GV112-4-SP-CO:
Comparative Political Analysis
2020/21
Government
Colchester Campus
Spring
Undergraduate: Level 4
Current
Sunday 17 January 2021
Friday 26 March 2021
15
22 December 2020
Requisites for this module
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
SC208
BA L250 International Relations (Including Foundation Year),
BA L258 International Relations,
BA L259 International Relations (Including Year Abroad),
BA L260 International Relations (Including Placement Year),
MPOLL268 International Relations,
MPOLL269 International Relations (Including Placement Year),
MPOLL370 International Relations (Including Year Abroad),
BSC L222 Politics and International Relations,
BSC L223 Politics and International Relations (Including Year Abroad),
BSC L224 Politics and International Relations (Including Placement Year)
This module provides an introduction into the basic strategies of comparative empirical analysis in political science. You will learn how political scientists tackle questions such as: 'are countries with high levels of trade less likely to go to war?' and 'do election observers actually reduce election fraud?'
The aim of the module is to provide students with the necessary analytical foundation to conduct empirical research and to introduce them to the basic logic of scientific inference.
By the end of the module the students should have achieved the following:
• Gained knowledge of the basic issues in the philosophy of science.
• Gained knowledge of the major schools of thought in the philosophy of science
• Understand how scientific theories are constructed.
TOP READS
* Kellstedt, Paul, and Whitten, Guy. 2013. The Fundamentals of Political Science Research. 2nd Edition. Cambridge University Press. (Other editions of the Kellstedt and Whitten book can work as well)
1 x 50 minute pre-recorded lecture, 1 x 50 minute interactive class.
- Clayton, Amanda. (2015-03) 'Women’s Political Engagement Under Quota-Mandated Female Representation', in Comparative Political Studies. vol. 48 (3) , pp.333-369
- Kellstedt, Paul M.; Whitten, Guy D. (2018) Fundamentals of Political Science Research, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press (Virtual Publishing).
- Salma, Mousa. (2020) 'Building social cohesion between Christians and Muslims through soccer in post-ISIS Iraq.', in Science. vol. 369, pp.866-870
- (2006) 'How Much Is a Seat on the Security Council Worth? Foreign Aid and Bribery a..', in Journal of Political Economy.
The above list is indicative of the essential reading for the course. The library makes provision for all reading list items, with digital provision where possible, and these resources are shared between students. Further reading can be obtained from this module's reading list.
Assessment items, weightings and deadlines
| Coursework / exam |
Description |
Deadline |
Coursework weighting |
| Coursework |
In Class Quiz 1 |
|
30% |
| Coursework |
In Class Quiz 2 |
|
20% |
| Coursework |
Final Assignment |
|
50% |
Exam format definitions
- Remote, open book: Your exam will take place remotely via an online learning platform. You may refer to any physical or electronic materials during the exam.
- In-person, open book: Your exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer to any physical materials such as paper study notes or a textbook during the exam. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, open book (restricted): The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer only to specific physical materials such as a named textbook during the exam. Permitted materials will be specified by your department. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, closed book: The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may not refer to any physical materials or electronic devices during the exam. There may be times when a paper dictionary,
for example, may be permitted in an otherwise closed book exam. Any exceptions will be specified by your department.
Your department will provide further guidance before your exams.
Overall assessment
Reassessment
Module supervisor and teaching staff
Dr Rabia Malik, email: rabia.malik@essex.ac.uk.
Dr Rabia Malik
Rabia Malik rm20951@essex.ac.uk
Module administrator Nicola Rowley govquery@essex.ac.uk
Yes
Yes
No
Dr Arzu Kibris
University of Warwick
Associate Professor
Available via Moodle
Of 176 hours, 0 (0%) hours available to students:
176 hours not recorded due to service coverage or fault;
0 hours not recorded due to opt-out by lecturer(s).
Government
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