Introduction to Political Analysis

PS 372, Section 003 – Spring 2011

University of Kentucky, Political Science

Class Schedule: Tuesday and Thursday 2:00 – 3:15

Location: Chemistry-Physics Building, Room 201
Instructor: Phillip J. Wininger, J.D., Department of Political Science
 Email: phillip.wininger@uky.edu
 Office Location: Patterson Office Tower 1602
 Office Hours: Wednesday 11:00 – 12:00 & Thursday 3:30 – 4:30, or by appointment.
Course Website: http://ukpoliticalanalysis.blogspot.com
 The course website will be used to provide students access to important
announcements, materials (e.g. the syllabus), assignments and links to other course-
related information. Please bookmark the website and check it regularly for
updates.

Course Introduction and Objectives

This course introduces students to the fundamental theories and concepts of political science
research. How do political scientists empirically explore political behavior, institutions and
phenomena? Is political science really a science? What are variables, hypotheses, and
theories? The course is designed to answer such questions.

In order facilitate understanding of political science research, the course seeks to enable
students to achieve the following goals:

 Comprehend the basic approaches to empirical research in political science.

 Understand how political scientists develop research questions, theories and hypotheses.
 Learn how political scientists operationalize theories and hypotheses through research
designs that employ specific explanatory and control variables.
 Gain knowledge regarding basic statistics used in the conduct of political science research.
 For students contemplating post-graduate study in political science, comprehend the
rigors and expectations of advanced graduate-level research.
 Course Syllabus - Introduction to Political Analysis

Required Texts

This course requires two textbooks, which can be purchased online or at the bookstores:

1. Political Science Research Methods, 6th Edition

 Authors: Johnson, Reynolds, Mycoff
 Press: CQ Press

This book contains the primary course readings for the semester. The Course Outline section of
the syllabus identifies the relevant chapter readings associated with each lecture. It is essential
to read the relevant chapters prior to lecture day, as class discussions will involve a mixture of
information presented in the textbook and additional information presented in class. Ability to
participate in class and thoroughly comprehend the lectures depends upon effective
preparation before class.

The applicable dates for the chapter readings are subject to change depending upon the
progress of the course. Revisions to the scheduled readings will be communicated to the class
as the need arises.

2. Working with Political Science Research Methods: Problems and Exercises, 2nd
Edition
 Authors: Johnson and Reynolds
 Press: CQ Press

This book is a required supplement to the main text and contains various problems and
exercises to be completed throughout the semester. For more information regarding these
assignments, see the Assignments and Participation section of the syllabus.

Graded Components

1. Research Design: 30%

 Stage One – Research Question: 5%
 Stage Two – Theory and Hypotheses: 10%
 Stage Three – Final Draft: 15%

2. Assignments and Participation: 30%

 Various assignments, in-class participation exercises, and attendance quizzes

3. Exams: 40%
 Mid-Term: 20%
 Final: 20%

2
 Course Syllabus - Introduction to Political Analysis

Grade Scale:

A = 90‐100%
B = 80‐89%
C = 70‐79%
D = 60‐69%
E = 0‐59%

Rounding Policy: Final semester grades will be rounded higher only in the case of decimals. For
example, an 89.3 will be rounded to a 90, but an 89.0 will not be rounded. The instructor will
strictly adhere to this policy.

Student Privacy: In order to safeguard student privacy, the instructor will not discuss or reveal
grades by phone or email.

Excused and Unexcused Absences

Pursuant to University of Kentucky policy, only certain categories of absences qualify as excused
absences: serious illness of the student, member of the student’s household, or member of the
student’s immediate family; death of a member of the student’s household or immediate
family; University sponsored trips; and major religious holidays. No other absences will qualify
as excused, except in very exceptional circumstances. The instructor will strictly adhere to the
excused absence policy.

If a student wishes to make up a missed exam, assignment or quiz due to an excused absence,
proper documentation of the absence is required. If documentation is not provided within
one week of the absence, it will not be considered excused.

Research Design

A significant component of the course requires students to complete a research design based
upon concepts learned in class. The paper will be completed in three stages:

Stage One: Students will submit an explanation of a proposed research question ( 1-2 pages)
that seeks to empirically explore some facet the major political science fields (e.g. American
politics, international relations, comparative politics).

Stage Two: Students will coherently develop and explain specific theory and hypotheses
related to the research question (5-7 pages).

Stage Three: Students will submit a final paper that includes (1) revisions and improvements to
the research question, theory and hypotheses and (2) an operationalization of the design that
includes an examination of research methods and explanatory/control variables (10 - 15 pages).

3
 Course Syllabus - Introduction to Political Analysis

Students will not conduct the research. Rather, this component involves a research design,
whereby students will theorize about and develop a plan for conducting research as to specific
empirical questions and hypotheses. The grades for each stage will be based upon the
originality of the work, the extent to which class concepts are correctly integrated, and the
degree to which time and thought is devoted to crafting a quality written product. More details
regarding the expectations for each stage of the research design will be communicated to the
class in advance of the applicable due dates.

