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Key Debates in Political Science 1 (POLS40024)

HonoursPoints: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)

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Overview

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Semester 1
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This is an Honours reading seminar that examines key theoretical texts in political science alongside empirical scholarship on contemporary political debates. The seminar format runs on a fortnightly structure: in Week A, theoretical texts are studied and in Week B, these are considered in relation to a contemporary empirical scholarship. The selected texts will reflect the breadth of the discipline of political science, with particular emphasis on identifying, distinguishing and relating key subdisciplines. Students completing the subject will have a robust understanding of what characterises the contemporary scholarly terrain of the discipline, and where their own research interests within that are located.

Intended learning outcomes

Upon successful completion of this subject students should:

  • demonstrate a detailed knowledge and understanding of key theoretical traditions in Politics and International Studies
  • demonstrate a detailed knowledge and understanding of key empirical debates that characterise the scholarly terrain of Politics and International Studies
  • be able to relate theoretical traditions to empirical political problems that characterise the contemporary world in a critically engaged and discriminating manner
  • demonstrate an independent approach to knowledge that can identify different methods of inquiry – theoretical and empirical – in academic scholarship and evaluate its intellectual and ethical merits
  • be able to communicate coherently, concisely and effectively in writing

Last updated: 3 November 2022