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International Relations and Political Science Analysis - Approaches and Current Issues

Study Course Description

Course Description Statuss:Approved
Course Description Version:3.00
Study Course Accepted:09.08.2023 10:40:30
Study Course Information
Course Code:DN_200LQF level:Level 8
Credit Points:4.00ECTS:6.00
Branch of Science:Political ScienceTarget Audience:Political Science
Study Course Supervisor
Course Supervisor:Una Aleksandra Bērziņa-Čerenkova
Study Course Implementer
Structural Unit:Department of Doctoral Studies
The Head of Structural Unit:
Contacts:Riga, 16 Dzirciema Street, dnatrsu[pnkts]lv, +371 67409120
Study Course Planning
Full-Time - Semester No.1
Lectures (count)8Lecture Length (academic hours)2Total Contact Hours of Lectures16
Classes (count)8Class Length (academic hours)2Total Contact Hours of Classes16
Total Contact Hours32
Study course description
Preliminary Knowledge:
Successfully passed requirements of the "Social Sciences" Doctoral Study program study semesters 1 through 3.
Objective:
To provide an insight into the latest research approaches by ensuring the academic connection of doctoral students with the sub-branch of political science, as well as to contribute to the doctoral students' understanding of current issues in accordance with the individual topics of the doctoral thesis.
Topic Layout (Full-Time)
No.TopicType of ImplementationNumberVenue
1Research Framework: ontology, epistemology, methodologyLectures1.00auditorium
2Affiliation to the sub-branch. Analysis in International Relations and Political Science -- commonalities and differencesLectures1.00auditorium
3Presentations of the doctoral students on the ontological, epistemological, methodological framework and the affiliation to the sub-branchClasses1.00auditorium
4Presentations of doctoral students on the ontological, epistemological, methodological framework of the dissertation and the affiliation to the sub-branchClasses1.00auditorium
5Presentations of doctoral students on the value aspects of the dissertation. (Doctoral students who write in critical theories present on the active research position and its ethical implications).Classes1.00auditorium
6Guest LectureLectures1.00auditorium
7Discussion of the guest lecture, as well as the readings provided by the guest speaker.Classes1.00auditorium
8The intellectual history of political thought and its connection to current researchLectures1.00auditorium
9Presentations of doctoral students on the intellectual roots of the doctoral thesis theoretical frameworkClasses1.00auditorium
10Levels of analysis of international relations: international system, country and individualLectures1.00auditorium
11The founding concepts of politics and international relations (current, methodological, theoretical issues)Lectures1.00auditorium
12Presentations of doctoral students on the levels of analysis and central concepts of the dissertation theoretical frameworkClasses1.00auditorium
13Funding for international relations and political science research -- consortia formation and project applicationsLectures1.00auditorium
14Presentation of the research plan, conclusionsClasses1.00auditorium
15Guest lectureLectures1.00auditorium
16Seminar, discussionClasses1.00auditorium
Assessment
Unaided Work:
To conduct in-depth study of approaches to the analysis of international relations and political science; to familiarise oneself with the mandatory reading materials; to expand the text of the dissertation based on the information obtained during the study course. The student's contribution to the improvement of the study process is the provision of meaningful feedback on the study course by filling out its evaluation questionnaire.
Assessment Criteria:
Attendance and active participation in lectures and seminars 10%; seminar presentation 40%; passing the written final examination 50%.
Final Examination (Full-Time):Exam (Written)
Final Examination (Part-Time):
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge:Doctoral students will be able to analyze the development trends of political science theories in depth, as well as analyse and evaluate topical issues in Latvian and international politics by applying contemporary research methods.
Skills:The doctoral student will be able to apply the acquired knowledge to the analysis of Latvian and international politics, incl. when writing a doctoral thesis, thus contributing to the widening of the knowledge frontier. The doctoral student will be able to communicate the results of research both orally and in writing, adapting the information to different audiences.
Competencies:Independently search, select, analyze, evaluate, pass on information related to political theories and processes in the course of research and teaching, as well as to lead scientific projects.
Bibliography
No.Reference
Required Reading
1Doktorantu disertācijas gaitā individuāli izmantojamā apakšnozarei atbilstošā literatūra
2Dunne, T., Kurki, M., Smith, S. (ed.). (2016). International Relations Theories: Discipline and Diversity. 4th edition. New York: Oxford University Press.
Additional Reading
1Tukidīda darbi jebkurā pieejamā valodā, piem.: Thucydides. (2013). Third year of the war, 429–28 [II 71–103]. In: J. Mynott (Ed.), Thucydides: The War of the Peloponnesians and the Athenians (Cambridge Texts in the History of Political Thought, pp. 135-161). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. (Ebook Central Academic Complete; EBSCOhost Ebook Academic Collection)
2Freyberg-Inan, A. (2021). Critical Theories and Change in International Relations. In: The Oxford Handbook of Peaceful Change in International Relations. Edited by T. V. Paul, Deborah Welch Larson, Harold A. Trinkunas, et..al.
3Parekh, B. (2003). Non-Western political thought. In: T. Ball & R. Bellamy (Eds.), The Cambridge History of Twentieth-Century Political Thought (The Cambridge History of Political Thought, pp. 551-578). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
4Browning, G. (2016). A History of Modern Political Thought: The Question of Interpretation. Oxford University Press.