°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±¼Ç¼
PO2SOP: The Study of Politics
Module code: PO2SOP
Module provider: Politics; School of Philosophy, Politics and Economics
Credits: 20
Level: Level 2 (Intermediate)
When you'll be taught: Semester 1 / 2
Module convenor: Dr Adam Humphreys, email: a.r.humphreys@reading.ac.uk
Pre-requisite module(s):
Co-requisite module(s):
Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):
Module(s) excluded:
Placement information: NA
Academic year: 2024/5
Available to visiting students: Yes
Talis reading list: Yes
Last updated: 5 August 2024
Overview
Module aims and purpose
This module introduces and covers a range of different methods to understand, explain and analyse Politics and International relations. It focuses on giving students the ability to identify different methods and approaches to study Politics and International Relations and to provide the methodological skills to answer particular research questions appropriately. Â
The module covers qualitative methods (such as case studies and interviews), quantitative methods (data analysis and basic statistics), and methods of Political Theory (including normative/evaluative approaches). In doing so, it prepares students for more advanced study in Politics and International Relations, including but not limited to an undergraduate dissertation in Politics and International Relations.
Module learning outcomes
By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to:
- Demonstrate familiarity with a variety of different research methods used in the study of Politics and International Relations
- Identify different research questions and identify appropriate methods to answer them
- Interpret and evaluate current research across the broad discipline of Politics andInternational Relations,incluidng how research methods are used in academic work engaged in with other modules.
- Understand and apply qualitative and quantitative data relating to political phenomena
Module content
The module covers the following methods across three broader areas:Â
- Qualitative: including the logic of comparison, historical approaches, interviews, and content analysis Â
- Quantitative: including surveys, describing and exploring relationships in data, basic statistical analysis such as regression modelsÂ
- Political theory: including critical, interpretive, conceptual, and normative/evaluative approachesÂ
Structure
Teaching and learning methods
The module is mainly structured around a lecture series introducing a number of research methods used in the study of Politics and International Relations. This series of one-hour lectures will be divided into three sections, each with a particular methodological focus as outlined above.Â
There will also be introductory and concluding lectures to support students’ understanding of the division between different methods and kinds of questions, sessions introducing the assignments, as well as a lecture to introduce the Part 3 dissertation for those students who go on to do a dissertation in Politics and International Relations.Â
There will further be seminars accompanying the lectures to deepen the understanding of particular methods, and to assess the strengths and weaknesses of different methods and research strategies.Â
The module contains a PC Lab session (2 hours), where students learn to use a statistical software package and conduct and interpret own analysis based on set exercises.Â
Study hours
At least 28 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.
 Scheduled teaching and learning activities |  Semester 1 |  Semester 2 | Ìý³§³Ü³¾³¾±ð°ù |
---|---|---|---|
Lectures | 11 | 6 | |
Seminars | 4 | 2 | |
Tutorials | |||
Project Supervision | |||
Demonstrations | |||
Practical classes and workshops | 3 | 2 | |
Supervised time in studio / workshop | |||
Scheduled revision sessions | |||
Feedback meetings with staff | 1 | 1 | |
Fieldwork | |||
External visits | |||
Work-based learning | |||
 Self-scheduled teaching and learning activities |  Semester 1 |  Semester 2 | Ìý³§³Ü³¾³¾±ð°ù |
---|---|---|---|
Directed viewing of video materials/screencasts | |||
Participation in discussion boards/other discussions | |||
Feedback meetings with staff | |||
Other | |||
Other (details) | |||
 Placement and study abroad |  Semester 1 |  Semester 2 | Ìý³§³Ü³¾³¾±ð°ù |
---|---|---|---|
Placement | |||
Study abroad | |||
 Independent study hours |  Semester 1 |  Semester 2 | Ìý³§³Ü³¾³¾±ð°ù |
---|---|---|---|
Independent study hours | 81 | 89 |
Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.
Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.
Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.
Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.
Assessment
Requirements for a pass
Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 40% to pass this module.
Summative assessment
Type of assessment | Detail of assessment | % contribution towards module mark | Size of assessment | Submission date | Additional information |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Oral assessment | Group-based mini data project | 30 | Presentation of 10-15 minutes (tbc) | Semester 1, Teaching Week 8 | Students will do a group-based mini data project resulting in a group presentation. |
In-class test administered by School/Dept | Online multiple choice test | 30 | 90 minutes (tbc) | Semester 2, Teaching Weeks 8 | Critical review essay on a published piece of work selected from a list given by convenor |
Written coursework assignment | Critical review essay | 40 | 1,500 words | Semester 2, Assessment Week 1 | Critical review essay on a published piece of work selected from a list given by convenor |
Penalties for late submission of summative assessment
The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:
Assessments with numerical marks
- where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of three working days;
- the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
- where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
- where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.
Assessments marked Pass/Fail
- where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
- where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.
The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: /cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.
Formative assessment
Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.
The data project will be supported by a workshop PC Labs also involve formative exercises.
Reassessment
Type of reassessment | Detail of reassessment | % contribution towards module mark | Size of reassessment | Submission date | Additional information |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
In-class test administered by School/Dept | Online multiple choice test | 30 | 90 minutes (tbc) | During the University resit period | |
Written coursework assignment | Critical review essay | 40 | 1,500 words | During the University resit period | Critical review essay on a published piece of work selected from a list given by convenor. |
Oral reassessment | Individual mini data project | 30 | Presentation of 10-15 minutes (tbc) | During the University resit period | Students will do an individual mini date project resulting in a presentation. |
Additional costs
Item | Additional information | Cost |
---|---|---|
Computers and devices with a particular specification | ||
Printing and binding | ||
Required textbooks | ||
Specialist clothing, footwear, or headgear | ||
Specialist equipment or materials | ||
Travel, accommodation, and subsistence |
THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS MODULE DESCRIPTION DOES NOT FORM ANY PART OF A STUDENT'S CONTRACT.