UNIVERSITY OF KENT
MODULE SPECIFICATION TEMPLATE
SECTION 1: MODULE SPECIFICATIONS
1.
Title of the module
PO326, Introduction to Political Science
2.
School or partner institution which will be responsible for management of the module
Politics and International Relations
3.
Start date of the module
September 2012 (revised version start date September 2014)
4.
The number of students expected to take the module
Ca. 250
5.
Modules to be withdrawn on the introduction of this proposed module and consultation with other
relevant Schools and Faculties regarding the withdrawal
This specification replaces an earlier version of this module. No modules are to be withdrawn.
6.
The level of the module (e.g. Certificate [C], Intermediate [I], Honours [H] or Postgraduate [M])
Certificate/Level 4
7.
The number of credits and the ECTS value which the module represents
15 (7.5 ECTS)
8.
Which term(s) the module is to be taught in (or other teaching pattern)
Autumn
Prerequisite and co-requisite modules
None
9.
10. The programmes of study to which the module contributes
This is a compulsory module for all first year Politics students on single-honours BA programmes for
which the School of Politics and International Relations is responsible. It is also a required module
for all joint honours programmes involving Politics. The module is also available as a wild option to
non-POLIR students.
11. The intended subject specific learning outcomes
On successful completion of this module students will
11.1: Be able to understand the different approaches used in the study of Politics
11.2: Be able to understand the basic logic of the research process
11.3: Be familiar with several themes central to political research
11.4: Have improved their ability to identify and use evidence, including basic statistical techniques
11.5: Be able to choose among a wide range of approaches to develop their own methods to explore
substantive research questions in the fields of politics and international relations.
12. The intended generic learning outcomes
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UNIVERSITY OF KENT
On successful completion of this module students will be able to:
12.1: Engage critically with political phenomena, including the vocabulary, concepts, theories and
methods of political debate
12.2: Examine and evaluate different interpretations of political issues, events and solutions to
problems
12.3: Describe, evaluate and apply different approaches involved in collecting, analysing and
presenting political information, including basic statistical techniques
12.4: Develop reasoned arguments, synthesise relevant information and exercise critical judgement
12.5: Reflect on and manage their own learning and seek to make use of constructive feedback from
peers and staff to enhance their performance and personal skills
12.6: Work independently, demonstrating initiative, self-organisation and time-management
13. A synopsis of the curriculum
This core module introduces students to the wide range of different methodologies commonly
employed in political science. This includes the scientific method and both traditional and newer
forms of research. In support of this, students will also be introduced to some of the fields of inquiry
that dominate the study of politics, including public choice, social movements, economic
development and democracy, inter alia. Pedagogically, the module integrates these two main
components to create both an awareness of the breadth of political science and its approaches,
ultimately providing students with the foundation for further study in political science.
Substantive topics include: the nature of inquiry (questioning and determining what constitutes
evidence), methods of comparison, and what are data, theory and hypotheses. They will also be
introduced to and explore quantitative methods, formal methods, experimental methods and
empirical quantitative methods. Finally, students will be introduced to concepts such as equivalence,
selection bias, spuriousness, value bias and ecological and individualist fallacy in order to illuminate
the difficulties faced when making comparisons.
14. Indicative Reading List
Halperin, Sandra and Oliver Heath. 2012. Political Research: Methods and Practical Skills. New York:
Oxford University Press.
Blastland, Michael and Andrew Dilnot. 2007. The Tiger That Isn’t: Seeing through a world of numbers.
Profile Books.
King, Gary. Robert O. Keohane, and Sidney Verba. 1994. Designing Social Inquiry: Scientific
Inference in Qualitative Research. Princeton University Press.
Marsh, David and Gerry Stoker.1995. Theory and Methods in Political Science Palgrave Macmillan.
Moses, Jonathon and Torbjørn Knutsen. 2007. Ways of Knowing: Competing Methodologies in Social
and Political Research: Competing Methodologies and Methods in Social and Political Research,
Palgrave Macmillan.
15. Learning and Teaching Methods, including the nature and number of contact hours and the total
study hours which will be expected of students, and how these relate to achievement of the intended
module learning outcomes
Lectures
Schedule: 11 contact hours
Learning outcomes: (11.1-11.3, 12.1-12.4) Lectures introduce the key research methods in political
science, inspect their origins (epistemologies) and examine their applications to the study of political
science.
Achievement of learning outcomes: Outcomes will be achieved through the oral and visual
presentation of lecture material that will introduce the relevant issues and present key concepts,
methods and techniques as well as examples of substantial research questions and empirical
research.
Guided Seminars
Schedule: 11 contact hours Students will meet every week with their peers and a seminar leader.
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UNIVERSITY OF KENT
Learning outcomes: (11.4-11.5, 12.1-12.5) These seminars will be opportunities to employ/assess
the topics in the lectures (with guided discussion). In particular, students will gain comprehensive
understanding by linking the methods introduced in the lecture to specific applications of analysis in
the literature; apply concepts and methods; structure, evaluate and support or reject arguments in
the discussions and assignments.
