Universität Wien

210011 PS BAK3: PS Introduction to Scientific Work (2018S)

(engl)

5.00 ECTS (2.00 SWS), SPL 21 - Politikwissenschaft
Continuous assessment of course work

A registration via u:space during the registration phase is required. Late registrations are NOT possible.
Students who miss the first lesson without prior notification will lose their seat in the course.

Follow the principles of good scientific practice.

The course instructor may invite students to an oral exam about the student’s written contributions in the course. Plagiarized contributions have the consequence that the course won’t be graded (instead the course will be marked with an ‘X’ in the transcript of records).

Registration/Deregistration

Note: The time of your registration within the registration period has no effect on the allocation of places (no first come, first served).

Details

max. 50 participants
Language: English

Lecturers

Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N

Please note! Friday, 16/03/2018 09:00 - ca. 10:15 Guided library tour Sociology and Political Science Library (Rooseveltplatz 2, 1090 Vienna; we meet at 09:00 in front of the building)
10:30 - 14:00 HS. 1 (A212), NIG 2nd floor

  • Friday 02.03. 13:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal 3 (H3), NIG 2. Stock
  • Friday 16.03. 09:45 - 14:45 Hörsaal 1 (H1), NIG 2.Stock
  • Friday 11.05. 11:30 - 16:30 Hörsaal 1 (H1), NIG 2.Stock
  • Friday 25.05. 13:15 - 16:30 Hörsaal 3 (H3), NIG 2. Stock
  • Friday 22.06. 11:30 - 16:30 Hörsaal 2 (H2), NIG 2.Stock
  • Friday 29.06. 13:15 - 16:30 Hörsaal 2 (H2), NIG 2.Stock

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

The course introduces students to the principles and research processes of scientific work in political science. Students will be required to complete regular assignments, which will be discussed in class and used as building blocks for their final essay. Students attending the course must have a good command of English, since all the lectures, seminar materials and assignments will be exclusively in English.
The broader aim is to equip students with the knowledge of the principles, methods and techniques in the field of social scientific work that are required for the studies of political science. This includes in particular the critical use of scientific argumentation, texts and text types as well as the ability to develop and find answers to scientific questions. The textual work, i.e. reading, appropriating, processing, interpreting, discussing and drafting texts, is a key part of social scientific work. Therefore, it is aimed to improve the reading and analytical skills to deal with complex matters of political theory and applied research through joint discussions of texts on various political science topics, but also transdisciplinary themes.
Fundamental scientific techniques – quoting, paraphrasing, structuring and writing – are taught and applied by means of selected texts. Particular attention will be given to addressing the issue of plagiarism. Likewise, students will be familiarized with basic strategies and techniques of social science literature review, and will also be introduced to "soft skills" (understanding of the scope and limits of knowledge – validity and reliability issues, self-organization, workflow creation, teamwork and communication skills, presentation skills) as well as to the use of web-based e-learning platforms.
Moreover, a particular focus will be on the preparation of the final research essay. This will be done by following a typical research workflow starting from information gathering, formulating a research question, drafting and presenting the outline (Exposé), writing the first draft and editing and developing it all the way to the final research essay that complies with all formal requirements.

Assessment and permitted materials

Regular attendance and active participation in class as well as timely reading and preparing of all texts for discussion
Exercises and tests
Final essay (about 2.000-2.500 words) including the personal statement on plagiarism

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

* Reading techniques of scientific texts

* Writing (excerpting, summarizing, etc.) of different text types

* Applying guidelines for good scientific practice (citation)

* Reflecting and developing a research outline, particularly a research question

Points Grade
100–89: 1 (very good)
88–75: 2 (good)
74–65: 3 (satisfactory)
64–50: 4 (pass)
49–0: 5 (fail)

Examination topics

* Introductory presentations by the course lecturer
* Joint discussion of selected social scientific texts
* Regular exercises

Reading list

Selected literature on concepts, theories, methods and current issues in the fields of democracy, the state, authority, power and power relations, identity, peace and conflict studies, civil society and social change.
All relevant course material will be provided on the Moodle E-learning Platform.

Association in the course directory

Last modified: Mo 07.09.2020 15:38