CDS409 Conflict Methodology

Faculty of Social Studies
Autumn 2018
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)
Mgr. Otto Eibl, Ph.D. (seminar tutor)
Guaranteed by
prof. PhDr. Stanislav Balík, Ph.D.
Department of Political Science – Faculty of Social Studies
Supplier department: Department of Political Science – Faculty of Social Studies
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. Special attention is devoted to the role of theory in analysing political and social phenomena. Students become familiar with the concepts of ontology, epistemology and methodology and will understand various trade-offs involved in choosing specific analytical approaches. Furthermore, the students will be able to plan, design, and realize 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
Language of instruction
English
Further Comments
Study Materials
The course is taught annually.
The course is taught: every week.
The course is also listed under the following terms Autumn 2019.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Autumn 2018, recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/fss/autumn2018/CDS409