MVZ810 Methodology of politics and international relations research

Faculty of Social Studies
Autumn 2016
Extent and Intensity
0/0/0. 8 credit(s). Type of Completion: z (credit).
Teacher(s)
PhDr. Michal Kořan, Ph.D. (lecturer)
doc. Mgr. et Mgr. Oldřich Krpec, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Mgr. Anna Leshchenko (seminar tutor)
Guaranteed by
PhDr. Petr Suchý, Ph.D.
Department of International Relations and European Studies – Faculty of Social Studies
Contact Person: Olga Cídlová, DiS.
Supplier department: Department of International Relations and European Studies – Faculty of Social Studies
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is only offered to the students of the study fields the course is directly associated with.
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
The aim of the course is to provide the students with a basic notion of the nature of social sciences, social systems and scientific reflection on the problems and phenomena they bring about. A general introduction, which is focused on characterisation of science, defining of the specificities of social sciences and introduction into scientific research will be followed by an introduction into general methodological issues and an overview on the most significant methodological tools of political sciences. Moreover, the course will provide information on basic rules of scientific ethics, proper use of literature and other resources of research data. The course will be concluded by a presentation of available information databases, el. information sources, library fund and work with internet search engines and the library catalogue.
At the end of the course students will be able to define scientific research, its fundamental attributes and approaches; they will be able to use standard methodological tools of social sciences and will be capable of designing a research project of their own.
Syllabus
  • 1) Science and scientific research
  • 2) Political sciences – characterization and definition
  • 3) Limits of social systems research
  • 4) Literature, resources, scientific publication
  • 5) Methodology of a research project
  • 6) Information systems, librarian funds
  • 7) Test
Literature
  • KELLSTEDT, Paul M. and Guy D. WHITTEN. The fundamentals of political science research. New York: Cambridge University Press, 2009, xviii, 272. ISBN 9780521697880. info
  • Jak se vyrábí sociologická znalost :příručka pro uživatele. Edited by Miroslav Disman. 3. vyd. Praha: Karolinum, 2000, 374 s. ISBN 80-246-0139-7. info
  • ŘÍCHOVÁ, Blanka. Přehled moderních politologických teorií. Vyd. 1. Praha: Portál, 2000, 303 s. ISBN 80-7178-461-3. info
  • BABBIE, Earl R. The practice of social research. 8th ed. Belmont: Wadsworth Publishing Company, 1998, xxiv, 465. ISBN 053450468X. info
Teaching methods
The course proceeds by individual and group consultations and by working on a draft of a research project.
Assessment methods
The course will be closed by a written test. Its final marking involves the written test (15 points) and a seminar paper - a research project (10 points). Students will pass the course at gaining of at least 15 points.
Language of instruction
Czech
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
The course is taught annually.
The course is taught: in blocks.
The course is also listed under the following terms Autumn 2006, Autumn 2007, Autumn 2008, Autumn 2009, Autumn 2010, Autumn 2011, Autumn 2012, Autumn 2013, Autumn 2014, Autumn 2015.
  • Enrolment Statistics (recent)
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