Achievement of learning outcomes: These outcomes will be achieved through the seminar
discussions in which students develop their understanding through interaction, co-operation and
discussion with their peers. This is partially achieved through group work.
Empirical Research Workshops
Schedule: 4 hours Students will work with their peers and a seminar leader on real applications of
empirical research.
Learning outcomes: (11.4-5, 12.1-12.5) The workshops will introduce students to the tools of
empirical research including basic statistical methods and software.
Achievement of learning outcomes: These outcomes will be achieved through students’ own
research efforts and the preparation of research reports on these.
Independent Study
Schedule: 119 hours
This study will involve students reading the recommended texts, assimilating and reflecting on the
lecture material, preparing for seminars and researching and writing the coursework assignments.
Learning outcomes: (11.1-11.5, 12.1-12.6) In particular, explore in detail aspects and issues
introduced in the lectures; link them to wider issues in political research; reflect critically on them.
Achievement of learning outcomes: These outcomes will be achieved through students’ own reading,
research and preparation of research reports and quizzes..
16. Assessment methods and how these relate to testing achievement of the intended module learning
outcomes
Formative assessment of student engagement will be given throughout the module,
especially in seminars and through the quantitative research assignments. The
quantitative assignments will take the form of reports of the students' experiences
implementing original research projects.
Summative assessment will be based on the students’ weekly assignments. The weekly
assignments (9) will take two forms. The first will be research reports based on the
substantive content of lectures and seminars as well as the methods and techniques
introduced in the empirical workshop. The second will be short-answer responses to the
assigned readings, lectures and seminar activities. Thus, summative assessment of the
module will be based on the following:
Type of
assessment
Online quiz
Research
reports
Task
Learning
outcomes
assessed
Students will submit short-answer 11.1-5
work that relate to the lecture
12.1-6
content, readings and exercises
carried out in the seminars.
There will be 5 assignments,
weighted equally towards the
cumulative total.
Weight towards
final mark (%)
Students will submit written
11.1-5
reports based on content covered 12.1-6
in empirical workshops, lectures
and seminars. There will be 2
assignments; the first will be
1000 words worth 32%, the
second will be 2000 words worth
80%
3
20%
UNIVERSITY OF KENT
48% of the final mark.
17. Implications for learning resources, including staff, library, IT and space
a. Staff: no additional resources required
b. Library: minimal additional resources required, covered by the School
c. IT: quantitative workshops will require student access to Excel in the workshops and to
complete assignments. Additional resources (laptop loans) are being provided by the Kent
Counts Q-Step Centre.
d. Space: mainly within existing resources; some extra teaching space will be required for
the ‘empirical research workshops’. Availability of such space has been confirmed by
Timetabling, and the rooms have been booked.
18. The School recognises and has embedded the expectations of current disability equality
legislation, and supports students with a declared disability or special educational need in
its teaching. Within this module we will make reasonable adjustments wherever necessary,
including additional or substitute materials, teaching modes or assessment methods for
students who have declared and discussed their learning support needs. Arrangements for
students with declared disabilities will be made on an individual basis, in consultation with
the University’s/Collaborative Partner’s (delete as applicable) disability/dyslexia support
service, and specialist support will be provided where needed.
19. Campus(es) where module will be delivered: Canterbury
If the module is part of a programme in a Partner College or Validated Institution, please
complete the following:
20. Partner College/Validated Institution:
21. University School responsible for the programme:
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UNIVERSITY OF KENT
SECTION 2: MODULE IS PART OF A PROGRAMME OF STUDY IN A UNIVERSITY SCHOOL
Statement by the School Director of Learning and Teaching/School Director of Graduate Studies
(as appropriate): "I confirm I have been consulted on the above module proposal and have given advice
on the correct procedures and required content of module proposals"
................................................................
29 September 2014
Director of Learning and Teaching
Date
Stefan Rossbach
Print Name
Statement by the Head of School: "I confirm that the School has approved the introduction of the
module and, where the module is proposed by School staff, will be responsible for its resourcing"
.................................................................
..............................................
Head of School
Date
…………………………………………………….
Print Name
SECTION 3: MODULE IS PART OF A PROGRAMME IN A PARTNER COLLEGE OR VALIDATED
INSTITUTION
Statement by the Nominated Officer of the College/Validated Institution (delete as applicable): "I
confirm that the College/Validated Institution (delete as applicable) has approved the introduction of the
module and will be responsible for its resourcing"
.................................................................
Nominated Responsible Officer of Partner
College/Validated Institution
..............................................
Date
………………………………………………….
Print Name
…………………………………………………..
Post
………………………………………….
Partner College/Validated Institution
Module Specification Template
Last updated July 2014
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