Course description
Course Summary
The MRes is designed to provide a strong theoretical and practical introduction to the world of Political Science research. A key aim will be to expose the student to the range of general academic research skills and expertise expected of the professional researcher in the social sciences, especially in Political Science.
Course Details
Typical Modules
Core modules
Methods in Social and Political Research
Main topics of study: approaches to the study of politics; research design; normative enquiry; institutionalism; behaviouralism; comparative politics; rational choice; qualitative methods; quantitative methods 1; quantitative methods 2 - advanced techniques; historical and archival research; case studies; ethical questions in research.
Policy Analysis
Main topics of study: the EU political system – history, institutions, actors and decision making processes; the global political system –history, institutions, actors and decision-making processes; trade liberalisation – the Single European market versus the WTO; environmental policy – EU framework programmes versus UN Agenda 21; health policy –EU and global policies on HIV/AIDS; economic development policy – EU structural funds versus international development policy; gender policy – EU and global action for women's rights; identity policy – 'European citizenship' versus 'coca-colonisation'
Graduate Research Skills and Professional Development I and II
Main topics of study: reviewing research aims and objectives; choosing research methods; study design, sampling, and analytical issues in the use of such methods; appropriate resources for such studies; using information technologies; managing a research project, presenting research information.
Either
Comparative European Politics
or
European Union Public Policy
Main topics of study: concise overview of the history of European integration and the current institutional architecture of the EU; the making of the single market; impact of economic integration on member states' diverse traditions of public policy; public health; monetary union; implementation; public opinion and support for policy-making at the EU level; justice and home affairs; the concept of a democratic deficit and its implications.
Dissertation
Elective modules
One from:
Structures of Governance
Main topics of study: orientation: studying public policy-making and political system; policy networks and multi-level governance; the changing role of the state: from Westphalia to regulation?; devolution; Europeanisation; globalisation; power and authority: the decline of parliaments?; influence: interest groups, civil society and public policy-making; ideology: neoliberal consensus?; rethinking democracy: towards cosmopolitanism?
Parties and Voters in the UK
Main topics of study: party systems in the UK; structured identities and voting; rational choice and voting; issue voting; economic voting; the impact of electoral systems; the impact of national and constituency campaigning; electoral turnout; party ideologies; party organisation and finance; party members; measurement in psephology.
Health Policy
Germany Since 1945
Globalisation
Main topics of study: timescales of globalisation; trade, finance, and multinational corporations; the 'globalisation debate' and its precursors; keynesianism, social democracy, neo-liberalism; monetary regimes; international financial institutions; regionalisation; the 'Global South' in the world economy; international migration; globalisation and the states system; globalisation and social theory: modernity, post-modernity and capitalism; debating globalisation: boosters vs critics.
Guided Study Module
Special Features
Research
Elections, Political Parties, British, American and European Politics, International Relations, Intelligence and Security, Democratic Evaluation, Political Theory and Philosophy, Public and Social Policy, Public Affairs.
Assessment
A range of assessment methods is employed including, written coursework and examinations, presentations and the dissertation.
Careers
This course is recognised by the ESRC for 1+3 support, for both full-time and part-time modes. The programme will equip students with a range of research skills to enable them to successfully complete doctoral research in Political Science, either as an individual or part of a team.
