Advanced Political Analysis

Module Title:  Advanced Political Analysis

Module Leader: Dr James Wood

Overview:

This module is focused on the question of what is entailed in taking a ‘scientific approach’ to the study of Politics and International Relations. This module aims to develop the research skills of students by teaching them to reflect critically on the different forms of political analysis, as well as the methods that inform this analysis, which ultimately cannot be separated from contestable assumptions about ontology (the nature of political reality) and epistemology (the knowledge that one can have about this reality). From this basis, we examine key meta-theoretical issues, such as structure and agency, the ideational and material, as well as conceptions of power, all of which are central to providing a robust conceptual framework to undertake research in Politics and International Relations. The main objective of this module is to enable students to reflect critically on their approach to their MPhil research in a reflexive and informed manner, which provides a platform for those interested in developing their research further, especially those looking to pursue a PhD.