2023/2024![Learning Objectives](/f/src/global/i/edu/objectives.svg)
![Expected Learning Outcomes](/f/src/global/i/edu/results.svg)
![Course Contents](/f/src/global/i/edu/sections.svg)
![Assessment Elements](/f/src/global/i/edu/controls.svg)
![Interim Assessment](/f/src/global/i/edu/intermediate_certification.svg)
![Bibliography](/f/src/global/i/edu/library.svg)
Approaches to Comparative Social Research
Language:
English
ECTS credits:
6
Contact hours:
40
Course Syllabus
Abstract
The ability to compare effectively involves the ability to be clearheaded about what is to be compared. Questions regarding the “unit of analysis/comparison” are therefore at the center of any comparative endeavor in sociology and the social sciences more generally. These questions are approached in this course primarily from a meta-theoretical vantage point. Accordingly, we will focus not so much on “what is compared” as on “what sort of thing is compared” and on “how to go about comparing it.”
This course is designed to be a broad orientation to the different methodologies featured in the program in International Master in Comparative Social Research. The goal at hand is to strengthen whatever weaknesses the course attendees may have on the topic and to improve their ability to become, down the road, intelligent about methodology as well as proficient.
Learning Objectives
- to study seminal texts in comparative social research
- to learn basic concepts of comparative social research
- to be able to construct productive research questions using approaches of comparative sociology
- to learn to build comparative research designs in comparative social research
- to be able to distinguish and apply various social data to comparative research questions
- to learn to criticize and evaluate the quality of outcome of different forms of comparison
Expected Learning Outcomes
- be able to meaningfully construct comparative research questions
- understand basic principles of comparative social research
- be able to criticize comparative studies
- model comparative research designs in comparative social research
Course Contents
- Introduction
- Two Programs of Comparative Social Research
- Conceptionalizing Types of Comparison
- Variables and Cases in Comparative Research Designs
- Empirical Cross-national Comparative Research
- Issues of Qualitative Comparative Research
- Case-Orientated & Small N Comparison
- Central Issues of Comparative Social Analysis I
- Central Issues of Comparative Social Analysis II
- Central Issues of Comparative Social Analysis III
Assessment Elements
- TestAt the beginning of each session (except the first), a short multiple-choice test will be conducted on the basis of the readings for the respective session. The grade for this assignment will be compiled from the results of the best of 8 out of 9 tests (thus, one pass of participation in the testing will be allowed)
- Position PaperA position paper is a ca. one-two pages long text (single-spaced, font size 12) of ca. 800 words, which conveys a student’s individual position on a particular paper from the reading list. The position paper is written on one text of choice and has to be submitted at the latest before (!) the respective session, where this paper is going to be discussed, starts. The positions paper should contain a short summary of the read and to be discussed text (max. 50% of the position paper’s length). In addition, and foremost (!), the paper should develop (an) own idea(s) and critique in reaction to the text on the basis of own additional readings, own research experience, own knowledge, etc..
- Class PresentationEach student should present a short introduction into the main thoughts of one text of choice. This text should NOT be the same text, the student is basing his/her position paper on! The presentation should not be longer than 10 min and should use visual aids. At the end, the presentation should pose one-two critical questions based on the reading for general class discussion.
- Final EssayThe final essay should not exceed max. 5 pages and should not be longer than 2500 words (single-spaced, font size 12). The essay poses two tasks: task 1: develop a topic for an empirical comparative research project task 2: develop a research design under usage of and reference to concepts of comparative social research from the course readings The essay should describe a topic for a comparative social research project and address a research question. Furthermore, an appropriate (!) research design should be developed, including a case selection strategy (what is a case?) and the form of comparison envisioned. Finally, some remarks should describe a possible explanatory model, the main concepts and an analytical strategy. This assignment should be understood as a chance to try out an idea for a possible MA diploma research project.
Interim Assessment
- 2023/2024 3rd module0.2 * Class Presentation + 0.3 * Final Essay + 0.2 * Position Paper + 0.3 * Test
Bibliography
Recommended Core Bibliography
- Blyton, P. (2001). The General and the Particular in Cross-National Comparative Research. Applied Psychology: An International Review, 50(4), 590–595. https://doi.org/10.1111/1464-0597.00074
- Font, J., della Porta, D., & Sintomer, Y. (2012). Presentation. Methodological challenges in participation research. Revista Internacional de Sociología, (Extra_2), 9. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsdoj&AN=edsdoj.800e74344fc48fa94f8da80b7c6579b
- Lieberson, S. (1991). Small N’s and Big Conclusions: An Examination of the Reasoning in Comparative Studies Based on a Small Number of Cases. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsbas&AN=edsbas.5ACBF27C
- Lijphart, A. (2011). Democratic Quality in Stable Democracies. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsbas&AN=edsbas.A9BD1B40
- Smelser, N. J. (1994). Sociological theories. International Social Science Journal, 46(139), 1. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=sih&AN=9504100912
- Soskice, D. (2005). Varieties of Capitalism and Cross-National Gender Differences. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsbas&AN=edsbas.CAFCCDD2
- Tilly, C. (DE-588)121677117, (DE-576)163318476, 1929-2008. (2007). Democracy / Charles Tilly. Cambridge [u.a.]: Cambridge Univ. Press. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edswao&AN=edswao.263615383
- Wiseman, A. W., & Popov, N. (2015). Comparative Science : Interdisciplinary Approaches (Vol. First edition). Bingley, England: Emerald Group Publishing Limited. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=993133
Recommended Additional Bibliography
- Crawford, B., & Lijphart, A. (1997). Liberalization and Leninist Legacies: Comparative Perspectives on Democratic Transitions. United States, North America: eScholarship, University of California. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsbas&AN=edsbas.DB007F5
- Hall, T. D. (2017). Comparing Globalizations : Historical and World-Systems Approaches. Cham: Springer. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=1636710
- Iversen, T., & Soskice, D. (2005). Electoral institutions, parties, and the politics of class: Why some democracies redistribute more than others. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsbas&AN=edsbas.65DCFAFA
- Kucera, D. (2007). Qualitative Indicators of Labour Standards : Comparative Methods and Applications. Dordrecht: Springer. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=196760
- Rainer Bauböck, Donatella Della Porta, Ignacio Lago, & Camil Ungureanu. (2012). What methodological “wars” methodological pluralism? Revista Española de Ciencia Política, (29), 11. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsdoj&AN=edsdoj.2385852644e540ab804dd172189cabdd
- Stroschein, S. (2004). From Contention to Coexistence in Local Politics: Mixed Cities in Central Europe. Conference Papers —— American Political Science Association, 1–34. https://doi.org/apsa_proceeding_29943.PDF
- Tilly, C. (1998). Democratization. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edssch&AN=edssch.oai%3aescholarship.org%2fark%3a%2f13030%2fqt98t901j5