NOTE: I reserve the right to modify the reading assignments.
Class 1
I. Course Intro
II. Studying and Practicing International Affairs
III. Syllabus Review
IV. Topics Brainstorm
Class 2
Learning Hall: library session
PART I: CONCEPTS, METHODS, AND MODELS
Class 3
Learning Hall w/ Prof. Jaffe. Preliminary topic research.
Class 4
I. Key Approaches to IR and World Politics Revisited
Readings: Sandra Halperin & Oliver Heath, “Political Research,” Political Research: Methods and Practical Skills (Oxford University Press, 2012), pp.1-22 [Chapter 1]
Sandra Halperin & Oliver Heath, “Political Research,” Political Research: Methods and Practical Skills (Oxford University Press, 2017), pp.1-21 [Chapter 1]
II. Issues, Methodologies, Theories, and Values in Global Political Research
Readings: Sandra Halperin & Oliver Heath, “Research Design,” Political Research: Methods and Practical Skills (Oxford University Press, 2012), pp. 44-48; 53-69 [parts of Chapter 2 & 3]
Sandra Halperin & Oliver Heath, “Research Design,” Political Research: Methods and Practical Skills (Oxford University Press, 2017), pp. 44-49; 54-70 [parts of Chapter 2 & 3]
Class 5
Article workshop: Foa, Roberto Stefan and Yascha Mounk, “The Danger of Deconsolidation: The Democratic Disconnect.” Journal of Democracy. 27.3 (2016): 5-17. (Jaffe to furnish)
Class 6
I. Asking Research Questions: Finding & Formulating Questions & Puzzles
Readings: Sandra Halperin & Oliver Heath, “Asking Questions: How to Find and Formulate Research Questions,” Political Research: Methods and Practical Skills (Oxford University Press, 2012), pp.101-128 [Chapter 5]
Sandra Halperin & Oliver Heath, “Asking Questions: How to Find and Formulate Research Questions,” Political Research: Methods and Practical Skills (Oxford University Press, 2017), pp. 82-110 [Chapter 4]
Class 7
Methodology Quiz (in class)
Class 8
I. Answering Research Questions: Components, Constructions, Hypotheses
Readings: Sandra Halperin & Oliver Heath, “Answering Research Questions: Requirements, Components, and Construction,” Political Research: Methods and Practical Skills (Oxford University Press, 2012), 129-163 [Chapter 6]
Sandra Halperin & Oliver Heath, “Finding Answers: Theories and How to Apply Them,” Political Research: Methods and Practical Skills (Oxford University Press, 2012), 111-145 [Chapter 5]
PART II: CUTTING EDGE ACADEMIC AND PUBLIC POLICY RESEARCH
Class 9
I. Guest starring Dr. Eugenio Lilli, who will discuss his new project on cyber security.
Class 10
1. Charlene Rohr, Alexandra Pollitt, David Howarth, Hui Lu and Jonathan Grant, “What Sort of Brexit do the British People Want? A Proof of Concept Study Using Stated Preference Discrete Choice Experiments” (Rand Europe, July 2017):
https://www.kcl.ac.uk/sspp/policy-institute/publications/What-sort-of-Brexit-do-the-British-people-want.pdf
Class 11
1. Paul Collier and Alexander Betts, “Why Denying Refugees the Right to Work is a Catastrophic Error,” The Guardian, Wed, March 22, 2017:
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/mar/22/why-denying-refugees-the-right-to-work-is-a-catastrophic-error
2A. TBA (critical response to Bett’s and Collier’s Refuge.)
Research question, lit review, + biblio due
Class 12
1. Joseph S. Nye Jr., “Deterrence and Dissuasion in Cyberspace,” International Security 41. 3 (Winter 2016/17): 44-71. (Jaffe to furnish.)
Class 13
I. Gabor Simonovits, Gabor Kezdi, and Peter Kardos, “Seeing the World Through the Other’s Eye: An Online Intervention Reducing Ethnic Prejudice,” American Political Science Review 112.1 (2017): 186–193. (Jaffe to furnish.)
Class 14
I. Barbara F. Walter, “The Extremist’s Advantage in Civil Wars,” International Security 42.2 (Fall 2017): 7–39. (Jaffe to furnish.)
Class 15
I. Christopher Blattman and Jeannie Annan, “Can Employment Reduce Lawlessness and Rebellion? A Field Experiment with High-Risk Men in a Fragile State,” American Political Science Review 110.1 (February 2016): 1-17. (Jaffe to furnish.)
Class 16
Roberto Stefan Foa and Yascha Mounk “The Signs of Deconsolidation,” Journal of Democracy Volume 28.1 (January 2017): 5-15. (Jaffe to furnish.)
10 page draft due.
PART III: PRESENTING IR RESEARCH AND POLICY OPTIONS
Class 17
2 X Student presentations
Class 18
2 X Student presentations
Class 19
2 X Student presentations
Class 20
2 X Student presentations
Class 21
2 X Student presentations
Class 22
2 X Student presentations
Class 23
Readings: Sandra Halperin & Oliver Heath, “Comparative Research,” Political Research: Methods and Practical Skills (Oxford University Press, 2012), pp.202-229 [Chapter 9]
Readings: Sandra Halperin & Oliver Heath, “Comparative Research,” Political Research: Methods and Practical Skills (Oxford University Press, 2017), pp.211-238 [Chapter 9]
Readings: Sandra Halperin & Oliver Heath, “Interviewing and Focus Groups,” Political Research: Methods and Practical Skills (Oxford University Press, 2012), pp. 253-286 [Chapter 11]
Readings: Sandra Halperin & Oliver Heath, “Interviewing and Focus Groups,” Political Research: Methods and Practical Skills (Oxford University Press, 2017), pp. 285-312 [Chapter 11]
Thanksgiving
Class 24
I. Readings: Sandra Halperin & Oliver Heath, “Surveys,” Political Research: Methods and Practical Skills (Oxford University Press, 2012), pp. 230-252 [Chapter 10]
Readings: Sandra Halperin & Oliver Heath, “Surveys,” Political Research: Methods and Practical Skills (Oxford University Press, 2017), pp. 261 - 284 [Chapter 11]
II. Readings: Sandra Halperin & Oliver Heath, “Textual Analysis,” Political Research: Methods and Practical Skills (Oxford University Press, 2012), pp. 309-337 [Chapter 13]
Readings: Sandra Halperin & Oliver Heath, “Textual Analysis,” Political Research: Methods and Practical Skills (Oxford University Press, 2012), pp. 335-337 - 361 [Chapter 14]
Paper memo due
Class 25
Readings: Bidisha Biswas & Agnieszka Paczynska (2015), “Teaching theory, writing policy: Integrating lessons from foggy bottom into the classroom,” PS: Political Science & Politics, 48 (1): 157-161.
Class 26 final 20 pg. paper due (in class)
Class 27 Final course business and discussion
George Orwell, “Politics and the English Language”:
http://www.orwell.ru/library/essays/politics/english/e_polit/