Political Science 3000 Dr. Jay A. DeSart
Fall 2010 E-Mail: JDeSart@uvu.edu
T, Th : 8:30 - 9:45 AM Office: LA 30f (801) 863-6314
Room: ME 104Office Hours:T - Th 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
http://desart.us/courses/3000/              



Political Analysis


I. Course Objective

        The purpose of this course is to familiarize students with the process of conducting advanced academic research in political science. It is intended to give you the necessary tools in order to competently understand empirical political science research, as well as lay the groundwork for graduate-level research...should that be in your future plans. In any event, this course will (hopefully) turn you into real "political scientists." As such, it is in all probability quite unlike any other political science class you've had before.

        However, you need not be planning on going to graduate school in order to benefit from this course, as we will be seeking to develop analytical and research skills that will be of use regardless of whatever you choose to do "when you grow up." Throughout the semester we will cover every step of the research process from formulating an idea, to developing a research strategy (and all the steps that entails), to actually conducting the research and presenting the results. Conducting this type of research is quite unlike that which you have learned in your freshman or sophomore years as it involves going beyond distilling information you have culled from books and articles. Rather, for us that information serves as a stepping off point for your own imagination and intuition. This is the heart of rigorous scientific inquiry: building on past ideas to further our understanding of the phenomenon in question. The ultimate goals of this course are to help you 1) develop an ability to think conceptually, 2) to turn abstract arguments into something observable, 3) empirically test those arguments, and most importantly, 4) to critically evaluate your arguments and those of others.

        Finally, while this is not a course in statistics we will examine the entire research process including the data analysis stage. This will require minimal amounts of both computer knowledge and mathematical prowess. We are fortunate in that we will be using a very user-friendly software package that will hopefully keep headaches to a minimum.


II. Required Textbooks

        Two textbooks have been ordered for the course and are available for purchase at the campus bookstore:

Le Roy, Michael K. and Michael Corbett. Research Methods in Political Science: An Introduction Using MicroCase ExplorIt. 7th Edition. Wadsworth/Thomson Learning.  NOTE: Do NOT buy this book used, you will not be able to do the homework assignments properly if you do!

Pollock, Phillip H. The Essentials of Political Analysis.  2nd Edition CQ Press.

III. Expectations of Students

        Students are expected to keep up with assigned readings and participate in class discussion. Furthermore, you are expected to do the the computer/homework assignments on time. Lecture and discussion will be much more meaningful if the students come to class prepared.  The timetable for homework and exams can be found here.

        With respect to class attendance and participation, I direct you to your academic responsibilities as stated in the Student Code in the College Catalog:
    Each student is expected to take an active role in the learning process by meeting course requirements as specified in the written syllabus.
An "active role" includes regular attendance.  I will regularly take attendance, but whether or not you choose to attend is entirely your choice. However, you should be aware that missing class will hinder you in meeting course requirements.  By failing to attend class, for whatever reason, you assume the responsibility of your choice.  Class attendance and participation will factor into a student's grade when they are on the borderline between two grades.

       The Student Code also states that it is your responsibility to "maintain academic ethics and avoid dishonesty in all its forms". No academic dishonesty will be tolerated in this course. The penalty for a first offense is an "F" for the assignment or exam. A second offense will result in a failing grade for the course and you will be reported to the Department Chair and Student Advising for further action. For more information on the Student Code and for definitions of what constitutes "academic dishonesty" please refer to the Student Rights and Responsibilities section of the College Catalog.

IV. Grading

        The grades for this course will be based upon 1) homework assignments, 2) two paper assignments, 3) a data collection assignment, 4) two quizzes, and 5) two examinations. Dates of these quizzes and examinations are listed on the following page. Dates of these quizzes and examinations are listed on the following page. The final exam is scheduled for:
Tuesday, December 14   7:00 AM - 9:00 AM

The weights of each of these items in the calculation of the course grade will be:

Homework Assignments   10%
Quizzes (2)   10% each
Data Collection/Papers   25% total
Midterm Exam   20%
Final Exam   25%


        There will be absolutely no make-up exams or quizzes without some official documentation of dire circumstances (ie. note from a doctor, your own obituary, etc) and the instructor should receive prior notice of these circumstances. The documentation you provide must be specific indicating your inability to be in class on the day of the quiz/exam.

