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Title Approaches to Political Studies

M12037 (20 credits)

Level 2

Taught Autumn Semester

Module Convenor: Dr Mark Wenman

Teaching Team:

Dr. Helena Ekelund Dr. Rhianon FirthDr. Ros HagueDr. Mathew HumphreyDr. Liam MaCarthy

CONTENTS

Page

Summary of Content: 3Educational Aims: 3Learning Outcomes: 3Module Evaluation: 4Lecture/Seminar Titles: 5

Part one – Orientations: Questions of Ontology and Epistemology 5Week 1 Introduction:What is Politics? 5Week 2 How do we Gather Valid Knowledge? 5Part two – Mainstream Approaches in Political Science and International Relations

5Week 3 Positivism and the ‘Behavioural Revolution’ 5Week 4 Rational Choice Theory 5Week 5 New Institutionalism 6Week 6 Interpretivism and Constructivism 6Part three - Radical Approaches 6Week 7 Marxism and Critical Theory 6Week 8 Feminist Approaches 6Week 9 Habermas 6Week 10 Post-modern Approaches 7Week 11 Revision Lecture 7

Method and Frequency of Class: 7Method of Assessment: 7Reading Information: 8Coursework Support: 18Guidance to Essay Writing: 18Assessed Essay Titles: 18Tips for Essays: 19

M12037 Approaches to Political Studies20010/11 2

Summary of Content:

The module introduces students to alternative theoretical approaches to the study of political phenomena. We consider the different forms of analysing, explaining, and understanding politics associated with approaches such as behaviouralism, rational choice theory, institutionalism, Marxism, feminism, interpretive theory and post-modernism. The module shows that the different approaches are based upon contrasting ‘ontological’ suppositions about the nature of politics, and they invoke alternative ‘epistemological’ assumptions about how we acquire valid knowledge of politics and international relations. We examine questions such as: what constitutes valid knowledge in political science and international relations? Should political science methodology be the same as the methods employed in the natural sciences? Can we give causal explanations of social and political phenomena? Can we ever be objective in our analysis? What is the relationship between knowledge and power? An understanding of the different approaches will be invaluable to students as they pursue their studies at levels 2 and 3, and will provide the opportunity for students to adopt an approach that corresponds to their own questions, research topics, interests, and their own ontological and epistemological assumptions.

Educational Aims:

By the end of the module you will be able to:

-demonstrate a familiarity with key theoretical approaches to politics and international relations-recognize and understand the different approaches in political science-choose for yourself the approach(es) that are appropriate for your own study-explain the different approaches to others

Learning Outcomes:

By the end of the module you will have acquired:

i) Knowledge and understanding:

- of the meaning of the concepts of ‘ontology’ and ‘epistemology’- of some principle debates in the philosophy of science- of the debates surrounding the impact of positivism in political science and international relations- of the epistemological and ontological assumptions associated with a range of alternative approaches to politics- of the criticisms levied against alternative approaches to politics- of the way in which different approaches influence the questions we ask and the results we obtain- of the implications of adopting alternative forms of epistemology and ontology in your own studies


ii) Intellectual skills:

- in critical analysis and conceptual thought- in handling challenging theoretical material- in the ability to develop logical arguments and to engage with theoretical abstractions in political thought

iii) Professional/Practical skills:

- in advanced writing under exam conditions

iv) Transferable & Key skills:

-in effective time management, the presentation of material, and individual and group work

v) IT skills:

- in word processing - in the use of WebCT and other online media

Module Evaluation:

Evaluation and feedback are crucial to the success of any module. The School wants students to have their say on Politics modules. Therefore modules are formally evaluated on a biennial basis, so please use this opportunity to have your say. If you have any other comments or queries regarding this module, please contact the Module Convenor.

Lecture/Seminar Titles:


The weekly lecture/seminar titles are as follows:

Part one – Orientations: Questions of Ontology and Epistemology

Week 1 Introduction: What is Politics?Seminar Questions: What is politics?Who are the main ‘actors’ in politics?What does ‘ontology’ mean?What is ‘ontological realism’?What is ‘ontological constructivism’?

Week 2 How do we Gather Valid Knowledge?Seminar Questions:Can we ever be objective?What does it mean to be value free?What does ‘epistemology’ mean?What is ‘empiricism’?What are the problems with ‘induction’?What is the difference between verification and falsification?

Part two – Mainstream Approaches in Political Science and International Relations

Week 3 Positivism and the ‘Behavioural Revolution’Seminar Questions: What is positivism?What are the principle methods of the natural sciences?What is the ‘behavioural revolution’?What is the difference between explanation and understanding?Can we give a positivist account of political behaviour?

Week 4 Rational Choice Theory Seminar Questions:What is ‘methodological individualism’?Are human beings rational calculators of their own interests?What is game theory?How useful is the ‘prisoner’s dilemma’ for explaining political relations?

