Archive for the ‘Course Outline’ Category

is defined as recognition of physical limits to action, when ends are beyond means, there is an identifiable process of calculation whereby ends are matched with means and opportunities

Irrationality is a persistent inability to recognise the physical limits to action, an absence of a process of calculation of means and ends.

The state

Assumption of an evil human nature

The highest aim is state security or survival. There is no higher loyalty in politics

The state is the foundation of political order. A concept of political order

Realists concept of international order is a product of the states system

Power

States are engaged in an unending quest for power

Power is the ability to obtain results, to coerce or compel, to deter, to attract, to persuade

Power is the use of resources and capabilities to effect desired outcomes

Power is the means to the state and to achieve other interest

Power can also be an end in itself as a relational concept, to have more or as much power as other states in the international system

Power and interest

In realism states are segregated in terms of power, superpower, great power, middle and small powers

For a hegemonic state, or an aspiring great power, interest is power to control others, to prevent them acting against it

For middle and small states, power is ensuring security, and specific interests

Security

Military security, or the absence of the threat of external attack from the external environment

Political security, the absence of subversion or danger of ideological threat

Economic security, maintaining economic stability in globalization (example economic/mercantilist realism)

Environmental, pollution, water rights, climate change, energy security

Instruments of power

Military deterrence, ability to prevent or deflect a military threat to the state, the importance of military capabilities

Diplomatic- Alliances, an agreement to act with another state upon a particular event, an invasion, a hostile act.

Alignment- agreement in a specific policy question.

Balance of power- Purpose is to prevent hegemony by one state, and to maintain the independence of all states

It can be defined in terms of a shifting pattern of alignments intended to prevent any one power from gaining a permanent advantage over others

Concert of powers

The means by which the peace of Europe was maintained in the 19th century

It requires

Agreement on the territorial status quo

Agreement on specific spheres of influence

Regular meetings of all great power diplomats where adjustments would be agreed

Shifting alignments between them to give effect to policy decisions

War

War is a legitimate instrument of policy

War is a an organized act of violence intended to secure a particular policy aim

War is the means by which issues of power relations are settled

Carl von Clausewitz [1780-1831] War as an instrument of policy

Served in Prussian army, later in Russian army against Napoleon in 1812

On War [1834]

War cannot be an end in itself,

War as an extension of policy

Strict political control of war and strategy

Realism vs militarism

War an a policy instrument versus war disconnected from policy goals

Realism and morality

Amoral and State morality

Killing is prohibited in domestic laws but assassination of enemy head of state or decapitation attack is allowed. (to reduce casualty?)

Realism in history

Thucydides and the Peloponnesian war [431-404 BC] “The strong do what they may and the weak do what they must”

Machiavelli-acquire, maintain and expand power to unite a state, like the need of Italy during his time (1469-1527), deal with threats and build strong institutions so the strong state will endure.

Example of German Realism- Otto von Bismarck (1815-1898) Prussian PM then German chancellor-

English Realism- Edward Hallet Carr 1892-1982 (historian at Trinity College, Oxford)-power and not ethics will keep man in check

American Realism-Reinhold Niebuhr (1892-1971)- Christian theologian, the difference between personal and group morality.

Soviet realism-the Soviet state as the highest aim

Hans Morgenthau-(1904-1980)- Politics Among Nations [1948] All political behaviour can be seen as the attempt to, keep power, increase power, demonstrate power.

-ability to choose least evil option from a series of bad options

-ability to distinguish between the desirable and the possible

The Dichotomy of Realism

Realism as Power and Realism as interest

Neo realism- Kenneth Waltz, Theory of International Relations [1979]

state as main actor

Structure, as the distribution of capabilities

Anarchy, as absence of world government

Problems of neo realism

Definition of structure and anarchy

Failed to account for end of the Cold War, collapse of the USSR, rise and expansion of the EU, US post Cold War hegemony

In Conclusion

-how to account for human rights and justice

-what about economic interdependence?

