Last update: 14.12.2016, Department Coordinator: Dr. Thomas Winter
Module Catalogue:
Political Science1
1
Please note that some courses in this module catalogue may change due to expiration of some MOOCs that are limited in time. Table of Contents Political Science at Kiron Module Overview Prep Semester Core Curriculum PS_M1: Introduction to Political Science PS_M2: Political Theory and Thought PS_M3: Comparative Politics PS_M4: Political Science Research Methods and Statistics 1 Political Science at Kiron Political Science deals with the process of political decision-making in modern societies. In this study track, you will learn how political processes work in states, private companies and civil societies. Political Scientists competently use scientific theories and methods to identify and analyze political scenarios and challenges. As part of the Kiron core curriculum in Political Science you will gain foundational competencies in fields such as sociology, globalization, international development, and policy analysis. Key Learning Outcomes After successfully completing the Political Science core curriculum, you ●
Understand what Political Science is about and what it can be used for ●
Have foundational knowledge in both theory and research practice in Political Science ●
Have a critical, theoretically profound and scientifically driven perspective on global political challenges 2 Module Overview Module Name Credit Points PREP PREP PREP PREP_PS Academic Study Skills Communication and Interaction Self-Management Skills Political Science - Prep PS_M1 PS_M2 PS_M3 PS_M4 Introduction to Political Science Political Theory and Thought Comparative Politics Political Science Research Methods and Statistics Total - - - - 9 9 8 12 38 CP Prep Semester During their first semester at Kiron, students are encouraged to take the courses offered in our preparatory section in order to refresh and advance the skills necessary for studying at university level under the special circumstances of online studies. These courses include Academic Study Skills, Self-Management Skills and Communication and Interaction, as well as study track specific refreshers e.g. in Mathematics. 3 Core Curriculum PS_M1: Introduction to Political Science Module Name Introduction to Political Science Module Content This module introduces the students to the main terminology (e.g institutions, state, conflict/consensus, peace), subjects and central questions of political science and its sub-fields. It will also cover foundations of scientific work: political science research, working with scientific literature and formalities and formulating problems and questions Teaching Methods Video lectures, readings, exercises Learning Outcomes - outline the characteristics of political science as an academic discipline - explain the main terminologies and objects of investigation in Political Science - distinguish between main approaches and perspectives of Political Science and its sub-disciplines - describe the foundations of scientific work - apply basic scientific working techniques as used in political science Courses Workload MOOCs Frequency/
Start Duration 122 h Introduction to Political Science https://learn.saylor.org/mod/page/view.php?id=460 self-paced 10 weeks 8 h Developing Your Research Project https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/research-project 24.10.2016 8 weeks 12 h Introduction to Research for Essay Writing https://www.coursera.org/learn/introduction-to-researc
h-for-essay-writing/home/welcome 17.10.2016 4 weeks 90 h Tutorial TBA 10 weeks Credits 9 CP Examination Quizzes, assignments, exams Prerequisites 4 PS_M2: Political Theory and Thought Module Name Political Theory and Thought Module Content The module introduces the students to the sub-discipline of political theory and will address core questions and concepts of the sub-field with reference to key theorists such as Aristotle, Hobbes or Marx. There will be a focus on the formation, structure, function and legitimacy of political rule and theories of democracy. The module will also discuss the applicability of classical theories to current political debates. Teaching Methods Video lectures, readings, exercises Learning Outcomes - outline the most important political theories from ancient to modern times - describe the historical development of political thinking by reference to central thinkers and literature - analyse and reflect the ideas developed by political theory, especially regarding the legitimacy of political rule - relate classical positions to current political issues and contexts Courses Workload MOOCs Frequency
/Start Duration 147 h Introduction to Western Thought https://learn.saylor.org/course/view.php?id=47 self-paced 10 weeks 92 h Tutorial TBA 10 weeks Credits 9 CP Examination Quizzes, assignments, exams Prerequisites PS_M1 5 PS_M3: Comparative Politics Module Name Comparative Politics Module Content This module introduces students to the theories and methods of Comparative Politics. It provides students with an understanding of the central research questions and fields within the Comparative Politics subdiscipline. Using practical examples and case studies, students are provided with an understanding of the institutional (polity), processual (politics) and material (policy) dimension of political systems. Students will further be introduced to approaches used in Comparative Politics research in order to analyse regime types, elections and electoral systems, parties and party systems, types of governance institutions, democracy types, political performance and political culture. They will be introduced into the political systems of the United States of America and of Germany as exemplary cases. Teaching Methods Video lectures, readings, exercises Learning Outcomes - describe the central theoretical concepts and research questions of comparative politics - describe a number of political systems worldwide and explain their variations, using core concepts and methods of comparative politics - describe the most important elements (e.g. institutions, actors or political cultures) of the political systems of the U.S. and Germany - explain the logic of the comparative method and apply it to a number of real-world cases - analyse and interpret current political events and come to well-founded conclusions, using the concepts and methods of comparative politics Courses Workload MOOCs Frequency
/Start Duration 83 h Introduction to Comparative Politics https://learn.saylor.org/course/view.php?id=344 self-paced 10 weeks 48 h American Government https://www.edx.org/course/american-government-har
vardx-hks101a archived 16 weeks 90 h Tutorial TBA 10 weeks Credits 8 CP Examination Quizzes, assignments, exams Prerequisites PS_M1 6 PS_M4: Political Science Research Methods and Statistics Module Name Political Science Research Methods and Statistics Module Content This module provides students with an understanding of systematic political science research and its application. The focus lies on quantitative and qualitative research and their methodologies. The lessons deal with the research process, research design, selection process, sampling design and various methods of data collection and analysis for Political Science. The module provides an introduction to statistics for social science research, including the programming language/software environment R. Teaching Methods Video lectures, readings, exercises Learning Outcomes - explain the theoretical foundations of scientific research - differentiate between qualitative and quantitative methods in the social sciences and assess theirs respective strengths and weaknesses - appropriately apply research methods in the social sciences, including the formulation of a research hypothesis, research design, data collection and analysis as well as proper documentation - apply statistical methods for analysing political and social problems and developments, using a software environment for statistical computing (R) Courses Workload MOOCs Frequency/
Start Duration 40 h Quantitative Methods https://www.coursera.org/learn/quantitative-methods 24.10.2016 7 weeks 48 h Qualitative Research Methods https://www.coursera.org/learn/qualitative-methods 24.10.2016 7 weeks 48 h Questionnaire Design for Social Surveys https://www.coursera.org/learn/questionnaire-design 31.10.2016 6 weeks 32 h Basic Statistics https://www.coursera.org/learn/basic-statistics 10.10.2016 7 weeks 21 h Inferential Statistics https://www.coursera.org/learn/inferential-statistics 10.10.2016 6 weeks 39 h Methods and Statistics in Social Sciences - Final 26.12.2016 Research Project https://www.coursera.org/learn/social-science-capstone 7 weeks 90 h Tutorial 10 weeks Credits 12 CP Examination Quizzes, assignments, exams Prerequisites PS_M1 TBA 7 8