Checking date: 03/05/2018


Course: 2018/2019

Research Approaches and Theories in Political Science
(14083)
Bachelor in Political Science (Plan: 396 - Estudio: 205)


Coordinating teacher: NATERA PERAL, ANTONIO

Department assigned to the subject: Social Sciences Department

Type: Compulsory
ECTS Credits: 6.0 ECTS

Course:
Semester:




- Understanding of the main approaches, theories and models of contemporary political analysis. - Ability to link theoretical issues of contemporary politics with the empirical factors and the dynamics of political systems.
Description of contents: programme
1. Scientific Knowledge and Political Science. Research paradigms. 2. Research approaches and theories - Models of explanation - Normativism - Critical Theory and postmodernism - Behaviorism and functionalism - System Analysis - Institutionalism and new institutionalism - Rational choice theory - Other current theories and approaches. 3. Methodology for empirical political analysis. A practical guide - Theory and problems construction. Analitical strategies. - Concepts elaboration and operativization. Analitical levels. - The hypothesis testing - Information access and data bases in the field of political science.
Learning activities and methodology
Teaching time is distributed according to the following training activities: - Classes (50 per 100). It includes case studies that illustrate the lectures. - Exercises and/or final paper elaboration, explanations and public debates on basic reading and case workshop: 50 per 100
Assessment System
  • % end-of-term-examination 50
  • % of continuous assessment (assigments, laboratory, practicals...) 50

Basic Bibliography
  • Anduiza, E.; Méndez, M.; Crespo, I.. Metodología de la Ciencia Política. CIS. 1999
  • Baglione, L.A.. Writing a Research Paper in Political Science: A Practical Guide to Inquiry, Structure, and Methods. Sage. 2011
  • Bernal, C.. Metodología de la investigación: administración, economía, humanidades y ciencias sociales. . Pearson. 2010.
  • Chuliá, E. y Agulló, M.V.. Cómo se hace un trabajo de investigación en Ciencia Política. Catarata. 2012
  • Kellstedt, Paul. M & Whitten, Guy.D. (eds) . The Fundamentals of Political Science Research.. Cambridge University Press. 2009
  • Lago, I.. La lógica de la explicación en las Ciencias Sociales. Alianza Editorial. 2008.
  • Manheim, J.B. y Rich, . Análisis político empírico. Alianza. varias ediciones en español y en ingles
  • Marsh, D. and G. Stoker (eds.),. Theory and Methods in Political Science, 3rd ed.,. Palgrave Macmillan, 2010..
Additional Bibliography
  • Barreda, M.; Ruiz Rodríguez, L M.. Análisis de la política: Enfoques y herramientas de la ciencia política.. Huygens. 2016.
  • Colomer, J. M.,. Science of Politics,. Oxford University Press. 2010
  • Dahl, R.A.. Modern Political Analysis. Prentice Hall, 5th. ed.. 1991.
  • Green, Donald. P & Shapiro, Ian. Pathologies of Rational Choice Theory. Yale University Press. 1994
  • Hall, P. y R. Taylor, . "Political Science and the Three New Institutionalisms",. en K. Sottan, E. Uslaner y V. Haufler (eds.), Institutions and Social Order, The University of Michigan Press,. 1998.
  • Hay, C.. Political Analysis. A critical introduction. McMillan. 2002.
  • Pollock, P.H.. The Essentials of Political Analysis. Sage, 3rd ed.. 2012.
  • Sartori, G.. La política. Lógica y método de las ciencias sociales. Fondo de Cultura Económica. 1995
  • Shepsle, K., . "Studying Institutions: Some Lessons from the Rational Choice Approach",. Journal of Theoretical Politics, 1(2): 131-147,. 1989.
  • VV.AA.. Diez textos básicos de Ciencia Política. Ariel. 2014.
  • White, L.G.. Political Analysis: Technique and Practice. Wadsworth Publishing, 3rd. ed.. 1994.

The course syllabus may change due academic events or other reasons.