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Soc. Sci. 2 Course Outline

Posted by Brian C. Ventura on June 11, 2010

University of the Philippines Visayas
Division of Social Sciences
College of Arts and Sciences

Social Science 2
(Social, Economic and Political Thoughts)

Instructor: Prof. Brian C. Ventura
Term: First Semester AY 2010-11
Class Meeting: TF 1:00-2:30 Room: R 102
Consultation Hours: MTh 11:00-12:00, 1:00-2:30,T F 2:30-5:00 or by appointment
Prerequisite: None Section: 3 Credits: 3 Units
E-mail Address: brian.c.ventura@gmail.com
Webpage: http://brianventura@wordpress.com
Office: Division of Social Sciences Faculty Room, Bulwagang Tomas Fonacier

If oxen and horses could draw and make statues as man do, oxen would draw the pictures of gods like oxen, and horses like horses.
Xenophanes

Civilization is thus a hopeless race to discover remedies for the evils it produces.
Rousseau

General Course Description:

This course is a survey of social, economic and political thinkers from the classical to the modern period.

Course Objective:

Why do you need to read long texts that are “hard to understand”? Are these texts, written centuries ago, still relevant to your daily life today? This class will be conducted under the premise that learning the ideas from these texts is a basic need, because you need to make sense of all the information that you absorb everyday and adopt a certain coherent framework or philosophy to process them to become your “understanding” of what is happening and why it is happening in the society.

You make choices, but before this you should know why you do so, still, before that you should ask whether these are really “choices” in the first place. Social, economic, and political thinkers deal with these problems in their works and, it is hoped, that you will learn from them.

More specifically the class will endeavor to achieve the following objectives;

1. to help the students understand and appreciate the important ideas of selected social, economic and political thinkers
2. to enable the students to locate the ideas in their respective historical contexts
3. to help the students understand the society’s evolution which produced
4. the present social, economic and political condition or arrangement
5. to use the ideas as guide in understanding and analyzing the present social, economic and political condition of the Philippines and the world

Assessment Scheme:

Assessment of students’ performance in this class will be based on the following;

Components Grade percentage
Class participation 20%
Quizzes and Assignments 20%
2 Long Examinations 40%
Final Examination or activity 20%
Total grade 100%

Class Participation: It is expected that students are prepared before coming to class every meeting. This means that you have read, reread, and comprehended, assigned reading/s before entering the class, or at least have tried your best to do so. Coming to class means that you are interested to contribute and learn in classroom activities. Participation in discussion means raising pertinent and well grounded points or questions and not merely reading the book in front of the course instructor and your classmates. Names will be called randomly, unless there are volunteers. It should be noted that class participation includes not only answering but asking pertinent and discussion worthy questions as well. You will also engage in informal debates and argumentation, therefore skills in construction, defense, and offense of argument is important. However, it is imperative that exchange of ideas should always be in a cordial manner. If you disagree with a certain idea or person, disagree in an agreeable manner.

Quizzes and Assignments: Quizzes are not announced. These are given to check whether you have done your reading assignments or not. It is always in essay form. It is therefore implied that aside from your knowledge about the thinkers, written communication skill is also important.

Long Examinations: After discussing the readings, students’ understanding and ability to analyze and evaluate the basic concepts and ideas of thinkers will be assessed in two or three long examinations. All examinations in this class will be in essay form thus it should be reiterated that not only knowledge about the ideas of the thinkers will be assessed but your ability to communicate your ideas as well. It is important that you know how to properly present your ideas and to establish strong arguments to support it. It is also important that you will carefully understand the instructions in the examination. Not following the instruction will result to a grade of 5 for the exam. The coverage and schedule of exam will be announced in the class.

Rating Scale and Grading Policy: Since due dates are nonnegotiable no grade of “INC” will be given in this class. Those who are unable to submit the requirement/s in due time will have a corresponding grade of “5.0” for that specific component. Conversion of the percentage grade into the final grade will follow this matrix.

Percentage Final Grade
Equivalent
100% 1.0
95-99% 1.25
90-94% 1.5
85-89% 1.75
80-84% 2.0
75-79% 2.25
70-74% 2.5
65-69% 2.75
60-64% 3.0
55-59% 4.0
54% and below 5.0

General Class Rules:

Attendance and Tardiness: Students with more than six unexcused absences will be automatically given a grade of five (5) unless he or she has formally dropped the course. It is your responsibility to apply for dropping if you have exceeded the limit of unexcused absences, not an Instructor’s prerogative. Arriving fifteen minutes (15 min.) after the start of the class is considered late. Arriving half an hour after the start of the class is considered absent. Three late marks is equivalent to one absent mark.

