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The aim of this
seminar is to explore the purposes, problems, and strategies of empirical
political research (including that using both qualitative and quantitative data). First, we will
briefly reexamine the fundamental assumptions of, justifications for, and
criticisms of the scientific study of politics. This is done not to resolve
the ongoing debate over the possibility and desirability of a political or
policy Òscience,Ó but rather to raise these issues and to lay the groundwork
for careful consideration of varying approaches to research questions. The
bulk of the course will focus on ways of designing and doing empirical study
– including discussions of conceptualization, the rules and problems of
measurement, several ÒlogicsÓ for research designs, and a range of
observational (data gathering) techniques. Along the way, careful attention
will be paid to the advantages and pitfalls of particular research
strategies. Although we will not discover the Òone best wayÓ to do empirical
political analysis, we will work to distinguish among strategies that are
better and worse for examining particular research questions.
The
courseÕs objectives are three-fold: 1) to provide an overview of the
advantages and disadvantages of the research approaches most commonly adopted
by U.S. political scientists and hence of the contour and some of the
outstanding issues in the field; 2) to help students be more thoughtful and
critical ÒconsumersÓ of social science literature; and 3) to give students
additional tools with which to explore their own research interests (in, for
example, masterÕs theses, doctoral dissertations, convention papers).
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This seminar will examine
the cultural conditions for democracy. It will examine the literature on
trust in government, social capital, post-modern values, voter turnout, and
support for political parties. Members of the seminar will be expected to
read weekly assignments and to write short but cogent critiques of each book.
The final requirement will be a comprehensive analytical review of current
democratic empirical theory.
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Review of how the arts serve in
civil society as cities mobilize to reignite economic growth after the
collapse of old industrial clusters. Considers the role of arts, ranging from
architecture, music companies, or theater productions to heritage sites,
science museums, or art galleries, in revitalizing civil society and
rebuilding urban centers effective art policy or cultural development plans.
(3H,3C).
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