Fall 2020 - POL 314 D100
Theory and Explanation in Political Science (4)
Class Number: 7387
Delivery Method: Remote
Overview
-
Course Times + Location:
Sep 9 – Dec 8, 2020: Thu, 11:30 a.m.–1:20 p.m.
Burnaby -
Exam Times + Location:
Dec 15, 2020
Tue, 11:59–11:59 p.m.
Burnaby
-
Instructor:
Laurent Dobuzinskis
dobuzins@sfu.ca
1 778 782-3841
-
Prerequisites:
Six lower division units in political science or permission of the department.
Description
CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:
A discussion of issues in the philosophy of the social sciences which are relevant to the study of politics and a critical evaluation of contemporary approaches to political inquiry, including empirical theory, rational choice theory and hermeneutics. Quantitative.
COURSE DETAILS:
This course is designated as a “Q” course, meaning that it is designed to introduce students to logical and quantitative methods of analysis in political science. Concepts and principles derived from Game Theory and Social Choice will be used for that purpose. Students will learn about, and apply, a variety of “games,” some of which, e.g., the Prisoner's Dilemma (PD), are very well known. Game Theory raises fundamental questions such as: do self-interested individuals end up working against their own interest? Can social cooperation emerge spontaneously, or do we need government to keep us in line? Why are political coalitions unstable? And Social Choice raises questions about the limitations of democratic procedures. Game Theory and Social Choice follow a deductive approach. It will be contrasted with other approaches that define the logic of social inquiry differently, either by using inductive methods of analysis (e.g., survey data analysis), or by moving completely away from “scientific” methods and paying more attention to the ways in which social problems are “constructed” by the actors themselves (i.e., interpretive approaches). In brief, the purpose of this course is to answer the question of how political scientists make sense of politics in general, but the emphasis bears more on formal/deductive methods than on the other two approaches because they are not covered in other methods courses.
There will be a two-hour (plus) lecture (synchronous Zoom meeting) and a one-hour asynchronous weekly discussion and quizzes period (using Canvas or some other platform).
Grading
- Term Paper (12-15pp.) 40%
- Mid-term proctored online 20%
- Participation 10%
- Take-home Final Exam - due Dec. 15th at 11:59 pm 30%
Materials
REQUIRED READING:
Edward C. Rosenthal, The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Game Theory. Penguin Books, 2011
Department Undergraduate Notes:
Registrar Notes:
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS
SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating. Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.
Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the University community. Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the University. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the University. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html
TEACHING AT SFU IN FALL 2020
Teaching at SFU in fall 2020 will be conducted primarily through remote methods. There will be in-person course components in a few exceptional cases where this is fundamental to the educational goals of the course. Such course components will be clearly identified at registration, as will course components that will be “live” (synchronous) vs. at your own pace (asynchronous). Enrollment acknowledges that remote study may entail different modes of learning, interaction with your instructor, and ways of getting feedback on your work than may be the case for in-person classes. To ensure you can access all course materials, we recommend you have access to a computer with a microphone and camera, and the internet. In some cases your instructor may use Zoom or other means requiring a camera and microphone to invigilate exams. If proctoring software will be used, this will be confirmed in the first week of class.
Students with hidden or visible disabilities who believe they may need class or exam accommodations, including in the current context of remote learning, are encouraged to register with the SFU Centre for Accessible Learning (caladmin@sfu.ca or 778-782-3112).