Class Discussion: Names will be called randomly. Once your name is called you have the right and the duty to contribute. Language is not a barrier for articulating ideas so long as mutual understanding is guaranteed. Being absent on the previous meeting/s means that it is your responsibility to review the discussion on the day/s when you were absent. You are an important participant in learning therefore your contribution in class room learning is highly valued.

Students’ Responsibility: It is expected that you are reading and understanding the literatures assigned to or pertinent with the topic before coming to class. The role of the instructor is only to facilitate in the birthing process of ideas and to assess students’ performance. Grades are not made but only calculated based on the set of given provided by the students’ performance.

Course Schedule: The discussion will follow the outline. In case of any unforeseeable and unavoidable interruptions a make up class will be scheduled in a mutually convenient and feasible time and place.

Academic Honesty: Plagiarism is a serious academic offense punishable by a grade of 5.0 or expulsion. You are expected to observe proper rules in citing sources and to provide appropriate credits to borrowed ideas. Cheating during examination and quizzes will also be subject to similar rule.

Tips for better learning experience in this class:

On dealing with the literature: Not all the literatures are easy to comprehend. In order to better understand what the philosophers mean you need to read and reread their works. Reading it once is definitely insufficient. It will also be helpful if you consult various sources for different interpretations of the text, but interpretation of other authors can’t substitute to the original text. The list of references provided in this outline is not exhaustive enough. The library has more books that could help you in achieving the objectives of this class. Always have with you a dictionary to help in defining words and concepts in the philosophers’ texts that are still unfamiliar to you. It is wrong to assume that by repeatedly reading a concept that you can’t understand you will get its meaning. Having such an assumption will hinder you to understand some key concepts that are being addressed in the texts. Remember that the goal of the class is to comprehend and analyze the theories and not just to repeat and reread it.

On class room recitation: Make sure that when you raise a point it is well grounded. When asked to explain concepts do not simply repeat what the author said. Demonstrate your understanding by citing examples and cases relevant to the concept/s and restating it in your own words.

Topic Outline

June Topic

11
I. Introductory Discussion
1. the course outline
2. the overall conduct of the class
3. the concepts of social, economic and political

15, 18 and 22
II. the Greek Thinkers
1. Plato and The Republic
A. the concept of justice
B. the craft of ruling and the organization of the state
C. the three waves

25 and 29
2. Aristotle and Politics
A. man as a political animal
B. the citizen and the good man
C. the best form of government
July Topic

2, 6 and 9
III. Medieval Thinkers
3. Augustine and The City of God
A. the tale of the two cities
B. the relationship of the state and the church
C. freedom in enslavement

13 and 16
4. Aquinas and Summa Theologica
A. relationship of religion and philosophy
B. on law
C. the need for human law

20 and 23
IV. Sixteenth through the Eighteenth Century Thinkers
5. Machiavelli and The Prince
A. politics is pornography
B. the mind of a warrior
C. of love, fear and hate
D. the prince and the people

27
Review for the First Long Exam
July 30 First Long Examination

August Topic

3 and 6
6. Hobbes and The Leviathan
A. a war of all against all
B. the sovereign and the people
C. the danger of conscience, religion and private opinion

10 and 13
7. Locke and Two Treatise of Civil Government
A. a state of perfect freedom, with war and inconveniences
B. the end of government and legislative supremacy
C. to rebel or not to rebel

17 and 20
8. Rousseau and The Social Contract
A. man as a noble savage
B. born free but everywhere in chain
C. to force one to be free

24 and 27
9. Smith and The Wealth of the Nation
A. on the division of labor
B. economic value
C. role of the government

31
Review meeting
September Topic

3, 7 and 10
V. Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries
10. Marx and Engels and The Communist Manifesto
A. history of society as history of class struggle
B. the dialectic method and the materialist conception of history
C. the doom of capitalism and the withering away of the state

