POLS 200

Method and Scope in Political Science

Introduction to the philosophy of science, and the scope and methods of empirical research in political, social and policy science. In the area of philosophy of science, focuses on the logic of scientific inquiry, theory testing and confirmation and causal explanation. In the area of scope and methods, critically examines the scientific merits of several competing approaches to the study of politics and policy, as well as some of the major methodological controversies and debates in the literature.

Units: 3.0