CDSn4008 Conflict Methodology

Faculty of Social Studies
Autumn 2020
Extent and Intensity
1/1/0. 8 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
doc. Marek Rybář, M.A., Ph.D. (lecturer)
doc. Mgr. Peter Spáč, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
doc. Marek Rybář, M.A., Ph.D.
Department of Political Science – Faculty of Social Studies
Supplier department: Department of Political Science – Faculty of Social Studies
Timetable
Mon 5. 10. 10:00–11:40 Aula, Mon 12. 10. 8:00–9:40 P31 Posluchárna A. I. Bláhy, Mon 19. 10. 10:00–11:40 Aula, Mon 26. 10. 10:00–11:40 Aula, Mon 2. 11. 10:00–11:40 Aula, Mon 9. 11. 10:00–11:40 Aula, Mon 16. 11. 10:00–11:40 Aula, Mon 23. 11. 10:00–11:40 Aula, Mon 30. 11. 10:00–11:40 Aula, Mon 7. 12. 10:00–11:40 Aula, Mon 14. 12. 8:00–9:40 P31 Posluchárna A. I. Bláhy, Mon 4. 1. 10:00–11:40 Aula, Mon 11. 1. 10:00–11:40 Aula
Prerequisites
The course consists of lectures and class discussions. During the course students will write a thorough research design on a selected topic. The course includes extensive readings covering themes associated with theoretical and methodological aspects of research work.
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 course introduces key themes and problems of contemporary political analysis. It consists of four parts. The first part is introductory and offers information on basic research concepts and research design. Each of the three following parts concentrates on specific methods and research tools (interviews, analysis of discourse and metaphors, and statistical inference). After completion of the course, students should be able to use the research methods in their further analysis including their diploma thesis.
Learning outcomes
Upon succseeful completion of the course, the students will be able to plan, design, and carry out empirical research. Their abilities will include development, application, and testing of theories in both small- and large-N research, thus allowing them to prepare their final thesis and other research proposals in their future carriers.
Syllabus
  • 1. Introduction to methodology of Conflict and Democracy Studies 2. Is the science of (comparative) politics possible? 3. Structure and Agency 4. The role of ideas in political analysis 5. The dimensionality of power 6. Research design I – Research questions 7. Research design II – Theory, arguments and logic of inference 8. Research design III – Research proposal 9. Comparative method 10. Data gathering - Questionnaire 11. Data gathering – Interviewing, observation 12. Discussion seminar I 13. Discussion seminar II
Teaching methods
lectures, seminar discussions, individual and group presentations, work on individual research projects
Assessment methods
Active participation (20%)
Two written mini-research projects: Fulfillment of assignments of two out of three modules (2 * 30%)
Presentation of the research design (20%)
Language of instruction
English
Further Comments
Study Materials
The course is taught annually.
The course is also listed under the following terms Autumn 2021, Autumn 2022, Autumn 2023, Autumn 2024.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Autumn 2020, recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/fss/autumn2020/CDSn4008