Introduction to Politics, Part II

The course aims at providing an introduction into the research questions, topics, and methods of political science and teach students how to apply this knowledge.

In the Winter Semester, basic concepts of political science were presented, and methods were introduced in a general way.

In the Summer Semester, students will apply the knowledge gained in the first semester to a political topic of their choice by writing and presenting a research paper. At the same time, the topics of the Winter Semester will be deepened according to the interests of the students and methods used in the research of the students will be discussed at more depth.

Contents of the course will include:

Methods:

• Research Design and Research Ethics
• Literature Review
• Content Analysis
• Interviews

Theoretical and Structural Approaches:

• Domestic Politics:

Democracy, democratic institutions and democratic participation

System Failures: Corruption …

Dissatisfaction with the Political System (Unrest, Uprise …)

Selected Policy Fields: Cultural policies, …

• International Politics:

International Organizations and Agreements

Development Policies

Nations without a State, Statelessness

Feminist and post-colonial approaches will form a cross-cutting perspective on these topics.

Further topics will be developed out of the research papers of the students.

Every student has to write a research paper on the base of what has been learned in both semesters. (1000-1500 words minimum) and present the paper in class (10-15 minutes).

Participation in class is mandatory.