PLT3601

Political investigations

Brian Costar and others

8 points
* 2 hours per week
* Second semester
* Caulfield
* Prerequisite: completion of a minor sequence in politics

Objectives Upon successful completion of this subject students are expected to (have developed (a) an understanding of the nature and scope of the discipline; (b) an appreciation of the debates covering the `best' ways to study politics; (c) and appreciation of various sub-disciplinary approaches to politics and (d) a practical understanding of how to conduct research into selected aspects of the political process, political institutions and political behaviour.

SynopsisThis subject examines some of the methodological problems arising from attempts to pursue the study of politics in a rigorous and systematic manner. Topics include: approaches to politics - the nature and scope of political inquiry; what is `empirical theory'; the place of science and scientific method in political analysis; the use of concepts; relations between empirical and normative approaches. The subject includes seminars on particular approaches, utilising predominantly Australian material by way of illustration. These will be drawn from the following: the `new institutionalism' and the `new constitutionalism'; public policy and governance; electoral studies and political behaviour; rational choice theory; the feminist critique of politics; the psychosocial study of Australian political leaders.

Assessment Seminarparticipation: 20%
* Essay (4000 words): 40%
* Examination (2 hours): 40%

Prescribed texts

Laver M Invitation to politics Martin Robertson, 1989
Leftwich A What is politics? The activity and its study Basil Blackwell, 1985