14 and 17
11. Nietzsche, Beyond Good and Evil and thus spoke Zarathustra
A. the will to power
B. transvaluation of values
C. worm..man……..and….the übermensch

Review for the Second Long Exam
September 24 Second Long Examination

To be arranged

Final Exam or Final Class Activity

References:

Curtis, Michael. The Great Political Thinkers vol. 1 and vol.2 Avon Books New York 1981

Collins, Randall and Makowsky, Michael. The Discovery of Society 5th edition McGrawHill, Inc. USA 1993

Ebenstein William and Ebenstein, Alan. Great Political Thinkers. Plato to the Present Sixth Edition Thompson Wadsworth Singapore 2000

Heilbroner, Robert. The Making of Economic Society 9th edition Prentice Hall, New Jersey 1993

Important reminder about the references: Not all of the references listed above are required references. Students are advised to consult other references so as not to be constrained by the limited number of copies of books in the library.

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Pol. Sci. 180 Course Outline

Posted by Brian C. Ventura on June 10, 2010

University of the Philippines Visayas
Division of Social Sciences
College of Arts and Sciences
Political Science 180
(International Politics)

Instructor: Prof. Brian C. Ventura
Term: First Semester AY 2010-11
Class Meeting: M Th 4:00-5:30 Room: R205
Consultation Hours: MTh 11:00-12:00, 1:00-2:30 ,T F 2:30-5:00 or by appointment
Prerequisite: Pol. Sci. 11 and 14 Section: 1 Credits: 3 Units
E-mail Address: brian.c.ventura@gmail.com
Webpage: http://brianventura@wordpress.com
Office: Division of Social Science Faculty Room, Bulwagang Tomas Fonacier

Course Description

This course provides an overview of the history, concepts and issues in international politics. The class will examine both the relationship between states and between state and non-state actors, with the goal of identifying the enduring rules, (if any) and changing trends in the relationship of various actors across borders.

More specifically the course aims to;

• Define the basic concepts and terms in the understanding of international politics
• Trace the historical development of the international system and the various actors within in from the Pre-Westphalian period, the Westphalian period, the Cold War, Post Cold war, up to the present
• Evaluate the arguments of various perspectives in the understanding and study of international system.
• Identify and explain the enduring issues and changing trends in the relationship of various actors in the international system.

Assessment Scheme:

Assessment of students’ performance in this class will be based on the following;

Components Grade percentage
Midterm Examination 30%
Final Examination 30%
Paper and Presentation 25%
Quizzes and Assignment 15%
Total grade 100%

Midterm and Final Examinations: After discussing the readings, students’ understanding and ability to analyze and evaluate the basic concepts and ideas of thinkers will be assessed in two or three long examinations. Examinations will be a mixture of objective and essay questions. It should be reiterated that not only knowledge about the ideas of the thinkers will be assessed but your ability to communicate your ideas as well. It is important that you know how to properly present your ideas and to establish strong arguments to support it. It is also important that you will carefully understand the instructions in the examination. Not following the instruction will result to a grade of 5 for the exam. The coverage and schedule of exam will follow the order of the course outline.

Stand Paper and Presentation: The class will be divided in to three or four groups that will present one of the topics listed in part VII of the topic outline. If the group would like to propose a different topic, the group must argue the importance of the topic and present an outline for approval. This is called a Stand Paper because every group will have to evaluate the various sides of the argument surrounding their chosen topic, with each member representing one stand in the class presentation and in his or her paper. Follow the bellow instruction carefully;

Stage One. Before the class presentation, an outline must be consulted to the instructor. The outline must include 1. the topics to be discussed 2. the persons assigned for a given topic. 3. a comprehensive list of literature covering the major issues of the topic chosen 4. current example proving the point of each argument Consultation must be scheduled as a group.

Stage Two. During the presentation the group must 1. provide handouts to the instructor and the whole class 2. use visual aids. 3. divide the time within the group accordingly.

Stage Three. After the presentation a final paper will be submitted. The paper should follow the following instructions; 1. only 8 to 10 pages. 2. must use not less than 15 sources, with 13 books and journal sources and only two online sources. 3 be submitted on or before the due date. 4. follow the APSA style guide.

