Department of European Studies & Modern Languages, Unit Catalogue 2007/08 |
EU50506 Concepts and theories in the study of contemporary European politics |
| Credits: 6 |
| Level: Masters |
| Semester: 1 |
| Assessment: ES100 |
| Requisites: |
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Aims: This unit aims to:
* Raise an awareness for the peculiarities of political science as a semi-science; * Deepen and broaden the students' understanding of common concepts and theories required for political research; * Provide an overview of important methodological traditions and schools of thought; * Develop awareness of the limitations and restrictions of scientific research into political and sociological issues; * Develop familiarity with the major theoretical approaches used in contemporary political research; * Develop the ability to locate their own work conceptually in established methodological traditions. Learning Outcomes: Students who complete the unit successfully will be able to demonstrate: * A clear grasp of the major theoretical approaches used in contemporary political research; * An understanding of the differences between these major theoretical approaches and their research-relevant implications; * An ability to evaluate the usefulness of these approaches in relation to the study of contemporary European politics; * Skills to analyse and compare the major theoretical approaches and concepts as they apply to the study of contemporary European politics. Skills: The key skills the unit will hone and further develop are: * Advanced research skills in identifying, locating and exploiting a wide range of descriptive, evaluative and theoretical literature. * Intellectual skills of conceptual, original and independent thinking, critical analysis, synthesis and reasoned argument. * Skills of assessment and judgement in relation to the soundness of competing arguments and scenarios, including the reporting and assessing of qualitative and quantitative data. * Generic and transferable skills related to the oral and written presentation of ideas. * Skills of self-direction, self-evaluation and time management. Content: Theoretical approaches and their practical application * European Studies - Political Sociology - Political Research * Theories of the State * Theories of Democracy * Academic work at post-graduate level * Realism * Institutionalism and Neo-Institutionalism * Theories of Globalisation * Rational choice * Post-Marxism, Critical Theory, Neo-Marxism * Post-Structuralism, Constructionism, Post-modernism * Functionalism and Systems Theory. |