Political Inquiry and Analysis
Requirements
Johnson, Janet
Buttolph and H.T. Reynolds, Political Science Research Methods.
Washington, DC: Congressional Quarterly Press, 2005. (Fifth edition) [PSRM]
Duneier, Mitchell,
Slim's Table. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1992.
All other readings
will be made available online- see
syllabus
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Course Requirements/ Grade Breakdown |
Attendance:
Attendance is
required. This class only meets once a week, so
more than three unexcused absences will result in an automatic "F"
for the course.
Participation:
10%
Your
participation in-class is an integral part of the course's learning experience
and is so reflected in the grading method. In-class participation will count
for 10% of your final grade. Irrelevant, off-the-subject commentary will not
count. As part of class participation, each student will occasionally, at
least twice, lead the discussion about some of the assigned readings.
Assignments:
40% (10% each)
All assignments
are to be submitted in hard copy. Email submissions are not allowed- no
exceptions.
a)
Assignments 1-2: You are to write a short paper (about 3-4pp, double spaced),
addressing a specific question on experimentation and ethnography. The paper
is due on the night the respective reading is first discussed. Questions will
be given out the week before the book is discussed. If you miss this class
questions will be made available- I will post them on my office door
(51/2404). I will not email questions to you- no exceptions. Assignments 1
and 2 should adhere to the following style: 12pt, Times Roman, with one-inch
margins. Citations should be made in either APA or MLA. Assignment 1 is due
October 5th, 2006. Assignment 2 is due October 19th, 2006.
b)
Assignment 3-4: Using SPSS, you are to analyze data, conducting univariate,
cross-tabulations, and in assignment 4, a regression. More detailed
instructions will be given out later in the semester. Assignment 3 is due
November 2nd, 2006. Assignment 4 is due November 30th, 2006.
Survey Research: 20%
We will be
conducting a telephone survey of Duval county residents concerning their
attitudes toward contemporary politics. We will, as a class, be designing the
survey - deciding what questions to ask, how best to frame them, etc.
We will also be
collecting the data. This will involve 2 or 3 nights (c. 5-9pm) at the
Public Opinion Research Lab. Exact dates to be announced.
You will, to
fulfill the survey research component of the course, also submit a 2-3 page
report about your analysis of some of the data. All submissions must be made
in hardcopy. No email submissions allowed.
Submission of analysis due: December
7th, 2006
Computer Exam:
10%
There will be an
in-class computer analysis exam, testing each student on their ability to
analyze data using SPSS.
Date:
December 7th, 2006.
Exam : 20%
There is only one
exam in this course. This exam will test each student on research methods and
statistical materials learned throughout the semester. Students may use a
personal calculator in the exam. However, students may not use other
electronic devices, such as a PC, a PDA, cell phone, which have a calculator
capability.
Make up exams will
be given only under unusual circumstances, such as in the event of serious
illness, or a death in the family. Documentation (doctor’s note/ death
certificate) will be required to take the exam.
Date: December
7th, 2006.
Plagiarism is
unacceptable and anyone caught engaging in the practice may expect to fail the
course. The instructor may submit all course papers to turnitin.com, a
plagiarism detection service retained by the Political Science and Public
Administration Department.
The University of
North Florida is committed to making reasonable accommodation to individuals
with disabilities. If you wish to discuss academic accommodations for this
course please inform the professor prior to the first assignment. Students
should not expect that, if they do poorly on an assignment, to claim, at that
time, a disability. This statement is to preclude that problem, and allow
people with disabilities to be treated fairly and appropriately.
The instructor
reserves the right to change the course syllabus at his discretion to enhance
the learning process.