PTC4032 - Introduction of Political Science: Polling and Public Opinion

Objectives:

On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:
Demonstrate basic awareness of the strengths and weaknesses of different methods for the selection and analysis of political data.
Demonstrate familiarity with the major questions and issues, which determine political research in local, national and global contexts.
Establish theoretical and epistemological connections between research methods and political ideologies.
Develop the ability to communicate effectively in oral and written forms.

Content:

This module provides students with a range of theoretical and methodological tools for the study and analysis of politics and international relations. The module covers, in turn, both quantitative aspects of political analysis and qualitative.

In the first part, the module covers basic information about quantitative research. Through a problem-based approach students explore ways in which public opinion is sampled, polled, interpreted and incorporated back within political rhetoric. Major issues covered include: the framing and wording of polling questions; inference and false inference from survey data; the use of existing and sources of political information; and the ethical policies that surround in such research.

In the second part, the module considers methods for interpreting qualitative information. Through analysis of texts and documents students will learn how to read and interpret political speeches; political manifestos; policy documents; political advertising, and newspaper articles.

Learning and Teaching Information:

The module will be structured around interactive seminars. Some appropriate resources and sample texts will be provided via the VLE (Moodle) for demonstration purposes. Students will be encouraged to locate and select their own materials for their assignments. Guidance and support, including formative feedback, will be offered in the seminars as the students develop their assignment submissions in the workshops sessions.

Seminars
Hours: 40
Intended Group Size: 50

Guided independent study
Hours: 160

Further details relating to assessment
Assessment 1 - directed activities: these consist of weekly tasks that must be completed and submitted for inspection at timetabled sessions each week. The assessment will be assessed on a pass/fail basis with a pass requiring at least 75% of all weekly tasks to be completed successfully. A pass will lead to the full award of 10% towards the final module mark. A fail in directed activities will contribute 0% to the final mark.

Assessment 2: essay - The essay will consist of a critical review of specific research method in politics and its subsequent application to a political issue and/or document. Full guidance and support will be provided in lectures, seminars and on Moodle for the completion of the essay.

Assignment 3: group presentation - Groups of three-four students will select an appropriate media text (TV/radio programme; newspaper/magazine article) dealing with politics and they will apply a specific research method for its analysis.

Other relevant matters
This module introduces and surveys a range of research-related issues that are consolidated and developed in PTC 5032 Political Science.

Assessment:

001 Directed Activities throughout Semester One and Semester Two 10%
002 Essay; 2,000 words; End of Semester One 45%
003 Group Presentation; 10 minutes; End of Semester Two 45%

Fact File

Module Coordinator - William Allchorn
Level - 4
Credit Value - 20
Pre-Requisites - NONE
Semester(s) Offered - 4YL

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