An examination of the contested nature of the political and key methodological approaches to the study of politics both theoretically and in practice.
This paper examines the contested nature of what constitutes politics and the ways to conduct research. It explores key methodological approaches to the study of politics, including positivism, rational choice theory, intersubjectivity, discourse analysis and interpretivism and examines the advantages and disadvantages of quantitative versus qualitative research methods.
This paper is 100% internally assessed.
| Paper title | The 'Political': Theory and Practice |
|---|---|
| Paper code | POLS501 |
| Subject | Politics |
| EFTS | 0.25 |
| Points | 30 points |
| Teaching period | Semester 1 (On campus) |
| Domestic Tuition Fees (NZD) | $1,810.00 |
| International Tuition Fees | Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website. |
- Limited to
- MPols
- Contact
- politics@otago.ac.nz
- More information link
- View more information on the Department of Politics website
- Teaching staff
- Paper Structure
Week 1: Introduction to 'The Political'
Week 2: The contested nature of 'The Political'
Week 3: Basic terms; positivism and behaviourism: facts and observation
Week 4: Rational choice theory
Week 5: Feminism, ethics of care, and standpoint theory
Week 6: Essay work
Week 7: Interpretivism, narrative, and hermeneutics
Week 8: Postmodernism, identity, and intersectionality
Week 9: Discourse analysis
Week 10. Indigenous methodology and race
Week 11. Mixed methods: combining quantitative and qualitative approaches
Week 12. Conducting interviews
Week 13. Essay work
- Textbooks
The required readings will be available on eReserve on Blackboard.
- Graduate Attributes Emphasised
- Lifelong learning, Scholarship, Communication, Critical thinking, Ethics, Information
literacy, Research, Self-motivation.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes. - Learning Outcomes
Students who successfully complete the paper will:
- Demonstrate an understanding of key methodological approaches to the study of politics and the contested nature of what constitutes the political.
- Have the capacity to undertake independent research and identify relevant research sources.
- Have the ability to apply ideas and methods to new situations in written analysis and in practice.
