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This course builds on the elementary knowledge of social research, political science and statistics provided in the first year of the degree programme. It is designed to provide students with a grounding in theories, methodologies, methods and the processes of empirical political analysis. Primary emphasis will be placed on developing a basic understanding of the philosophy and the logic underlying social-scientific inquiry, and appropriate research strategies, both quantitative and qualitative.

This course will lay the foundations for the study of the politics of industrial societies, with a focus on North America and Western Europe. It will look at the emergence of liberal democracy, and the practice of politics in industrial societies including political parties, elections, electoral systems and the media.