INTL 5100: Research Methods and Perspectives

Course Description

Students are introduced to skills, philosophical and methodological issues, and bibliographic resources, which enhance their ability to evaluate critically and to conduct research in the field of political science.

Course Objectives

Listed below are the long-term objectives you should be striving towards as a participant AND contributor in this course:

Articulate the origins and applications of the various conceptions and types of research methodologies and techniques that are utilized by scholars of political science as well as employed in research in other academic disciplines in the social sciences.
Articulate the key issues, arguments involved and various components involved in the debate over what constitutes a proper "philosophy of science" and in that debate recognize and understand what role scientific research plays.
Develop knowledge and facility for conducting and utilizing research, applying advanced scientific methodologies, techniques and processes to engage in problem solving and research and in the exploration and discovery of truth.
Demonstrate knowledge and new insights into the processes and methodologies of political and social scientific research and acquire, develop, demonstrate and apply analytical skills in political analysis and scientific research, particularly as these skills relate to identifying, conducting and successfully engaging in research projects in political science.
Understand the relationship between politics and the political scientist and the social and behavioral sciences, and the professional tasks and obligations which derive from these relationships in gaining knowledge and insights into the phenomena of the polity at various levels of political analysis, including local, state, national and internationally.

Prerequisites

It is assumed the student has adequate writing and analytical skills. Also, as for all Internet courses, the student must be disciplined and self-motivated.

Course Materials

Please go to MBS Direct to find the appropriate textbooks for this course.

Please be aware when purchasing your textbooks that the International versions of the text may differ from the Domestic (North American) version required for your course.

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Course Activities

The course will be conducted entirely online. Students are expected to participate in all course activities as assigned by the instructor. Course activities may include extensive reading, papers, presentations, discussions, quizzes, and/or group projects.

Students will prepare a semester-length, research based paper. This paper will reflect and focus primarily on integrating the full range of the literature on the methods and approaches to conducting research in political and social science covered throughout the course, including additional research with special emphasis on formulating your own unique theory of philosophy of science and conducting an original research project, utilizing the scientific research process, focused on research and analysis and testing of an original hypothesis involving some aspect of political behavior.

Policy Statements

Webster University strives to be a center of academic excellence. As part of our Statement of Ethics, the University strives to preserve academic honor and integrity by repudiating all forms of academic and intellectual dishonesty, including cheating, plagiarism and all other forms of academic dishonesty. Students at Webster University are expected to practice academic honesty.

Academic Dishonesty is unacceptable and is subject to disciplinary response. The university reserves the right to utilize electronic databases, such as Turnitin.com, to assist faculty and students with their academic work. Students in this class are governed by the university rules pertaining to academic misconduct/dishonesty.

You are responsible for participating and completing all requirements of this class - weekly assignments, discussion, and research papers in accordance with academic integrity and standards of ethics. The burden of proof in demonstrating academic integrity rests on you.

This syllabus is subject to change at the discretion of the instructor.

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