Universität Wien

210134 SE M9: Eastern European Studies (2023S)

Methodological Approaches to Comparative and Area Studies (engl.)

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

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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

  • Tuesday 07.03. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal 2 (H2), NIG 2.Stock
  • Tuesday 14.03. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal 2 (H2), NIG 2.Stock
  • Tuesday 21.03. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal 2 (H2), NIG 2.Stock
  • Tuesday 28.03. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal 2 (H2), NIG 2.Stock
  • Tuesday 18.04. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal 2 (H2), NIG 2.Stock
  • Tuesday 25.04. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal 2 (H2), NIG 2.Stock
  • Tuesday 02.05. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal 2 (H2), NIG 2.Stock
  • Tuesday 09.05. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal 2 (H2), NIG 2.Stock
  • Tuesday 16.05. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal 2 (H2), NIG 2.Stock
  • Tuesday 23.05. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal 2 (H2), NIG 2.Stock
  • Tuesday 06.06. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal 2 (H2), NIG 2.Stock
  • Tuesday 13.06. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal 2 (H2), NIG 2.Stock
  • Tuesday 20.06. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal 2 (H2), NIG 2.Stock
  • Tuesday 27.06. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal 2 (H2), NIG 2.Stock

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

The aim of the course is to provide students with a wide range of methodological tools and skills for carrying out independent research and for critically engaging with literature in comparative politics and area studies. Politics is an exciting sphere of human activity and we might be interested in understanding better the political dynamics of a specific country or area, but how do we translate this interest into good research questions that can advance already existing knowledge? How do we make sure our concepts make sense? What kind of research design one might need for answering a specific question and what methods can we use to extract from reality the right type of information to reach that answer? How can we distinguish strong from weak and uncorroborated arguments in the scientific papers or other literature?
The course will tackle these questions through an examination of different methodological approaches in comparative and area studies. Since the seminar is offered as a part of East European studies track, we will use mostly examples from the political science literature on Eastern Europe, but the emphasis will be heavily on understanding the methods used in the research papers and in critically analysing their strenghts and weaknesses. As the final exam, the students will be required to develop their own research proposal. The course is delivered in English and all the course requirements should be submitted in English.

Assessment and permitted materials

Assessment is based on intensive and interactive participation in the seminar, presentations of assigned research papers, discussions of methods used in the assigned papers, and final research proposal.

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

• Seminar presence and active participation (students must not miss more than 2 seminars): 20%
• Presentation of assigned paper: 20 %
• Critical discussion of assigned paper: 20%
• Final research proposal: 40%

Examination topics

Students are required to read the articles and chapters assigned for each session and they are also required to engage independently with the literature in the field. In preparation for final essay, students will need to supplement the course readings with further relevant literature they identify through own research

Reading list

These are just some of the key textbooks to be used in the class. The full reading list will be provided at the beginning of the semester.

Hancke, Bob (2009) Intelligent Research Design. A Guide for Beginning Researchers in the Social Sciences. Oxford: Oxford University Press
Della Porta, Donatella, & Keating, Michael (Eds.). (2008). Approaches and Methodologies in the Social Sciences: A Pluralist Perspective. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Association in the course directory

Last modified: Tu 14.03.2023 12:09