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Instructor Class Description

Time Schedule:

Shauna F Fisher
POL S 205
Seattle Campus

Political Science as a Social Science

Methodological perspectives of the various social science disciplines: commonalties and differences in assumptions, values, and paradigms. Current issues from the multiple perspective of social sciences; limits of the social sciences in resolving key social issues. Offered: W.

Class description

Description: This course introduces the methodology of political and social research. Students should expect to leave the course with: (a) an understanding of social science reasoning; (b) knowledge of social science methodology; and (c) practical research skills. The goal of the course is for students to become better consumers and producers of social science. The first part of the course concerns ways of thinking about social science theories and reasoning. The second part concerns social science approaches to collecting and analyzing information. This is not a statistics course. However, because social scientists often use statistics in their research, some attention will be paid to quantitative methodology. Prior exposure to one or more of the social sciences will make dealing with the reading more manageable. Non-majors are welcome.

Student learning goals

General method of instruction

Recommended preparation

Class assignments and grading


The information above is intended to be helpful in choosing courses. Because the instructor may further develop his/her plans for this course, its characteristics are subject to change without notice. In most cases, the official course syllabus will be distributed on the first day of class.
Additional Information
Last Update by Suman C. Chhabra
Date: 02/18/2009