Percentage Final Grade
Equivalent
100% 1.0
95-99% 1.25
90-94% 1.5
85-89% 1.75
80-84% 2.0
75-79% 2.25
70-74% 2.5
65-69% 2.75
60-64% 3.0
55-59% 4.0
54% and below 5.0
General Class Rules:

Rule for Mobile Phones: Mobile phones should be set in silent mode inside the class. If you need to make an important SMS, MMS conversation, or Phone call, you should excuse yourself from the class and conduct your business outside.
Due dates: Submission schedules for this class should be promptly observed. Late submissions of assigned works are not accepted. It will be helpful if you finish and print assigned papers at least 24 hours before the due. Be alert with any possible changes in schedules so you won’t be confused. Do not hesitate to ask the instructor if you feel uncertain. It is better to be sure than sorry.

Topic Outline

June Topic Readings

10 and 17
I. Introduction: Concepts, Actors and Levels of Analysis

A. Definition and Scope
a. international relations
b. international politics
c. world politics
B. Actors in the International System
a. state
b. inter-governmental organizations
c. non-governmental organizations, four types
d. individuals

Viotti and Kauppi Chapter 1

C. Levels of Analysis
a. individual level
b. state level
c. system level

Viotti and Kauppi Chapter 1

24 and 29
D. Historical Context
a. four types of Pre-Westphalian international system
b. Westphalian system
Viotti and Kauppi Chapter 2

Mingst Chapter 2
July Topic Readings

1, 5 and 8
E. Cold War and the post Cold War
a. Cold War period bipolarity
b. Post Cold War, “End of History,” “Clash of Civilizations” or “More of the Same”?

Mingst Chapter 2

Fukuyama, National Interest Summer 1989

Mingst and Snyder,
Huntington, Chapter 4

Mingst and Snyder, Waltz, Chapter 3

12, 15 and 19
II. Theoretical Perspectives and the study of International Politics

A. Theoretical Perspectives
a. Idealism
b. Realism
c.. Liberalism
d. Radicalism
e. Constructivism
f. A critique of mainstream IR theory-the Third World view
Mingst, Chapter 3

Mingst and Snyder, Walt, Chapter 2

Mingst and Snyder,
Morgenthau, Chapter 2

Mingst and Snyder, Doyle, Chapter 2

22, 26 and 29
B. Approaches to the study of International Relations
a. Systems Approach
c. Scientific School
d. Policy Studies
e. Political Economy
f. Pure Theory
g. English School
h. International Studies
i. International Law
j. Marxist Approach
k. Civil Society Approach
l. Culture and Sociology Approach
m. Peace Studies

Handouts will be supplied a meeting prior to the discussion
August Topic Readings

2, 5 and 9
III. The State

A. the State as a primary actor
a. elements of the state
b. state vs. nations
c. changing conception of sovereignty
B. States in Various Perspectives
a. Realist
b. Liberal
c. Radical
C. Defining and Using State power
a. Natural, Tangible and Intangible
b. Hard, Soft and Smart Power
c. Diplomacy, Economy and Use of Force

Mingst, Chapter 5

Mingst and Snyder, The Economist, Chapter 5

Mingst and Snyder, Herbst, Chapter 5
August 12, 2010 Midterm Examination

16, 19 and 23
IV. Foreign Policy
A. Definition and Organizational Structure
B. Models of foreign policy decision making

a. rational model
b. organizational process, bureaucratic politics
c. individual decision making
d. poliheuristic approach

Mingst, Chapter 5 (119-125) and Chapter 6

Mingst and Snyder,

Hermann and Hagan,
Chapter 6

Mingst and Snyder
Foreign Policy,
Chapter 6

26 and 30
V. International Security
A. Perspectives in International Security
a. conventional security
b. collective, common and comprehensive security
B. Liberal approach,
a. collective security and arms control
C. Realist approach
a. balance of power
b. deterrence
D. Perspectives on the Causes of War
a. individual
b. state and society
c. systemic

Mingst, Chapter 7

Mingst and Snyder, Clausewitz,
Chapter 7

Mingst and Snyder, Doyle, Chapter 7

September Topic Readings

2 and 6

VI. International Political Economy
A. the rise of global political economic relationships
a. rise of international transactions
b. states’ role in economic policy making
c. economic issues become public issues

