Social and Political Enquiry 2 (U02440)

? Credit Points : 20 ? SCQF Level : 8 ? Acronym : SPS-2-SPENQ2

This course introduces students to a range of methods used in social and political enquiry; examines the potential and problems of these methods, and helps to develop insights into interpreting and analysing data. It does so by focussing on a series of exemplary studies conducted by social and political scientists, both classic and contemporary. In each case it considers how the research questions were formulated, how these questions were addressed and answered, and how the evidence was produced, interpreted and evaluated, including issues of objectivity, values and policy.

Entry Requirements

? Pre-requisites : May normally be taken only in conjunction with at least one of European Social Policy 2, Politics 2, Social Anthropology 2 or Sociology 2.

Subject Areas

Home subject area

School (School of Social and Political Studies), (School of Social and Political Studies, Schedule J)

Delivery Information

? Normal year taken : 2nd year

? Delivery Period : Semester 2 (Blocks 3-4)

? Contact Teaching Time : 3 hour(s) per week for 10 weeks

First Class Information

Date	Start	End	Room	Area	Additional Information
08/01/2008	12:10	13:00	Lecture Theatre, George Square Theatre	Central

All of the following classes

Type	Day	Start	End	Area
Lecture	Tuesday	12:10	13:00	Central
Lecture	Thursday	12:10	13:00	Central

? Additional Class Information : Plus 1 tutorial each week starting in week 2

Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, students should be able to:
- identify the potential and problems of different methods of social and political enquiry;
- appreciate the methodological challenges involved in designing studies, developing adequate measures, establishing causal explanations and drawing up interpretative accounts;
- understand and evaluate how inferences are drawn from numerical and verbal data
- appreciate the contribution of empirical enquiry to the development and assessment of theory and practice.

Assessment Information

One two hour examination, one coursework assignment of 2000 words or equivalent. The examination mark contributes 50% and the coursework 50% in arriving at the final mark. Students are required to pass the exam to pass the course.