There will be NO extra credit available for this course


V. Homework

        There will be regular homework assignments out of the Le Roy and Corbett text.  While individual homework assignments do not weigh heavily on the overall grade, they do perform the important function of familiarizing you with the material that will ultimately show up on quizzes and exams.  As such it is important for you to do these in a timely fashion.  Homework assignments that are due for the next class session will be announced each class.  These assignments will also be posted on the course WWW page.  Late homework will be penalized in a manner dependent upon how late it is.  Furthermore, since the homework is supposed to be an aid in studying for quizzes and exams, I will accept no homework handed in any later than the class period during which the quiz or exam covering that material is held.  [Consider yourself warned]


VI. Paper Assignments

        There will be 3 paper assignments during the course of the semester:
  1. Article Synopsis:   You will examine a journal article of your choice and identify its key component parts as outlined in the first section of the course.  Date Due:  October 7.
  2. Exit Poll Project: On Election Day (November 2) we will be participating in the gathering of public opinion data as part of KBYU Utah Colleges Exit Poll. You will be writing a brief paper about that experience.  Date Due:  November 23.
  3. Data Analysis:  You will develop and test a hypothesis of your own utilizing data included with the MicroCase package.  Date Due:  December 9.
        Plagiarism, presenting someone elses words or ideas as your own without attribution, is a serious violation of the Student Code and will be dealt with accordingly.

VII. Student Needs

        Students are invited to meet with me about any questions they may have about the class material during scheduled my office hours.  Not only are you invited ... you are strongly encouraged to do so!!  I realize how difficult this material can be for some students, so I make any effort I can to be of help to you.  If you have conflicts with scheduled office hours see me and we will make an attempt to make an appointment at another time convenient for the both of us.  I would also encourage you to anytime via e-mail at JDeSart@uvu.edu or via AOL Instant Messenger at screenname DrDeSart.

        Should any student experience a disability which might require special accommodations, the student is encouraged to contact the Accesibility Service Department [ASD], LC -312, (801) 863-8747, so that appropriate arrangements can be coordinated.  Special accomodations cannot be given unless and until the student has coordinated them with ASD.



VIII. Course Outline and Reading Assignments

PART Topic Readings
I        The Scientific Study of Politics C & L: Intro
Pollock: Intro
II        Elements of Social Scientific Inquiry
A.        Getting Started C & L: 1
B.        Concepts and Operationalizations
         1   Measurement, Reliability and Validity C & L: 2
Pollock: pp. 6-18
         2   Levels of Measurement and Units of Analysis C & L: 3
Pollock: pp. 18-23
C.        Variables C & L: 4
D.        Hypotheses and Research Designs C & L: 5
Pollock: 2
***First Exam (Tuesday, October 5)***
III        The Conduct of Research
A        Getting Your Hands Dirty
         1        Data Collection C & L: 6
Pollock: pp. 95-111
         2        Data Preparation and Entry C & L: 7
B        Univariate Statistics C & L: 8
Pollock: pp. 48-58
***First Quiz (Thursday, October 28)***
C        Analysis of Nominal and/or Ordinal Level Variables
         1        Interpreting Cross-Tabulations C & L: 9
Pollock: pp. 58-71
         2        Statistical Significance and
                         Measures of Association		 C & L: 10
Pollock: 6
         3        Introducing Control Variables C & L: 12
Pollock: 4
***Second Quiz (Tuesday, November 30)***
D       Analysis of Interval Level Variables C & L: 13
Pollock: 7
***Final Exam Tuesday, December 14  7:00 AM - 9:00 AM***