Week 5 New InstitutionalismSeminar Questions:What is an institution?How and to what extent do institutions shape political behaviour?M12037 Approaches to Political Studies20010/11 5

What is the difference between the old and the new institutionalism?What is methodological holism?

Week 6 Interpretivism and Constructivism Seminar Questions:What is ‘foreknowledge’?What is ‘hermeneutics’?Do human relationships differ fundamentally from relationships in the natural world?Can we ever understand individuals and groups from other cultures?What are the roles of ideas in shaping political relationships?

Part three - Radical Approaches

Week 7 Marxism and Critical TheorySeminar Questions:What is the relationship between power and knowledge?What is the role of the state in capitalist society?What is the difference between traditional and critical theory?What is ‘immanent critique’?Do the oppressed have a unique perspective on the world?

Week 8 Feminist ApproachesSeminar Questions:What is standpoint epistemology?Do women have a unique understanding of patriarchal society?Do all women have the same interests, identity, and perspective on the world?What is the difference between sex and gender?

Week 9 HabermasSeminar Questions:What is Habermas’ ‘ideal speech situation’?What is the correspondence theory of truth?What is the consensus theory of truth?What is ‘communicative action’?What is deliberative democracy?

Week 10 Post-modern ApproachesSeminar Questions:What is relativism?Should we embrace epistemological relativism?Does epistemological relativism imply ethical relativism?What does Foucault mean by ‘power/knowledge regimes’?Can we ever stand outside of power relationships?M12037 Approaches to Political Studies20010/11 6

Week 11 Revision Lecture

The lecture provides an overview of the different approaches. Seminars are a student-centred method of learning. Your participation in the seminars is vital if you are to get the most out of the module. They provide an opportunity to gain experience in presenting ideas and arguments in a formal setting, and allow you to raise issues that concern you. Seminars are a crucial element of the module and are compulsory for students. If you have academic queries these should be directed in the first instance to the person who takes you for seminars. Seminar discussions will be based on the essential readings listed below (with **), please ensure that you have familiarised yourself with the relevant required readings before the seminars. Please note that registers will be taken in seminars, should you be unable to attend, please email your seminar tutor.

Method and Frequency of Class:

Activity Number of Sessions Duration of a SessionLecture 11 1 hourSeminar 11 1 hour

Location of Lecture: B62, LASSDay: TuesdayTime: 3pm

Location of Seminar: VariousDay: Tuesday to FridayTime: Various – sign up via NEXUSLecture notes etc. are available via WebCT

Method of Assessment:

This 20 credit module will be assessed on the following basis:

Assessment Type Weight RequirementsExam 1 60% 2.5hr seen exam (with unseen multiple

choice element)Coursework 1 40% 2,000 words

The assessed essay should be submitted to the School Office by 15th November 2010. You must submit an electronic copy of your essay via the module’s WebCT site, taking note of the individual ID number that will be generated once you have successfully uploaded it. This process is self-explanatory.

After you have done that – and only then - you must submit two hard copies of the essay to the School Office by the deadline. A submission sheet should be completed and attached to the essay. You are required to enter the WebCT ID number on the cover sheet, as proof that you have already electronically submitted the essay. The submission sheet and the top of page of each copy of your essay should then be date M12037 Approaches to Political Studies20010/11 7

stamped, and submitted to the essay chest outside the School Office. Please note that the School Office will be open from 10am till 4pm (Monday to Friday) on submission days. Essays handed in after 4pm will be stamped as late and the usual University penalties will be applied.

The electronic copies will be scanned to detect plagiarism. It is therefore imperative that you consult the Student Handbook, which outlines what is counted as plagiarism and advises you how to avoid it. Failure to submit an electronic copy even if you submit two hard copies on time will mean that the essay will be counted as having not been submitted.

The standard University penalty for late submission should be 5% absolute standard University scale per normal working day, until the mark reaches zero. For example, an original mark of 67% would be successively reduced to 62%, 57%, 52%, 47% etc. Normal working days include vacation periods, but not weekends or public holidays. Applications for extensions will not normally be considered retrospectively. Any student wishing to apply for an extension should collect and complete the necessary forms from the School Office.

Reading Information:

General Reading – (** indicates essential reading)

The essential readings are required for preparation for the seminars. However, they represent the minimum requirement in order to understand the ideas covered in the module. The further readings will enable you to deepen your understanding of the different approaches, and you should read some (not all) of these in preparation for the coursework essay and the exam.

All of the essential readings are either taken from:

(a) Marsh, D. and Stoker, G. (eds.) (2010) Theory and Methods in Political Science Houndsmill, Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan. THIRD EDITION**

Or

The module WebCT site.

You should purchase the Third Edition of Marsh and Stoker and make use of the WebCT site.