Mingst, Chapter 8

9 and 13
B. Approaches to understanding IPE
a. Realist as skeptics
b. Liberals as optimist
c. Radicals as antagonist
C. Institutions vis-à-vis Power, Competition, and Development
a. the Bretton Woods Institutions
b. the Multinationals
c. the NGOs
Mingst, Chapter 8

Mingst and Snyder,
Kapur, Chapter 8

Mingst and Snyder, Birdsall, Chapter 8

September 20, 2010 Due for Stage One

September 27, 2010 Final Examination
October Topic Readings

1, 5 and 8
VII. Take a Stand in International Political Issues
A. Regionalism
a. advancing globalisation or a form of protectionism?
B. Migration and International Relations
a. a non-traditional security issue or a matter of political economics?
C. International Environmental Politics
a. reinforcing or challenging world order?
D. Democratic Peace Theory
a. Waging war to promote democracy: right or wrong?
E. The UN and International Politics
a. UN: instrument or challenger of the major powers?
F. Nuclear Weapons and Security
a. Nuclear Weapons: an instrument of security or insecurity?

Suggested Readings will be provided, students also need to research and refer to the above list or readings.
October 13, 2010 Due for Stage Three

Readings

American Political Science Association. 2006. Committee on Publications. Style Manual for Political Science. [cited June 17, 2009]. Available from http://www.ipsonet.org/data/files/APSAStyleManual2006.pdf.

Browm, Chris, and Kirsten Ainley. 2005. Understanding In (Kennedy 1987)ternational Relations. London: Palgrave Macmillan.

Fukuyama, Francis. 1989. The End of History? The National Interest.

Mingst, Karen. 2003. Essentials of International Relations. New York: W.W Norton & Company Inc.

Mingst, Karen, and Jack Snyder. 2001. Essential Readings in World Politics. New York: W.W Norton & Company Inc.

Viotti, Paul R., and Mark V. Kauppi. 2001. International Relations and World Politics: Security, Economy and Identity. New Jersey: Prentice Hall.

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Soc. Sci. 199.1 Course Outline

Posted by Brian C. Ventura on June 10, 2010

University of the Philippines Visayas
Division of Social Sciences
College of Arts and Sciences
Social Science 199.1
(Research Methods)

Instructor: Prof. Brian C. Ventura
Term: First Semester AY 2010-11
Class Meeting: MTh 2:30-4:00 Room: CAS R.108
Consultation Hours: MTh 11:00-12:00, 1:00-2:30 ,T F 2:30-5:00 or by appointment
Prerequisite: Senior Standing Section: 3 Credits: 3 Units
E-mail Address: brian.c.ventura@gmail.com
Webpage: http://brianventura@wordpress.com
Office: Division of Social Sciences Faculty Room, Bulwagang Tomas Fonacier

Course Description
Introduction to the various methods of research in social sciences through directed research activities.
The goal of this class is to introduce students to various research methods in the social sciences, particularly in political science, so that by the end of the semester students would be ready to present a research proposal that will be implemented on the second semester. Classroom discussions, activities and assignments are ordered in a way that will expose and teach students to the step-by-step process of preparing a research proposal.
While this is a social science research method course, it is to be noted that the emphasis of the assignments and activities will be in political science. More than just a class in research method, it is also hoped that students will have to reorient themselves with the important questions in the practice and discipline of politics in the Philippines so that they will be motivated to incorporate these issues in choosing the kind of topic that they will undertake in their research project.

Assessment Scheme:

Assessment of students’ performance in this class will be based on the following;

Course Requirements Grade percentage
Class Exercises/Assignments 40%
Research Proposal 50%
In-Class Presentation Research of Proposal 10%
Total grade 100%

On the conduct of the class: Every part of the course outline will start with a lecture to be conducted by the instructor. General references for the lecture are listed at the end of this course outline; however, you may also consult other references.

Class Activities and Assignments: Each class activity and assignment is an important building block that will enable you to prepare your research proposal. It is therefore mandatory that you accomplish all the activities and assignments listed in the topic outline. Non compliance to these requirements will compromise the quality of your research proposal. No make up activity will be provided for missed class activity. If a student missed a certain number of activities and assignments the instructor reserves the right to ask the student to formally drop the course.

