Checking date: 09/06/2021


Course: 2021/2022

Methods of geopolitical and strategic analysis
(17779)
Geopolitics and Strategic Studies (Plan: 387 - Estudio: 346)
EPC


Coordinating teacher: GUERRERO LOZANO, VANESA

Department assigned to the subject: Social Sciences Department

Type: Compulsory
ECTS Credits: 6.0 ECTS

Course:
Semester:




Objectives
BASIC COMPETENCES: - CB6: Possess and understand knowledge that provides a basis or opportunity to be original in the development and / or application of ideas, often in a research context - CB7: That students know how to apply the knowledge acquired and their ability to solve problems in new or unfamiliar environments within broader (or multidisciplinary) contexts related to their area of study - CB8: That students are able to integrate knowledge and face the complexity of making judgments based on information that, being incomplete or limited, involve thoughts on the social and ethical responsibilities linked to the application of their knowledge and judgments - CB9: That the students know how to communicate their conclusions and their knowledge and ultimate reasons that support them to specialized and non-specialized audiences in a clear and unambiguous way - CB10: That students have the learning skills that allow them to continue studying in a way that will be largely self-directed or autonomous GENERAL COMPETENCES: -CG1: Ability to understand the main factors involved in the geopolitical and strategic analysis -CG2: Ability to understand and analyze from a critical perspective the territorial dimension of the discourses and practices that govern international politics, as well as to contribute to the public debate on them and deepen the values of democracy, dialogue, tolerance, social and environmental justice and peace. -CG3: Ability to understand and analyze national and international conflicts that have a territorial basis or impact and propose strategies and political instruments that may contribute to their resolution. -CG4: Ability to apply the theoretical and methodological knowledge of geopolitical and strategic studies to the analysis and resolution of specific empirical cases and problems. -CG5: Ability to demonstrate critical sense in analytical arguments both their own and others. -CG6: Ability to independently plan and carry out research in the field of geopolitics and strategic studies -CG7: Ability to communicate and present, in a clear, precise and rigorous manner, geopolitical and strategic reports to both specialized and non-specialized audiences SPECIFIC COMPETENCES -CE5: Ability to understand and use the main methods of geopolitical and strategic analysis, both qualitatively and quantitatively. LEARNING RESULTS -Knowledge of the methods and techniques of analysis of social sciences in geopolitical and strategic matters. -Ability to analyze geopolitical and strategic issues. -Ability to select indicators and measures to evaluate geopolitical and strategic issues. -Ability to synthesize bibliographic material for presentation. -Ability to present information in graphic, written and oral form. -Ability to read, understand, analyze and use graphic and cartographic representations of a geopolitical and strategic nature, especially maps, atlases and infographics. -Ability to prepare maps and infographics with which to represent phenomena of a geopolitical nature. -Capacity to prepare and develop a scientific report in the field of geopolitics and strategic studies.
Skills and learning outcomes
Description of contents: programme
1. Introduction to research methods in geopolitics 2. Quantitative methods 2.1. Descriptive Statistics. Introduction to statistical software R. 2.2. Data processing. 2.3. Linear regression and correlation. 2.4. Logistic regression. 2.7. Cluster analysis. 3. Qualitative methods 3.1. Introduction to qualitative research methods 3.2. Fieldwork & ethnographic methods 3.3. Conducting interviews & focus groups 3.4. Discourse & text analysis 4. Mixed methods
Learning activities and methodology
LEARNING ACTIVITIES: - Theoretical and practical lessons using the statistical software R. - Team work - Individual work of the student METHODOLOGY: - Theoretical lessons, with support material available on the Web, to present and develop the main concepts of the course. Teachers will provide students with supplementary material. - Critical reading of documents provided by the teachers: newspaper articles, reports, manuals and / or academic papers, either for later discussion in class, either to expand and consolidate the knowledge of the subject. - Resolution of practical cases, problems, etc. proposed by the teacher individually or in groups. - Preparation of projects individually or in group. TUTORING SESSIONS: - Weekly individual tutoring sessions - Group tutorials might be possible
Assessment System
  • % end-of-term-examination 0
  • % of continuous assessment (assigments, laboratory, practicals...) 100
Calendar of Continuous assessment
Basic Bibliography
  • Alan Agresti. Statistical Methods for the Social Sciences. Pearson. 2018
  • Arthur Stinchcombe . Constructing Social Theories. University of Chicago Press. 1987
  • David J. Bartholomew, Fiona Steele, Irini Moustaki and Jane I. Galbraith.. Analysis of Multivariate Social Science Data. Chapman & Hall/CRC. 2008
  • Devin, Guillaume. Resources and Applied Methods in International Relations. Palgrave Macmillan. 2018
  • Flint, Colin. Introduction to geopolitics. Routledge. 2016
  • Gareth James, Daniela Witten, Trevor Hastie and Robert Tibshirani. An Introduction to Statistical Learning: with Applications in R. Springer. 2017
  • Gary King, Robert Keohane and Sidney Verba. Designing Social Inquiry. Princeton NJ: Princeton University Press,. 1994
  • George, Alexander and Andrew Bennett . Development in the Social Sciences. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press. 2005
  • Hammersley, Martyn & Paul Atkinson. Ethnography: Principles in Practice. New York: Routledge. 2007
  • James E. Monogan . Political Analysis Using R. Springer . 2015
  • James Scott. Domination and the Arts of Resistance: Hidden Transcripts. Domination and the Arts of Resistance: Hidden Transcripts. 1990
  • Joseph F. Hair, William C. Black, Barry J. Babin and Rolph E. Anderson. Multivariate Data Analysis : A Global Perspective. Pearson New International. 2013
  • Klotz, Audie & Deepa Prakash. Qualitative Methods in International Relations - A Pluralist Guide. Palgrave Macmillan. 2008
  • Salganik. Bit by Bit: Social Research in the Digital Age. Princeton University Press.. 2017
  • Taylor, Peter & Colin Flint. Political Geography: World-Economy, Nation-State and Locality. Routledge. 2018

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