Assignments and Participation

This course requires regular attendance and participation. An overall participation grade will be
assigned based upon several components:

Out-of-Class Problems Sets: Throughout the semester, various problem sets will be assigned
from the supplemental text. Due dates for upcoming assignments will be announced in class at
least two classes prior to the applicable date. No emailed or late assignments will be accepted
without an excused absence. Thus, students must attend class in order to turn in the
assignments and receive a grade.

Pop Quizzes: Attendance quizzes will be administered randomly during the semester. The
instructor reserves the right to administer these quizzes at the beginning or end of class based
upon class readings and lectures.

In-Class Participation: Points will be assigned and/or deducted based on class attendance and
participation. During the semester, for example, a few scholarly political science articles will be
assigned for out-of-class reading. The class will then discuss and review these articles together.
Additionally, various research theory/statistics examples will be analyzed in class. The
instructor reserves the right to directly call on students to respond to these readings or in-class
examples.

Exams

Two exams will be administered during the semester. The material covered prior to each exam,
as identified in the Course Outline section, may change depending upon the progress of the
course. However, the relevant exam dates are not subject to change absent emergency
extenuating circumstances.

Exams will consist of multiple choice and short answer questions. More details regarding the
specific format of the exams will be announced in class prior to the exam dates.

4
 Course Syllabus - Introduction to Political Analysis

Academic Misconduct and Dishonesty

Academic dishonesty is a serious offense and can result in a failing grade for a segment of
and/or the entire course. Individuals suspected of academic misconduct will handled according
to established rules of the University of Kentucky and the College of Arts & Sciences.
Misconduct includes, but is not limited to, cheating on assignments or tests, plagiarizing
assignments (e.g. misrepresenting one’s own work done by another), depriving another of
course materials, and sabotaging another’s work. For additional information on plagiarism,
take a look at UK policies:

http://www.uky.edu/Ombud/Plagiarism.pdf

Students with Special Needs

Students with special needs must contact the instructor immediately. Every reasonable
effort to accommodate special needs will be made. The student must register with the
Disability Resource Center:

http://www.uky.edu/StudentAffairs/DisabilityResourceCenter/index.html

Additional Class Rules

 Students are permitted to use a notebook computer during class time only for taking
lecture notes. Computers may not be used during class time to complete assignments
from other classes, utilize the internet for any reason, send emails of any kind, or engage
in any form of social networking. Any and all students who violate this rule will be barred
from using a computer during class for the remainder of the semester.
 Absent specific permission from the instructor, no mobile devices, pagers, tape recorders,
and/or other electronic devices may be used during class time. All electronic devices
(except for computers) must be turned off/silenced and stowed away prior to the
beginning of class. This policy means that texting, emailing, or sending/receiving phone
calls during class is absolutely forbidden. The instructor will be forced to call attention to
violations of this rule.
 Powerpoint Policy: The instructor will utilize powerpoints to aid class lectures. These
powerpoints serve as a mere outline of the substantive topics addressed in class; they do
not contain the totality of information students are expected to learn. Thus, students
must listen, be engaged, and take adequate notes during class. The powerpoints will be
made available on the course website after the lecture material is presented in class.
 All other University of Kentucky and College of Arts & Sciences policies not specifically
addressed herein apply in this course.
 The instructor reserves the right to make changes to this syllabus as the need arises.

5
 Course Syllabus - Introduction to Political Analysis

Course Outline

Date Topic Readings

January 13 - Thursday Course Introduction
January 18 The Scientific Study of Politics JRM Chapters 1 & 2
January 20 The Scientific Study of Politics JRM Chapters 1 & 2
January 25 Theory and Hypotheses JRM Chapter 3
January 27 Theory and Hypotheses JRM Chapter 3
February 1 Theory and Hypotheses & JRM Chapters 3 & 4
Measurement
February 3 Measurement JRM Chapter 4
February 8 Measurement JRM Chapter 4
February 10 Research Design JRM Chapter 5
Stage 1: Research Question Due
February 15 Research Design JRM Chapter 5
February 17 Research Design JRM Chapter 5

February 22 Research Design JRM Chapters 5 & 6

February 24 Article Critique #1 TBA
March 1 Exam Review
March 3 Mid-Term Exam
March 8 Sampling JRM Chapter 7
March 10 Direct v. Indirect Observation JRM Chapter 8
March 14-19 Spring Break
March 22 Direct v. Indirect Observation JRM Chapters 8 & 9
March 24 Survey Research JRM Chapter 10
Stage 2: Theory and Hypotheses
Due
March 29 Survey Research JRM Chapter 10
March 31 Univariate Analysis JRM Chapter 11
April 5 Univariate Analysis JRM Chapter 11
April 7 Article Critique #2 TBA
April 12 Bivariate Analysis JRM Chapter 12
April 14 Bivariate Analysis JRM Chapter 12
April 19 Bivariate Analysis JRM Chapter 12
April 21 Multivariate Analysis JRM Chapter 13
Stage 3: Final Research Design Due
April 26 Multivariate Analysis JRM Chapter 13
April 28 Exam Review
May 6 - Friday Final Exam (8:00 am)