Rating Scale and Grading Policy: Those who are unable to submit the requirement/s in due time will have a corresponding grade of “5.0” for that specific component. Those who cannot produce a complete proposal (presentation and written output) will get a grade of INC. Conversion of the percentage grade into the final grade will follow this matrix.

Percentage Final Grade
Equivalent
100% 1.0
95-99% 1.25
90-94% 1.5
85-89% 1.75
80-84% 2.0
75-79% 2.25
70-74% 2.5
65-69% 2.75
60-64% 3.0
55-59% 4.0
54% and below 5.0
The research proposal is due on October 12. Those who submit beyond the deadline will be given an “Incomplete.” There will be individual or pair presentations of the research proposal towards the end of the semester. Visual aids for the presentation are required.

General Class Rules:

Due dates: Submission schedules for this class should be promptly observed. Late submissions of assigned works are not accepted. It will be helpful if you finish and print assigned papers at least 24 hours before the due. Be alert with any possible changes in schedules so you won’t be confused. Do not hesitate to ask the instructor if you feel uncertain. It is better to be sure than sorry. At the middle of the semester, the instructor will evaluate the compliance of each student as far as submission of assignments and other requirements are concerned. This evaluation will be the basis whether a student can still continue his or her participation in the class.

Student Responsibility: It is expected that you are reading and understanding the literatures assigned to or pertinent with the topic before coming to class. The role of the instructor is only to facilitate in the birthing process of ideas and to assess students’ performance. Grades are not made but only calculated based on the set of given provided by the students’ performance.

Topic Outline

June Topic/Assignment/Activity

10 and 17

I. Introduction
A. Introduction to Social Science Research.
B. Types of Political Research

Class Exercise 1

Divide a sheet of paper into three columns. In one column write the
subfield of political science and the basic questions and issues it is
addressing. In another column, create an inventory of the titles/key
words of all the term papers you have written corresponding each
subfield. In the last column, list broad topics that interest you. Each work
will be presented briefly in class.

Class Exercise 2
Presentation of the Summary Proposal Assignment

Assignment 1
Submit a three-page proposal summary. This will serve as a guide for how you
can move forward for the whole semester. The proposal is to be composed of
1. A working title 2. Introduction 3. Research question 4. Explanation of
research question 5. Chapter breakdown 6. References

21
Getting Started

A. The Stages of a research process

B. Formulating a research question

24 and 29

C. Generating the hypothesis.
D. Identifying the variables

Assignment 2 Bring any two journal articles or book chapters on a topic that interests you. From two sample articles/book chapters, what is the research question addressed by each example? What is/are the theory/ies that the articles are invoking? What is the hypothesis? What are the independent and dependent variables?

Class Exercise 3 Individual presentations of the assignment 1; lessons on how to spot research questions and variables

July Topic/Assignment/Activity

1 and 5

III. Choosing a Topic
A. balancing interest and research imperatives

B. what do other authors say about this topic?

C. introducing your topic

Assignment 3 From class exercise 1, build a list of bibliography for the 2 feasible topics you want to do research on, with no fewer that 15 entries (books or journal articles only) for each.

Class Exercises 4 “Unpacking”: What specific problem(s) under each topic interests you? What are your variables? What potential constraints will you encounter if you adapt one of these problems as your research problem? Can this constraints be resolved?

Assignment 4
Write a one-page introduction to your proposed topic.

8 and 12

IV. Formulating the research problem
A. the research problem and its importance to the field and to society
B. limiting the research problem

Assignment 5
Provide a workable research problem from each of the 2 broad topics you’ve chosen. Incorporate a timeframe. Work out at least 2 specific problems under each general problem.

Class exercise 5 Presentation of the research problems formulated; theory from which it is based

15 and 19

V. Review of Related Literature
A. how to identify the related literature
B. where to look
C. what to discuss

Assignment 6

Bring two journal articles or book chapters related to your topic of your choice. Summarize the review of related literature and explain to the class how these articles of book chapters organized the literature review.