You might also consider the purchase of Colin Hay’s Political Analysis: a critical introduction (2002) Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.

Tips for Reading:


You will find the reading in this module challenging. You will be introduced to many new terms and concepts. Some articles and books will appear more straightforward than others. Make sure you keep up with the essential readings, and try to engage with the texts from the list of further readings. If you find something too difficult and it’s giving you a head ache, leave it alone and find something more accessible and introductory. Ask your seminar tutor for advice about which books are more accessible than others. When you are reading a book or article, keep a list of key terms and look them up in a dictionary. Also, keep a note of anything you do not understand and raise it with your seminar tutor. You will find the reading for this course a bit like learning to ride a bike, it will seem difficult at first, but the more you practice the more able you will become.

Topic Based Readings – (** indicates essential reading)

Week 1 Introduction: What is Politics?

Furlong, P. and Marsh, D. (2010) ‘A Skin not a Sweater: ontology and epistemology in political science’ in D. Marsh and G. Stoker (eds.) Theory and Methods in Political Science Houndsmill, Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan. Third Edition: pp 184-211 **Smith, S. (2007) ‘Introduction’ in Dunne, T., Kuki, M. and Smith, S (eds.) International Relations Theories: Discipline and Diversity Oxford: OUP. **

Balbus, B. (1990) ‘Positivism’s Twilight’ in The Canadian Journal of Sociology 15 (2): 149-163.Benton,T. and Craib, I. (2001) Philosophy of Social Science: the philosophical foundations of social thought. Basingstoke: Palgrave.Burns, T. (2000) ‘What is Politics? Robinson Crusoe, Deep Ecology and Immanuel Kant’ in Politics 20 (2): 93-98.Crick, B. (2000) In Defence of Politics. London: Continuum. Chapter 1Finlayson, A. and Martin, J. (1997) ‘Political Studies and Cultural Studies’ in Politics 17 (3): 183-189.Haas, M. and Kariel, H. S. (eds.) (1970) Approaches to the Study of Political Science. Scranton, Pennsylvania: Chandler Publishing Company.Huysmans, J. (2005) What is politics? Edinburgh: EUP.Mouffe, C. (2005) On the Political. London: Routledge. Chapter 2Pennock, J. R. and Smith, D. G. (1964) Political Science: an introduction. New York: Macmillan.Trigg, R. (1985) Understanding Social Science: a philosophical introduction to the social sciences. Oxford: Blackwell.Warren, M. E. (1999) ‘What is political?’ in Journal of Theoretical Politics 11(2): 207-231.Wenman, M.A. (2003) ‘What is Politics? The Approach of Radical Pluralism’ in Politics 23 (1): 57-65.Williams, M. and May, T. (1996) Introduction to the Philosophy of Social Research. London: UCL Press.

Week 2 How do we Gather Valid Knowledge?

Marsh, D. and Stoker, G. (2010) ‘Introduction’ in D. Marsh and G. Stoker (eds.) Theory and Methods in Political Science Houndsmill, Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan. Third Edition: pp 1-12 **M12037 Approaches to Political Studies20010/11 9

Hay, C. (2002) ‘What’s ‘Political’ About Political Science?’ in C. Hay Political Analysis: a critical introduction Houndsmill, Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan. **Grofman, J.G. ‘Seven Durable Axes of Cleavage in Political Science’ in K.R. Monroe (ed.) Contemporary Empirical Political Theory. Berkeley: University of California Press. **

Chalmers, A. F. (1982) What is This Thing Called Science? an assessment of the nature and status of science and its methods. Milton Keynes: Open University Press.Delanty, G. (1997) Social Science: beyond constructivism and realism. Buckingham: Open University Press.Delanty, G. and Strydom, P. (eds.) (2003) Philosophies of Social Science: the classic and contemporary readings. Maidenhead: Open University.Gorton, W. A. (2006) Karl Popper and the Social Sciences. Albany: State University of New York Press.Hollis, M. (1994) The Philosophy of Social Science: an introduction. Cambridge: Cambridge U.P.King, G. and Keohane, R. et al. (1994) Designing Social Inquiry: scientific inference in qualitative research. Princeton: Princeton University Press.Magee, B. (1985) Philosophy and the Real World: an introduction to Karl Popper. La Salle, Illinois: Open Court.Magee, B. (1985) Popper. London: Fontana. Miller, D. (ed.) (1985) Popper Selections. Princeton, N.J: Princeton University Press. Popper, K. (1972) Conjectures and Refutations: the growth of scientific knowledge. London: Routledge. Sayer, A. (1994) Method in Social Science: a realist approach. London: Routledge. Steinmetz, G. (ed.) (2005) The Politics of Method in the Human Sciences: positivism and its epistemological others. London: Duke University Press.

