15021

Methods in Political Theory

Rouven Symank

Kommentar

Political theory examines the ideas and values—such as justice, freedom, and power—that shape political life and inform how we understand, justify, and critique political institutions and practices. While the field has traditionally engaged in limited explicit methodological reflection, it now draws on a wide range of frameworks—from normative, contextualist, and genealogical approaches to comparative analysis, conceptual engineering, and qualitative methods such as ethnography and interviews. This seminar introduces key methodological frameworks and explores how they influence the questions we ask, the types of evidence we consider, and the conclusions we draw. It equips students to approach both empirical and theoretical questions methodologically and apply analytical tools to contemporary political challenges, including digital governance and democratic legitimacy. Rather than treating method as an afterthought, the course emphasizes how methodological choices shape theoretical arguments and analytical outcomes. The seminar provides a structured opportunity to develop methodological reasoning and analytical skills—capacities essential in both academic and professional settings. No prior background in political theory is required. Indicative Reading • Dryzek, John S., Bonnie Honig, and Anne Phillips, eds. 2008. The Oxford Handbook of Political Theory. Oxford: Oxford University Press. • Leopold, David, and Marc Stears, eds. 2008. Political Theory: Methods and Approaches. Oxford: Oxford University Press. • Blau, Adrian, ed. 2017. Methods in Analytical Political Theory. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. • Floyd, Jonathan. 2019. What’s the Point of Political Philosophy? Cambridge/Medford, MA: Polity Press. Schließen

11 Termine

Regelmäßige Termine der Lehrveranstaltung

Do, 12:00 - 14:00 11 Termine

Do, 17.04.2025 12:00 - 14:00

Dozenten:
Dr. Rouven Symank