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74188-01 - Seminar: Applied Qualitative Methods for Political Science (3 CP)
| Semester | fall semester 2024 |
| Course frequency | Irregular |
| Lecturers | Shrey Kapoor (shrey.kapoor@unibas.ch, Assessor) |
| Content | In an era of big data and quantitative analysis, the importance of qualitative research methods in political science remains paramount. Qualitative approaches offer unique insights into the complexities of political phenomena, allowing researchers to explore the nuances of human behavior, institutional dynamics, and historical processes that shape our political world. This course is designed to introduce students to the fundamental principles and practices of qualitative research in political science. The course aims to bridge the gap between theoretical understanding and practical application of qualitative methods. Throughout the semester, we will explore a range of approaches including case studies, comparative analysis, process tracing, discourse analysis, and interview techniques. By engaging with both classic and contemporary literature, students will develop a critical understanding of the strengths and limitations of various qualitative methods. A key feature of this course is its emphasis on hands-on learning. Students will have the opportunity to apply different methods to real-world political questions through a series of practical exercises. These assignments are designed to build skills in data collection, analysis, and interpretation, preparing students for future research endeavors. The course is structured around weekly two-hour sessions that combine lectures, discussions, and practical workshops. Each session focuses on a specific method or approach, with readings that provide both theoretical foundations and examples of application in political science research. |
| Learning objectives | By the end of this course, students should be equipped with a robust toolkit of qualitative research methods, an ability to critically evaluate qualitative studies, and the foundational skills necessary to design and conduct their own qualitative research in political science. Whether you plan to pursue further academic study or apply these skills in professional settings, this course will provide valuable insights into the art and science of qualitative inquiry in politics. |
| Bibliography | Weekly course readings may include: Beach, Derek, and Rasmus Brun Pedersen. Process-Tracing Methods: Foundations and Guidelines. Ann Arbor: University of Michigan Press, 2013. Capoccia, Giovanni, and R. Daniel Kelemen. “The Study of Critical Junctures: Theory, Narrative, and Counterfactuals in Historical Institutionalism.” World Politics 59, no. 3 (2007): 341–69. Della Porta, Donatella. “Comparative Analysis: Case-Oriented Versus Variable-Oriented Research.” In Approaches and Methodologies in the Social Sciences, edited by Donatella della Porta and Michael Keating, 198–222. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2008. Gerring, John. Case Study Research: Principles and Practices. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2007. Goertz, Gary, and James Mahoney. A Tale of Two Cultures: Contrasting Qualitative and Quantitative Research in the Social Sciences. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, 2012. Hansen, Lene. “Ontologies, Epistemologies, Methodologies.” In Gender Matters in Global Politics: A Feminist Introduction to International Relations, edited by Laura J. Shepherd, 14–23. 2nd ed. London: Routledge, 2015. Leech, Beth L. “Asking Questions: Techniques for Semi-Structured Interviews.” PS: Political Science & Politics 35, no. 4 (2002): 665–68. Lunt, Neil. “A Note on Political Science and the Metaphorical Imagination.” Politics 25, no. 2 (2005): 73–79. Mahoney, James. “Toward a Unified Theory of Causality.” Comparative Political Studies 41, no. 4–5 (2008): 412–36. Mahoney, James. “After KKV: The New Methodology of Qualitative Research.” World Politics 62, no. 1 (2010): 120–47. Mosley, Layna, ed. Interview Research in Political Science. Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Press, 2013. Neumann, Iver B. “Discourse Analysis.” In Qualitative Methods in International Relations: A Pluralist Guide, edited by Audie Klotz and Deepa Prakash, 61–77. New York: Palgrave Macmillan, 2008. Saldaña, Johnny. The Coding Manual for Qualitative Researchers. London: SAGE Publications, 2009. Shenhav, Shaul R. Analyzing Social Narratives. New York: Routledge, 2015. Tarrow, Sidney. “The Strategy of Paired Comparison: Toward a Theory of Practice.” Comparative Political Studies 43, no. 2 (2010): 230–59. |
| Comments | Attention: All Seminars will be graded in the Department of Political Science. Grading scale 6.0 to 1.0, whereupon 4.0 is a pass. The number of participants is limited. The places are assigned according to date of enrollment and subject of study. Priority will be given to students of Political Science and Master European Global Studies. |
| Admission requirements | Attention: All Seminars will be graded in the Department of Political Science. Grading scale 6.0 to 1.0, whereupon 4.0 is a pass. The number of participants is limited. The places are assigned according to date of enrollment and subject of study. Priority will be given to students of Political Science and Master European Global Studies. |
| Language of instruction | English |
| Use of digital media | No specific media used |
| Course auditors welcome |
| Interval | Weekday | Time | Room |
|---|---|---|---|
| wöchentlich | Monday | 12.15-13.45 | Bernoullistrasse 14/16, Kleiner Seminarraum 02.001 |
Dates
| Modules |
Modul: Erweiterung Gesellschaftswissenschaften B.A. (Bachelor's degree subject: Political Science) Modul: Regionaler Fokus B.A. (Bachelor's degree subject: Political Science) Modul: Vertiefung Politikwissenschaft B.A. (Bachelor's degree subject: Political Science) Module: Societal Approaches (Master's Studies: European Global Studies) |
| Assessment format | continuous assessment |
| Assessment details | The assessment is designed to evaluate both theoretical understanding and practical skills, consisting of a Method Application Portfolio with four assignments spread throughout the semester (50% of the final grade), and a final take-home exam (50% of the final grade). The portfolio will consist of 4 practical exercises, each worth 12.5% of the final grade. Students will complete these exercises throughout the semester, applying different qualitative methods to real-world political science questions. Each assignment has a strict 750-word limit. The take-home exam, scheduled for January 2025, will be conducted over one week, with the exact dates to be determined by polling students for their preferred timeframe. The exam consists of two parts. Part I requires students to choose two qualitative methods and respond to questions regarding their principles, application to a specific research question, research design, and the methods' strengths and limitations. Part II involves critically analyzing a published qualitative study by evaluating the methods used, identifying strengths and limitations, and suggesting an alternative or additional method to enhance the study. |
| Assessment registration/deregistration | Reg.: course registration; dereg.: not required |
| Repeat examination | no repeat examination |
| Scale | 1-6 0,5 |
| Repeated registration | as often as necessary |
| Responsible faculty | Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, studadmin-philhist@unibas.ch |
| Offered by | Fachbereich Politikwissenschaft |