MEB421 Selected research methods in international relations

Faculty of Social Studies
Autumn 2018
Extent and Intensity
1/1/0. 8 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
Mgr. Kateřina Fridrichová, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Mgr. Lukáš Lehotský, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
doc. PhDr. Břetislav Dančák, 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
Timetable
Fri 12. 10. 10:00–13:40 U35, Fri 19. 10. 10:00–13:40 U35, Fri 26. 10. 10:00–13:40 U42, Fri 2. 11. 10:00–13:40 U35, Fri 9. 11. 10:00–13:40 U42, Fri 16. 11. 10:00–13:40 U35
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is only offered to the students of the study fields the course is directly associated with.

The capacity limit for the course is 20 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 0/20, only registered: 0/20
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
The Course introduces students to various research methods applicable in the international relations discipline. The first part of the Course deals with basic methodology issues such as different research logics/practices, research question formulation, research design construction, data handling etc. The following part consists from teaching blocs dedicated to particular methods (most of them are appropriate for small or medium N) such as case study, qualitative comparative analysis, grounded theory, game theory, scenario analysis and others. Each bloc consists from two parts: (1) lecture which introduces methodological background and “mechanics” of a given method and (2) workshop where the students apply the method to a given model problem. The students are obliged to submit assignments for particular blocs as well as final project (formulation of research design).
Syllabus
  • 1) Course organization. Research in social sciences: assumptions, concepts, limits 2) Social science methodologies 3) Research design 4) Case study 5) Case study and game theory 6) Qualitative comparative analysis 7) Grounded theory 8) Network analysis 9) Prediction making 10) Scenario making and network flow analysis
Literature
  • GERRING, John. Case study research : principles and practices. New York: Cambridge University Press, 2007, x, 265. ISBN 9780521676564. info
  • RAGIN, Charles C. Fuzzy-set social science. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2000, xviii, 352. ISBN 0226702766. info
  • HOLLIS, Martin and Steve SMITH. Mezinárodní vztahy: výklad a porozumění : Explaining and understanding international relations (Orig.) : Teorie mezinárodních vztahů : interpretace a porozumění (Variant.). 1. vyd. Brno: Centrum pro studium demokracie a kultury, 2000, 248 s. ISBN 80-85959-64-X. info
  • SCOTT, John. Social network analysis : a handbook. 2nd ed. London: SAGE, 2000, x, 208. ISBN 0761963383. info
  • VAN EVERA, Stephen. Guide to methods for students of political science. Ithaca: Cornell University Press, 1997, vi, 136. ISBN 080148457X. info
  • KING, Gary, Sidney VERBA and Robert O. KEOHANE. Designing social inquiry :scientific inference in qualitative research. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1994, xi, 247 s. ISBN 0-691-03471-0. info
Teaching methods
lectures, practical excercses under the lecturer/seminar tutor supervision, individual preparation of seven assignments which cover discussed methods, individual preparation of a research design proposal, readings serve to broaden and deepen the spectrum of knowledge students acquire during lectures.
Assessment methods
The final grade is calculated as a composite evaluation consisting of following four parts: (1) attendance, (2) midterm exam, (3) assignments, (4) final project.
Language of instruction
Czech
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
Study Materials
The course is taught annually.
The course is also listed under the following terms Autumn 2012, Autumn 2013, Autumn 2014, Autumn 2015, Autumn 2016, Autumn 2017, Autumn 2019.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Autumn 2018, recent)
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