Магистратура 2025/2026

Основной семинар "Продвинутые теории и методы политических исследований"

Статус: Курс обязательный (Политика и глобальное управление в Евразии)

Кто читает: Департамент политологии и международных отношений

Где читается: Санкт-Петербургская школа социальных наук

Когда читается: 1-й курс, 1-4 модуль

Охват аудитории: для своего кампуса

Преподаватели: Стремоухов Денис Александрович

Язык: английский

Кредиты: 6

Course Syllabus

Abstract

The course offers an in-depth study of contemporary theories and methods in political science. Students will explore various approaches to analyzing political processes, institutions, and actors in the modern world. The course will cover general social scientific such as agency-structure dichotomy and the nature of causality, major approaches to theorizing political phenomena, contemporary methods of single-N and comparative research as well text analysis and data collection.

Learning Objectives

• To familiarize students with relevant approaches to and tools for academic research in contemporary Political Science
• To scrutinize various methodological paradigms and methods used for research on specific topics in Political Science
• To equip students with the necessary academic skills for MA thesis writing

Expected Learning Outcomes

• understands and critically assesses major ontoepistemological and theoretical approaches to political research
• formulates coherent research frameworks for one's research
• conducts methodologically sound academic research

Course Contents

• Ontological and epistemological foundations of Political Science
• Conducting research
• Political Science Methods
• Thesis proposals discussion

Assessment Elements

• In-class participation
  Students are expected to attend each seminar and regularly participate in discussions. The instructor grades the participation during the seminars based on the quality of answers, demonstration of engagement with the assigned readings and home tasks, and overall quantitative involvement in the in-class activities.
• Methodological book review
  Students are expected to read a book from the field of Political Science and comment on its ontoepistemlogical and theoretical assumptions, methodological framework, methods. The paper should assess the coherence between this elements and interpret the book throught ht prism of the course material. The review should also critisize the research from the perspective of other paradims discussed throughout the course.The paper's volume is 2000 words. The reference style is Chicago, in-text citations. The reference list is not included in the word count. The list of books for review is provided by the instructor. AI use is prohibited.
• Test
  The test covers the material of Modules 1 and 2.
• Article review
  Students are expected to choose any article from one of the top Political Science or International Relations journals (Q1) published in the last 5 years (from 2019 to 2024) and not covered in the course. Students are to write a review on this article that will summarize its content, place it in the context of debates and categories discussed in the first semester of the course as well as criticize it where appropriate. The volume is 1,500 words (one grade point is subtracted for each full 150 words above or below the specified word count.) The reference style is Chicago, in-text citations. The reference list is NOT included in the word count.
• Term paper draft
  Students are expected to submit the draft of their term paper. The requirements are the same as for the term papers themselves, according to the MA Programme's guidelines.
• Master thesis working plan

Interim Assessment

• 2025/2026 2nd module
  0.4 * Article review + 0.4 * Test + 0.2 * In-class participation
• 2025/2026 4th module
  0.2 * In-class participation + 0.4 * Methodological book review + 0.4 * Term paper draft
• 2026/2027 2nd module
  0.8 * In-class participation + 0.2 * Master thesis working plan

Bibliography

Recommended Core Bibliography

• Halperin, S. (DE-588)171616154, (DE-627)061837849, (DE-576)177909633, aut. (2012). Political research methods and practical skills Sandra Halperin and Oliver Heath.

Recommended Additional Bibliography

• Mahoney, J. (2015). Process Tracing and Historical Explanation. Security Studies, 24(2), 200–218. https://doi.org/10.1080/09636412.2015.1036610

Authors

• STREMOUKHOV DENIS ALEKSANDROVICH