GV909-7-FY-CO:
Foundations and Methods of Political Theory
PLEASE NOTE: This module is inactive. Visit the Module Directory to view modules and variants offered during the current academic year.
2023/24
Government
Colchester Campus
Full Year
Postgraduate: Level 7
Inactive
Thursday 05 October 2023
Friday 28 June 2024
30
06 January 2020
Requisites for this module
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
This module aims to introduce and evaluate a variety of approaches to political theory, focusing in particular on normative and analytic approaches. It aims to provide a critical overview of different political philosophies; and to consider a range of methods and research strategies for those embarking upon graduate study in political theory and analysis, broadly construed.
It is traditional to divide the study of political theory into normative and empirical domains. Normative political theorists endeavour to construct, evaluate, justify and criticize the principles and norms underlying political practices, whereas positive political theorists are concerned to explain, understand and interpret political practices and events by constructing and testing abstract models of those practices. In recent years, this clear division has become somewhat blurred, as normative political theorists seek to ground their research in the description of empirical phenomena, or at least to speak to matters of empirical import, while positive political theorists have become more attentive to the implicit or explicit values that structure their research. The task of this module is to sensitize students to the presuppositions underpinning different approaches to questions of description, explanation, and critique.
To introduce and evaluate a variety of perspectives on political theory research; to provide a critical overview of different philosophies of science and social science; and to consider a range of methods and research strategies for those embarking upon graduate study in political theory and analysis, broadly construed.
On completing this research seminar, a student ought to have a good understanding of central debates in the philosophy of social science; be familiar with key issues and methods in conducting critical political research at a graduate level; be familiar with the key methodological assumptions and debates in political theory and analysis; and be in a position to develop and execute an advanced research project in this field, including a masters dissertation.
MODULE GOALS
To introduce and evaluate a variety of perspectives on political theory research; to provide a critical overview of different philosophies of science and social science; and to consider a range of methods and research strategies for those embarking upon graduate study in political theory and analysis, broadly construed.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
On completing this research seminar, a student ought to have a good understanding of central debates in the philosophy of social science; be familiar with key issues and methods in conducting critical political research at a graduate level; be familiar with the key methodological assumptions and debates in political theory and analysis; and be in a position to develop and execute an advanced research project in this field, including a masters dissertation.
The module is divided into three main parts. In the first part we explore a range of prominent perspectives in the philosophy of natural and social science, including empiricist, rationalist, conventionalist, positivist, hermeneutical, critical realist and post-structuralist perspectives. Using post-structuralism as a frame of reference, we then canvass key dimensions of the post-positivist research process in the field of social and political studies. In the final part of the module, we focus on "freedom" and "power," to exemplify the fact that, at the centre of political theory (and political science), one finds contestation over key concepts. Niccolò Machiavelli's early modern texts – with their important reflections on freedom and power – serve as a case study as we confront debates over the interpretation of historical/cross-cultural and contemporary texts. We conclude the module by exploring the relationship between power and knowledge.
These aims are pursued in specifically designed seminars, whose content is briefly described under each seminar heading. On completing this research seminar, a student ought to have a good understanding of central debates in the philosophy of social science; be familiar with key issues and methods in conducting critical political research at a graduate level; be familiar with the key methodological assumptions and debates in political theory and analysis; and be in a position to develop and execute an advanced research project in this field, including a masters dissertation.
Teaching format will vary from week to week, but in general will feature a combination of lectures, seminar discussions, student presentations, and other activities. Members of the seminar are expected to prepare for each seminar by reading the essential texts.
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Leopold, D. and Stears, M. (2008)
Political theory: methods and approaches. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Available at:
https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/universityofessex-ebooks/detail.action?docID=415667.
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Shapiro, I., Smith, R.M. and Masoud, T.E. (2004a)
Problems and methods in the study of politics. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Available at:
https://www-cambridge-org.uniessexlib.idm.oclc.org/core/books/problems-and-methods-in-the-study-of-politics/90AD10B7224FD23961C78BA347C79267.
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Blau, A. (2017)
Methods in analytical political theory. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Available at:
https://doi.org/10.1017/9781316162576.
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Glynos, J., Howarth, D.R. and EBSCOhost ebook collection (2007)
Logics of critical explanation in social and political theory. New York, NY: Routledge. Available at:
https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=nlebk&AN=205914.
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White, S.K. and Moon, J.D. (2004)
What is political theory? London: Sage Publications. Available at:
https://sk.sagepub.com/books/what-is-political-theory.
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Hacking, I. (no date) ‘“Language, truth and reason” 30 years later’,
Studies in History and Philosophy of Science, 43(4), pp. 599–609. Available at:
https://www-sciencedirect-com.uniessexlib.idm.oclc.org/science/article/pii/S0039368112000441.
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Jane Mansbridge (2014) ‘Presidential Address: What Is Political Science For?’,
Perspectives on Politics, 12(1), pp. 8–17. Available at:
https://www.jstor.org/stable/43281099.
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David Leopold and Marc Stears (2008)
Political theory: methods and approaches. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Available at:
https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/universityofessex-ebooks/detail.action?docID=415667.
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Alan F. Chalmers (no date)
What is this thing called science? Fourth edition. Maidenhead: Open University Press. Available at:
https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/universityofessex-ebooks/detail.action?docID=6362169.
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Ian Shapiro (2002) ‘Problems, Methods, and Theories in the Study of Politics, or What’s Wrong with Political Science and What to Do about It’,
Political Theory, 30, pp. 596–619. Available at:
https://www.jstor.org/stable/3072623.
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 |
Additional coursework information
In the Autumn term students must write an essay (5,000 word limit). Apart from the usual seminar participation in discussion and debate, students will also be expected to make assigned oral presentations, but these are not formally assessed. Students do not have a final examination for this module.
The topics for essay 1 can be found at the end of this module outline. Topics for essays 2 and 3 will be distributed separately.
Ideally, presentations are to be written and distributed one week in advance of the seminar (but this is not essential), and should last about twenty-thirty minutes (you can use a handout, or power-point/overhead slides). For guidance on presentations, please see Appendix 1. The class presentations are based on the seminar readings assigned to weeks during Autumn and Spring terms. Students are normally expected to make one presentation in each of the Autumn and Spring Terms.
In addition, students have the opportunity to discuss their dissertation proposals with prospective supervisors in the theory programme (MA in Ideology and Discourse Analysis; and MA in Political Theory). Students may find it useful to draft initial dissertation proposals of 1,000-1,500 words, which they can use as the basis of initial discussions with their supervisors around the middle of Spring Term. Students will also be given the chance to explore the relationship between theory, research strategy, method, and argument in the context of this module. Accordingly, students will be expected to submit to the module instructor in advance of the final session (week 25) a 2-3 page summary of their dissertation proposal. Guidelines on dissertation proposals can be found in Appendix 2 and students are advised to start thinking about their dissertations early.
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 David Axelsen, email: d.v.axelsen@essex.ac.uk.
Dr Jason Glynos & Dr Laura Montanaro
Module Supervisors Dr David Axelsen d.v.axelsen@essex.ac.uk or Dr Laura Montanaro lmonta@essex.ac.uk or Module Administrator, Jamie Seakens (govpgquery@essex.ac.uk)
Yes
No
Yes
Dr Adrian Florea
University of Glasgow
Senior Lecturer in International Relations
Available via Moodle
Of 40 hours, 40 (100%) hours available to students:
0 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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