
Tel: (0131 6)51 3244
Email: |
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