Assignment 7 Submit 500-word reviews of 2 “relevant” and 2 “related” literature on your FINAL choice of topic Class

Exercise 6
Presentation of literature views; critique

22, 26 and 29

VI. Conceptual Framework
A. choosing a theory
B. conceptual definitions of variables and other key terms
C. operational definition

Assignment 8
Build a “schematic” diagram of the theory you will be using.

Class Exercise 7

Explaining the “schematic” diagram.
August Topic/Assignment/Activity

2 and 5

Assignment 9:
Submit conceptual definitions for all the terms in your general and specific problems.

Class Exercise 8

Presentation and critiquing.

9 and 12 VII. Selecting the Research Design

A. descriptive or explanatory/causal

16, 19 and 23

B. case study, longitudinal study, comparative study, longitudinal comparative
study

26 and 30
C. types of data—primary versus secondary

D. where, how and when do you propose to obtain your data

September Topic/Assignment/Activity

2 and 6

Assignment 10
Formulate your research design incorporating information A, B, C and D

Class Exercise 9

Presentation and Critique

9 and 13

VIII. Instrument

A. formulating the interview schedule or survey questionnaire

Assignment 11

Bring at least two questionnaire sample from a study similar or related to
your topic. Examine how these questionnaires were constructed. What can
you learn from it in preparing your own questionnaire?

16 and 20

Assignment 12:
Construct your interview schedule/survey questionnaire/field observation sheet. There will be individual consultations for this assignment.

Class Exercise 10

Survey /field work/data gathering pretest

23 and 27
Consultation and presentation of the final proposal
October Topic/Assignment/Activity

4 and 7

Consultation on and presentation of the final proposal

Due for Final Research Proposal October 12

Reading Materials

Adcock, Robert, and David Collier. “Measurement Validity: a Shared Standard for Qualitative and Quantitative Research.” American Political Science Review 95, no. 3 (2001): 529-546.

APSA Committee on Publications. “Style Manual for Political Science.” American Political Science Association. August 2006. http://www.apsanet.otg (accessed May 29, 2007).

Burnham, Peter, Karin Gilland Lutz, Wyn Grant, and Zig Layton-Henry. Research Methods in Politics. 2nd. New York, 2008.

Ellis, Lee. Research Methods in the Social Sciences. Madison: Brown & Benchmark, 1994.

Gibaldi, Joseph. MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers. New York: The Modern Language Association of America, 2003.

Hart, Chris. Doing Literature Review: Releasing the Social Science Research Imagination. London: Sage, 1998.

Klass, Gary. “JPDA: Just Plain Data Analysis.” American Political Science Association Conference on Teaching and Learning in Political Science. Washington D.C.: American Political Science Association , 2006. 1-14.

Krathwohl, David. How to Prepare a Research Proposal. New York: Syracuse University Press, 1988.

Manheim, Jarol B., and Richard C. Rich. Empirical Political Analysis: Research Methods in Political Science. New York: Longman, 1986.

Perry, Robert L., and John D. Robertson. Comparative Analysis of Nations: Quantitative approach. Boulder, Colorado: Westview Press, 2002.

Pyke, Sandra W., and Neil McK.Agnew. The Science Game: an Introduction to Social Science Research. 5th. New Jersey: Prentice Hall, 1991.

Shively, W. Phillips. The Craft of Political Research. 5th. New Jersey: Prentice Hall, 2002.

Woolley, John T. “Using Media-Based Data in Studies of Politics.” American Journal of Political Science 44, no. 1 (2000): 156-173.

Posted in Course Outline, Soc. Sci. 199.1 | Tagged: Course Outline | Leave a Comment »

Pol. Sci. 193 course outline amendment

Posted by Brian C. Ventura on February 8, 2010

This part of the course outline “End of Consultation for the Topic Outline Friday February 27, 2009, on or before 5:00 pm; due date for the Final Paper Thursday March 12, 2009, on or before 5:00 pm”

should read as “End of Consultation for the Topic Outline Friday February 26, 2010, on or before 5:00 pm; due date for the Final Paper Thursday March 12, 2010, on or before 5:00 pm”

Please be guided accordingly.

Posted in Announcements, Course Outline, Pol. Sci. 193 | Leave a Comment »

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