Week 3 Positivism and the ‘Behavioural Revolution’

Sanders, D. (2010) ‘Behavioural Analysis’ in D. Marsh and G. Stoker (eds.) Theory and Methods in Political Science Houndsmill, Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan. Third Edition: pp 23-41 **Easton, D. (1967) ‘The Current Meaning of ‘Behaviouralism’’ in J. C. Charlesworth (ed.) Contemporary Political Analysis. New York: Free Press. **

Adcock, R. (2007) ‘Interpreting Behaviourism’ in R. Adcock, et al. (eds.) Modern Political Science: Anglo-American exchanges since 1880. Oxford: Princeton University Press. Almond, G. (1996) ‘Political Science: the history of the discipline’ in R. E. Goodin and H. D. Klingemann (eds.) A New Handbook of Political Science Oxford: Oxford University Press.Bachrach, P. and Baratz, M. (1962) ‘Two faces of power’ in American Political Science Review 56: 947–952.Bond, J.R. (2007) ‘The Scientification of the Study of Politics: some observations on the behavioural evolution in political science’ in The Journal of Politics 69(4): 897-907.Carmines, E. G. and Huckfeldt, R. (1996) ‘Political Behaviour: an overview’ in R. E. Goodin and H. D. Klingemann (eds.) A New Handbook of Political Science Oxford: Oxford University Press.Crick, B. (1954) ‘The Science of Politics in the United States’ in The Canadian Journal of Economics and Political Science 20(3): 308-320.Crick, B. (1982) The American Science of Politics: its origins and conditions Westport, Conn: Greenwood Press.


Dahl, R. (1958) ‘A Critique of the Ruling Elite Model’ in The American Political Science Review 52 (2): 463-469 Dahl, R. A. (1961) ‘The Behavioural Approach in Political Science: epitaph for a monument to a successful protest’ in The American Political Science Review 55(4): 763-772.Dahl, R. A. (1961) Who Governs? Democracy and Power in an American City. New Haven: Yale U.P. Dahl, R. A. (1963) Modern Political Analysis. Englewood Cliff: Prentice-Hall. De. Jouvenel, B. (1961) ‘On the Nature of Political Science’ in The American Political Science Review 55 (4): 773-779.Easton, D. (1969) ‘The New Revolution in Political Science’ in The American Political Science Review 63 (4): 1051-1061.Hay, C. (2002) Political Analysis: a critical introduction. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan. Chapter 5Kavanagh, D. (2003) ‘British political science in the inter-war years: the emergence of the founding fathers’ British Journal of Politics and International Relations 5(4): 594-613.Kim, K.W. (1965) ‘Limits of Behavioural Explanation in Politics’ in The Canadian Journal of Economics and Political Science 31(3): 315-327.Lukes, S. (1974) Power: a radical view. London: Macmillan.Miller, W. (1996) ‘Political Behaviour, Old and New’ in R. E. Goodin and H. D. Klingemann (eds.) A New Handbook of Political Science Oxford: Oxford University Press.Shepsle, K. A. and Bonchek, M. S. (1997) Analyzing Politics: rationality, behaviour, and institutions. New York and London: W.W. Norton.Sibley, M. (1967) ‘The Limitations of Behaviourism’ in J. C. Charlesworth (ed.) Contemporary Political Analysis. New York: Free Press.Susser, B. (1974) ‘The Behavioural Ideology: A Review and Retrospect’ in Political Studies 22 (3): 271-288.

Week 4 Rational Choice Theory

Hindmoor, A. (2010) ‘Rational Choice’ in D. Marsh and G. Stoker (eds.) Theory and Methods in Political Science Houndsmill, Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan. Third Edition: pp 42-59 **Green, D.P. and Shapiro, I. (1994) ‘Rationality in Politics and Economics’ in D.P. Green and I. Shapiro Pathologies of Rational Choice Theory: a critique of applications in political science New Haven: Yale University Press. **Riker, W. H. ‘The Ferment of the 1950s and the Development of Rational Choice Theory’ in K.R. Monroe (ed.) Contemporary Empirical Political Theory. Berkeley: University of California Press. **

Alt, J. E. and Alesina, A. (1996) ‘Political economy: an overview’ in R. E. Goodin and H. D. Klingemann (eds.) A New Handbook of Political Science. Oxford: Oxford University Press.Arrow, K. (1963) Social Choice and Individual Values. New York: John Wiley and Sons.Atkinson, A. B. (1996) ‘Political Economy, Old and New’ in R. E. Goodin and H. D. Klingemann (eds.) A New Handbook of Political Science Oxford: Oxford University Press.Axelrod, R. (1981) ‘The Emergence of Cooperation Among Egoists’ in The American Political Science Review 75(2): 306-318.


