Time Schedule:
Wongi Choe
SIS 511
Seattle Campus
Review of the approaches to posing and answering research questions in the disciplines affiliated with international studies. Explores epistemological approaches and associated methodologies to prepare students to effectively read across the literature of international studies, develop their own research design based on a research question, and write a research proposal. Offered: Sp.
Class description
This course is designed as an introduction to comparative research methods. This course seeks to provide broad guidance for developing comparative research design to students conducting research work for an original research project (e.g., MA Thesis). As such, students taking this course are required to develop their research proposals throughout the quarter and present them in class at the end of the quarter.
The course consists of three parts. First, this course introduces an opportunity to learn to think more systemically about some of the basic methodological problems that one must face in designing and carrying out a comparative research project. Topics include research design, causal inference, comparative and case study method. Second, we will deals with various theoretical perspectives prevalent in comparative research. Specifically, we will read and critique three books in the field of comparative political economy that deal with political institutions in comparative perspective. Finally, students will begin to develop their own research proposals. This course provides a forum for discussing and presenting students ongoing research proposals. Students are required to present their own research proposal in an open forum structured as a conference panel.
Student learning goals
General method of instruction
This couse is a seminar
Recommended preparation
Class assignments and grading
Participation (30%), Review Papers(20%), and Research Proposal (50%)
