POLIS 3106 - Public Policy Research Project

This capstone course for the major in Politics and International Relations introduces students to structured academic research methods and practice in selected areas of International Studies. First, it aims at developing students' advanced research skills through the examination of research methodologies and academic writing skills, as well as the exploration of ethical and intercultural issues that may arise in the course of a scholarly research. Second, it engages students in critical discussions regarding research methods and conceptual approaches through four case studies: invited academics will share with students their research skills by presenting their own research projects, including these projects' design, methodology, theoretical framework and larger significance. Third, during the second part of the course, students will undertake a significant research project on a self-chosen topic and, at the end of the course, join a student conference in order to present and discuss their research findings to and with their classmates.