Calvert, R. L. (1995) ‘The Rational Choice Theory of Social Institutions: cooperation, coordination, and communication’ in J. S. Banks and E. A. Hanushek (eds.) Modern Political Economy. Old Topics, New Directions. Cambridge: Cambridge U.P.Coleman, J. S. and Fararo, T. J. (eds.) (1992) Rational Choice Theory: advocacy and critique. Newbury Park, California: Sage Publications. Downs, A. (1985) [1957] An Economic Theory of Democracy. Boston: Addison Wesley.Elster, J. (ed.) (1986) Rational Choice. New York: New York University Press. Friedman, J. (ed.) (1996) The Rational Choice Controversy: economic models of politics reconsidered. London: Yale University Press.Green, D.P. and Shapiro, I. (1994) Pathologies of Rational Choice Theory: a critique of applications in political science. New Haven: Yale University Press. Hicks, A. (1995) ‘Is Political Sociology Informed by Political Science?’ in Social Forces 73(4): 1219-1229.Kiser, E. (1999) ‘Comparing Varieties of Agency Theory in Economics, Political Science, and Sociology: an illustration from state policy implementation’ in Sociological Theory 17(2): 146-170.Laver, M. (1997) Private Desires, Political Action: an invitation to the politics of rational choice. London: Sage.Morrow, J. D. (1995) Game Theory for Political Scientists. Princeton: Princeton U.P.Olson, M. (1978) The Logic of Collective Action: public goods and the theory of groups. Cambridge: Harvard University Press.Ostrom, E. (1991) ‘Rational Choice Theory and Institutional Analysis: Towards Complementarily’ in The American Political Science Review 85 (1): 237-243.Parsons, S. D. (2005) Rational Choice and Politics: a critical introduction. London: Continuum. Schelling, T.C. (1967) ‘What is Game Theory’ in J. C. Charlesworth (ed.) Contemporary Political Analysis. New York: Free Press.Shubik, M. (1967) ‘The Uses of Game Theory’ in J. C. Charlesworth (ed.) Contemporary Political Analysis. New York: Free Press. Ward, H. (2002) ‘Rational Choice’ in D. Marsh and G. Stoker (eds.) Theory and Methods in Political Science Houndsmill, Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan. Second EditionZafirovski, M. (1999) ‘What is Really Rational Choice? beyond the utilitarian concept of rationality’ in Current Sociology 47 (1): 47-113.Zey, M. (1998) Rational Choice Theory and Organizational Theory: a critique. Thousand Oaks: Sage Publications.

Week 5 New Institutionalism

Lowndes, V. (2010) ‘The Institutional Approach’ in D. Marsh and G. Stoker (eds.) Theory and Methods in Political Science Houndsmill, Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan. Third Edition: pp 60-79**Hall, P. A. and Taylor R. C. R. (1996) ‘Political Science and the Three New Institutionalisms’ in Political Studies 19(): 936-957 **Keohane, R.O. (1988) ‘International Institutions: Two Approaches’ in International Studies Quarterly 32 (4): 379-396. **

Adcock, R., Bevir, M. and Stimson, S.C. (2007) ‘Historicising the New Institutionalism(s)’ in R. Adcock, et al. (eds.) Modern Political Science: Anglo-American exchanges since 1880. Oxford: Princeton University Press.Bevir, M. (2007) ‘Institutionalism and the Third Way’ in R. Adcock, et al. (eds.) Modern Political Science: Anglo-American exchanges since 1880. Oxford: Princeton University Press.


Brinton, M. C. and Nee, V. (eds.) (2001) The New Institutionalism in Sociology. California: Stanford. Fiorina, M. (1995) ‘Rational Choice and New(?) Institutionalism’ in Polity 28 (1): 107-115.Hall, P. A. (1997) ‘The role of Interests, Institutions, and Ideas in the Comparative Political Economy of the Industrialized Nations’ in M. Lichbach and A. Zuckerman (eds.) Comparative Politics: rationality, culture and structure. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Keohane, R. O. (1989) International Institutions and State Power: essays in international relations theory. Boulder: Westview Press.Kloppenberg, J.T. ‘Institutionalism, Rational Choice, and Historical Analysis’ in Polity 28 (1): 125-128.Koelble, A. (1995) ‘The New Institutionalism in Political Science and Technology’ in Comparative Politics 27(2): 231-243.March, J. G. and Olsen, J. P. (1984) ‘The New Institutionalism: organizational factors in political life’ in American Political Science Review 78(3): 734-749.March, J. G. and Olsen, J. P. (1998) ‘The Institutional Dynamics of International Political Orders’ International Organization 52(4): 943-969.March, J.G. and Olsen. J. P. (1989) Rediscovering Institutions: the organizational basis of politics. New York: Free Press. Orren, K. (1995) ‘Ideas and Institutions’ in Polity 28 (1): 97-101.Peters, B. (1996) ‘Political Institutions Old and New’ in R. E. Goodin and H. D. Klingemann (eds.) A New Handbook of Political Science Oxford: Oxford University Press.Peters, G. B. (1999) Institutional Theory in Political Science. London/New York: Pinter.Rothstein, B. (1996) ‘Political Institutions: an overview’ in R. E. Goodin and H. D. Klingemann (eds.) A New Handbook of Political Science. Oxford: Oxford University Press.Skocpol, T. (1995) ‘Why I am an Historical Institutionalist’ in Polity 28 (1): 103-106.Steinmo, S. et al. (eds.) (1992) Structuring Politics: historical institutionalism in comparative analysis. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.Weingast, B. R. ‘Political Institutions: rational choice perspectives’ in R. E. Goodin and H. D. Klingemann (eds.) A New Handbook of Political Science Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Week 6 Interpretivism and Constructivism

