General provisions

This is a compulsory course within the Bachelor's Programme of Oriental Studies, specialisation Political Science and the Arabic language.

Entry requirements

Arabic 5 and Special Course in Political Science I, 15 credits.

Learning outcomes

On completion of the course the student is expected to

- discuss the choice of method and design (case studies, comparative method, idea analysis) in a problem perspective

- write a short essay within a chosen problem area individually or in collaboration with other students; discuss and defend this essay at a seminar and also discuss another student’s essay and the contribution it makes

- actively participate in seminar discussions and make a presentation of his own work.

Content

On completion of the course the student is expected to have obtained the necessary knowledge and competence to define research problems as well as carrying out and assessing empirical studies of a simple but yet qualitative kind. The course thereby provides the student with the knowledge and understanding of some basic methodological questions in the field of social science. The skills practiced include the competence to identify, formulate and seek answers to political science problems; the ability to define and carry out an assignment within given time limits; the ability to present and discuss information, problems and solutions, orally as well as in the written form; the ability to work independently with research problems and various project assignments.

The course is divided into two parts.

The first part offers basic knowledge in scientific method. The students get a first introduction to empirical research and to the way in which different choices of method affect the realisation and results of a research project. The focus of the course is on basic methodological concepts and qualitative methods.

The course ends with an essay assignment. It consists of the independent realisation of a minor project chosen by the student and set up in consultation with an advisor. The work is done individually or in pairs with the support of an advisor and is presented orally at a final seminar, but also in the form of a written essay.

1. Methods, 6 credits

Course aims

The purpose of the course is to give the students a theoretical understanding of the basic concepts in social science research and methodological choices, and be able to apply this. The focus of the course is on qualitative methods as they are used in Political science and Development Studies. After completion of the course, students are expected to have acquired the following abilities:

- To formulate a research question relevant for political science or development studies

- To connect a research question to relevant previous research

- To understand the how to define and operationalise concepts

- To have a basic knowledge of methods in the analysis of ideas

Course content

The course is on methods in social science, with a focus on qualitative methods. Its core idea is that scientific method is best understood when applied. Therefore each part in the course will be applied in exercises by the students. The knowledge and understanding gained this way will also facilitate the students’ critical review of previous research.

The course emphasises the pivotal role for research and investigations of a clear and well formulated question. The question should steer the study and the methodological choices made by the author. The course will focus on several qualitative methods. The students will also acquaint themselves with different kinds of data material.

The training of these skills will be continuously examined during the course. The idea is to give the students opportunities to exercise in a rather concrete way the different components in social science research, and in this way to make it possible to deepen their understanding. Active participation, critical discussions, and feedback from the teacher in the seminars will enhance learning.

Teaching

The course will be introduced by lectures on the research process. Then each part of the course consists of lectures and a seminar when the students’ papers will be discussed. The language of teaching is Swedish.

Examination

Grades are awarded according to the scale “failed”, “pass” or “pass with distinction”. Examination is based on the written exam, seminar assignment as well as on active participation in the seminars. For the grade “pass” it is required that the student will have handed in all assignments, acquired the grade “pass” and actively participated in all the seminars, and acquired “pass” in the written exam.

2. Essay course, 9 credits

Learning outcomes

The aim of this course is for the student to gain the insights and skills required for the meaningful participation in a research process i.e. being able to examine the validity of arguments in the form of seminars. This essay assignment should train the student to distinguish and define a political science problem, to delimit and carry out a minor investigation relevant to this problem, and to present the results in a clear and concise way. One aim is for the student to become familiar with the appropriate methods for surveying the existing research on the issue, as well as gathering adequate data. The student should hereby gain concrete experience of different investigation methods and learn how these can be used to solve the various tasks of a research project. Furthermore the course should make the student understand the value of analysing the design of different research tasks, and to constructively consider the views of others.

Contents

The course requirement is to independently carry out a minor investigation chosen by the student himself and set up in consultation with a tutor. The work is done with the support of a tutor. The research is accounted for at a final seminar by an oral presentation, but above all, by a written paper. Another important part is for the students to analyse and to reflect together upon the design of different types of research tasks; the ones used by the student himself as well as those of his fellow students. At the final seminar the authors are expected to reflect orally upon and answer questions about their own investigation. Furthermore each student shall initiate the discussion about at least one other paper by acting as opponent, as well as actively participating in discussions on the other papers presented in the same seminar group. The student is expected to use secondary sources in the Arabic language with help of the supervisor.

Teaching

The focus of the teaching is on personal instruction adapted to the need of each student, individually or in a group form. At the end of the course the essays are presented and discussed in the seminar form. On this occasion the students are given the opportunity to evaluate the different types of projects and how they have been carried out from beginning to end, and what conclusions can be drawn from the specific problems dealt with in the process.

Examination

The examination is done by the presentation and discussion of essays in the seminar form where the course participants take active part in the roles as opponent, respondent or seminar participant. At this examination the main important thing is the quality of the essay concerning the precision of the problem to be studied, reference to previous studies, the application of the chosen method, and finally how well supported and clear the conclusions are. Creativity and analytical precision are especially qualifying. Oral contributions at the final seminar are also counted in for the examination.

Instruction

The teaching is given in the form of lectures, seminars, course papers, method exercises as well as individual guidance.

Assessment

The course examination is based on seminar participation, course papers, an exam and an essay assignment.