Parsons, C. (2010) ‘Constructivism and Interpretivist Theory’ in D. Marsh and G. Stoker (eds.) Theory and Methods in Political Science Houndsmill, Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan. Third Edition: pp 80-98**Wendt, A. (1992) ‘Anarchy is What States make of it: the social construction of power politics’ in International Organisation 46 (2): 391-425 **

Baylis, J. and Smith, S. (2006) The Globalisation of World Politics: an introduction to international relations. Third Edition. Oxford: OUP. Chapter 11Bevir, M. and Rhodes R. A. W. (2002) ‘Interpretive Theory’ in D. Marsh and G. Stoker (eds.) Theory and Methods in Political Science Houndsmill, Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan. Second EditionBevir, M. and Rhodes, R.A.W. (2003) Interpreting British Governance. London Routledge.Dunne, T., Kuki, M. and Smith, S. (eds.) (2007) International Relations Theories: discipline and diversity. Oxford: OUP. Chapter 9


Finlayson, A. (2004) ‘The Interpretive Approach in Political Science: a symposium’ in British Journal of Politics and International Relations 6(2): 129-164. See also the other essays in this issue.Finnemore, M. and Sikkink, K. (2001) ‘Taking Stock: the constructivist research program in international relations and comparative politics’ in Annual Review of Political Science (4): 391–416.Gadamer, H. G. (1975) Truth and Method. London: Sheed & Ward.Geertz, C. (1973) The Interpretation of Cultures: selected essays. New York: Basis Books.Hay, C. (2002) Political Analysis: a critical introduction. Houndsmill, Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan. Chapter 6Howarth, D. (2000) Discourse. Buckingham: Open University Press.Natanson, M. (ed.) (1970) Phenomenology and Social Reality: essays in memory of Alfred Schutz. The Hague: Nijhoff.Rabinow, P. and Sullivan, W. (eds.) (1987) Interpretive Social Science: a second look. Berkeley: University of California Press.Wendt, A. (1992) Social Theory of International Politics. New York: CUP.


Week 7 Marxism and Early Critical Theory

Maguire, D. (2010) ‘Marxism’ in D. Marsh and G. Stoker (eds.) Theory and Methods in Political Science Houndsmill, Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan. Third Edition: pp 136-155**Kellner, D. (1991) ‘Introduction to the Second Edition’ in H. Marcuse One-dimensional Man: studies in the ideology of advanced industrial society. London: Routledge. **Marcuse, H. (1991) ‘Introduction to the First Edition’ in H. Marcuse One-dimensional Man: studies in the ideology of advanced industrial society. London: Routledge. **

Arato, A. and Geibhardt, E. (eds.) (1978) The Essential Frankfurt School Reader. Oxford: Blackwell.Bottomore, T. (1984) The Frankfurt School. Chichester: Horwood.Gamble, A. and Marsh, D. et al. (eds.) (1999) Marxism and Social Science. Houndsmill, Basingstoke: MacMillan.Hay, C. (2002) Political Analysis: a critical introduction. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan. Chapter 3Held, D. (1980) Introduction to Critical Theory: Horkheimer to Habermas. London: Hutchinson.Horkheimer, M. (1995) Critical Theory: selected essays. New York: Continuum Books.Horkheimer, M. and Adorno, T. (1979) Dialectic of Enlightenment. London: Verso.Jay, M. (1996) The Dialectical Imagination: a history of the Frankfurt School and the Institute of Social Research, 1923-1950. Berkeley/London: University of California Press.Kellner, D. (1984) Herbert Marcuse and the Crisis of Marxism. London: Macmillan.Marcuse H. (1991) One-dimensional Man: studies in the ideology of advanced industrial society. London: Routledge. Marsh, D. (2002). ‘Marxism’ in D. Marsh and G. Stoker (eds.) Theory and Methods in Political Science Houndsmill, Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan. Second EditionMiliband, R. (1970) ‘The Capitalist State: reply to Nicos Poulantzas’ in New Left Review 1 (59):53-60.Miliband, R. (1973) ‘Poulantzas and the Capitalist State’ in New Left Review 1 (82):83-92.Miliband, R. (1973) The State in Capitalist Society: an analysis of the western system of power. London: Quartet.Poulantzas, N. (1969) ‘The Problem of the Capitalist State’ in New Left Review 1 (58):67-78.Poulantzas, N. (1973) Political Power and Social Classes. London: New Left Books.Slater, P. (1977) Origin and Significance of the Frankfurt School: a Marxist perspective. London: Routledge.Tallack, D. (ed) (1995) Critical Theory: a reader. New York/London: Harvester Wheatsheaf.

Week 8 Feminist Approaches

Randall, V. (2010) ‘Feminism’ in D. Marsh and G. Stoker (eds.) Theory and Methods in Political Science Houndsmill, Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan. Third Edition: pp 114-135**Harding, S. (1992) ‘After the Neutrality Ideal: science, politics and ‘strong objectivity’’ in Social Research 59 (3): 568-87. **

Benhabib, S. and Butler, J. et al. (1995) Feminist Contentions: a philosophical exchange. London: Routledge.M12037 Approaches to Political Studies20010/11 15

Blumenfeld, W. J. and Breen, M.S. (2005) Butler Matters: Judith Butler's impact on feminist and queer studies. Aldershot: Ashgate.Bryson, V. (2003) Feminist Political Theory. Houndsmill: Palgrave Macmillan.Butler, J. (1993) Bodies That Matter: on the discursive limits of ‘sex’. New York: Routledge.Code, L. (1988) ‘Experience, Knowledge and Responsibility’ in M. Griffiths, and M. Whitford (eds.) Feminist Perspectives in Philosophy. Basingstoke: Macmillan. Frickner, M. (2000) ‘Feminism in Epistemology: pluralism without postmodernism’ in M. Fricker, and J. Hornsby (eds.) The Cambridge Companion to Feminism in Philosophy. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.Hammersley, M. (2000) Taking Sides In Social Research: essays on partisanship and bias. London: Routledge.Harding, S. (1986) The Science Question in Feminism. Ithaca: Cornell University Press.Harding, S. (2004) ‘Introduction: standpoint theory as a site of political, philosophical, and scientific debate’ in S. Harding (ed.) The Feminist Standpoint Theory Reader. New York/ London: Routledge.Harding, S. (ed.) (1987) Feminism And Methodology. Bloomington: Indianna University Press. Harding, S. (ed.) (2004) The Feminist Standpoint Theory Reader. New York/London: Routledge.Heckman, S. (1997) ‘Truth and Method: feminist standpoint revisited’ in Signs 22 (2): 314-365. See also the commentaries by Hardstock, Collins, and Harding in the same issue.Lloyd, M. (2007) Judith Butler: from norms to politics. Cambridge: Polity. Salih, S. (ed.) (2003) The Judith Butler Reader. Oxford: Blackwell.Seller, A. (1988) ‘Realism vs. Relativism: towards a politically adequate epistemology’ in M. Griffiths, and M. Whitford (eds.) Feminist Perspectives in Philosophy. Basingstoke: Macmillan.Sylvester, C. (2002) Feminist International Relations: an unfinished journey. Cambridge: Cambridge U.P.Tickner, A. J. (1992) Gender in International Relations. New York: Columbia University Press.Wylie, A. ‘Feminism in Philosophy of Science: making sense of contingency and constraint’ in M. Fricker, and J. Hornsby (eds.) The Cambridge Companion to Feminism in Philosophy. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Week 9 Habermas

Johnson, P. (2006) ‘The Theory of Communicative Action’ in P. Johnson Habermas: Rescuing the Public Sphere. London: Routledge. **Finlayson, J. G. (2005) Habermas: a very short introduction. Oxford: OUP. Chapters 2 and 3 **

Benhabib, S. and d'Entrèves, M. P. (1996) Habermas and the Unfinished Project of Modernity: critical essays on the philosophical discourse of modernity. Cambridge: Polity Press.Edgar, A. (2006) Habermas: the key concepts. London: Routledge.Finlayson, J. G. (2005) Habermas: a very short introduction. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Geuss, R. (1981) The Idea of a Critical Theory: Habermas and the Frankfurt School. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.


Habermas, J. (1979) Communication and the Evolution of Society. London: Heinemann Educational. Habermas, J. (1984) The Theory of Communicative Action Volume One. Cambridge: Polity Press.Habermas, J. (1987) The Philosophical Discourse of Modernity. Cambridge: Polity Press.Habermas, J. (1996) Between Facts and Norms: contributions to a discourse theory of law and democracy. Cambridge: MIT Press.Held, D. (1980) Introduction to Critical Theory: Horkheimer to Habermas. London: Hutchinson.Keat, R. (1981) The Politics of Social Theory: Habermas, Freud and the critique of positivism. Oxford: Blackwell. Meehan, J. (ed.) (1995) Feminists Read Habermas: gendering the subject of discourse. New York: Routledge. Outhwaite, W. (ed.) (1996) The Habermas Reader. Oxford: Polity.Pusey, M. (1993) Jürgen Habermas. London: Routledge. White, S. K. (1995)The Cambridge Companion to Habermas. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Week 10 Post-modern Approaches

Foucault, M. (1994) ‘Questions of Method’ in J. F. Faubion (ed.) The Essential Works of Foucault. Volume Three: Power. Penguin Books. **Dews, P. (1987) ‘Michel Foucault: Power and Knowledge’ in P. Dews Logics of Disintegration: post-structuralist thought and the claims of critical theory. London: Verso. **

Barrett, M. (1991) The Politics of Truth: from Marx to Foucault. Cambridge: Polity Press. Barth, L. (1998) ‘Michel Foucault’ in R. Stones (ed.) Key Sociological Thinkers Houndmills, Basingstoke: Palgrave Boyne, R. (1990) Foucault and Derrida: the other side of reason. London: Unwin and Hyman.Danaher, G. et al. (2000) Understanding Foucault. London: Sage. Dreyfus, H. L. and Rabinow, P. (1982) Michel Foucault: beyond structuralism and hermeneutics. Brighton: Harvester Press.Foucault, M. (1981) Power/Knowledge. New York: Pantheon.Foucault, M. (1984) ‘Nietzsche, Genealogy, History’ in P. Rabinow (ed.) The Foucault Reader. London: Penguin.Foucault, M. (1984) ‘Truth and Power’ in P. Rabinow (ed.) The Foucault Reader. London: Penguin.Gemes, K. (1992) ‘Nietzsche's Critique of Truth’ in Philosophy and Phenomenological Research. 52 (1): 47-65.Gutting, G. (2005) Foucault: a very short introduction. Oxford: Oxford University Press.Gutting, G. (ed.) (2005) The Cambridge Companion to Foucault. New York: Cambridge University Press.Haber, H. F. (1994) Beyond Postmodern Politics: Lyotard, Rorty, Foucault. New York: Routledge.Hay, C. (2002) Political Analysis: a critical introduction. Houndsmill, Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan. Chapter 7Lyotard, J. F. (1984) The Postmodern Condition: A report on knowledge. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press.Merquior, J. G. (1991) Foucault. London: Fontana.M12037 Approaches to Political Studies20010/11 17

Nietzsche, F. (1977) ‘Truth and Lie in an Extra Moral Sense’ in J. Hollingdale (ed.) A Nietzsche Reader. Harmondsworth: Penguin.Rorty, R. (1992) ‘The contingency of Language’ in Contingency, Irony and Solidarity Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. pp. 3-23 Rosenau, P. M. (1992) Post-Modernism and the Social Sciences: insights, inroads, and intrusions. Princeton: Princeton University Press.Simons, J. (1995) Foucault and the Political. London: Routledge.Smart, B. (1983) Foucault, Marxism and Critique. London: Routledge.Turner, B. S. (ed.) (1990) Theories of Modernity and Postmodernity. London: Sage Publications.

Coursework Support:The Hallward Library and Halls of Residence have a number of networked PCs to facilitate access to information on holdings.

As Module Convenor please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any difficulties with the module or assessed work. I will be available without appointment during my office hours. Appointments to meet at other times can be made by calling me on my direct line or via email. My contact details together with office hours are noted at the front of this module outline.

Guidance to Essay Writing:

A short guide for students on essay writing skills and an outline of the marking criteria used by staff is available from the School Intranet.

Assessed Essay Titles:

1. ‘The study of politics and/or international relations should be modelled on the natural sciences’ Discuss.

2. Has the behavioural revolution failed?

3. Assess the strengths and weaknesses of rational choice theory as an explanatory account of political behaviour.

4. Critically assess the role of institutions in shaping the strategic actions of individuals.

5. Assess the strengths and weaknesses of constructivist theory and its application to the study of politics and/or international relations.

Tips for Essays:

Demonstrate you have conducted the reading. Define technical terms (such as ontology and epistemology) the first time you

use them.


Demonstrate that you understand the arguments for and against different approaches, but also show that you have thought about which one you find more convincing and why.

Don’t give unsubstantiated opinions.

Reminder: submission date is 4pm on 15th November 2010


Documents

CONTENTS PAGE - University of Nottingham€¦ · Web viewReading Information: 8. Coursework Support: 18. Guidance to Essay Writing: 18. Assessed Essay Titles: 18. Tips for Essays: