Topic 1: Introduction of Political Science (learning hrs:3; preparation hrs: 8)

Politics and Political Science. Roskin ch.1.

Topic 1-1: Guest Speaker- Dr. Jerry Lin

Topic 2: Knowledge, Science, and the Social Sciences (learning hrs:3; preparation hrs: 8)

King, Keohane, and Verba ch.2. 

Babbie ch.1.

D. C. Phillips. 2000. Expanded Social Scientist's Bestiary. Preface.

Topic 3: How to Write a Good Abstract and Question (learning hrs:3; preparation hrs: 8)

Wayne C. Booth, Gregory G. Colombo. 2008. ch.3,4,5

Topic 4: Research Seminar I

Conference Seminar I

Topic 5: Research Design I-Theories, Models, and Hypotheses- Developing Research Questions (learning hrs:3; preparation hrs: 8)

King, Keohan, and Verba ch.3. 

Babbie ch.2,3,4; Roskin ch.2.

Topic 6: Research Design II-Conceptualization, Operationalization, and Measurement (learning hrs:3; preparation hrs: 8)

King, Keohan, and Verba ch.4. 

Babbie ch5. Roskin ch.1. 

Topic 7: How to Write a Good Argument and Literature Review (learning hrs:3; preparation hrs: 8)

Wayne C. Booth, Gregory G. Colombo. 2008. ch.7,8,9

Topic 8: Research Semniar II

Conference seminar II

Topic 9: Research Design III-Observation, Units of Analysis, and Issues of Case Selection (learning hrs:3; preparation hrs: 8)

RSK ch.1. Babbie ch.7. 

Topic 10: How to Prepare Your References and Conclusions (learning hrs:3; preparation hrs: 8)

Wayne C. Booth, Gregory G. Colombo. 2008. ch.14

Topic 11: Basic Quantitative Analysis I (learning hrs:3; preparation hrs: 8)

Hamilton. STATA and STATA Resources 

Topic 12: Basic Quantitative Analysis II  (learning hrs:3; preparation hrs: 8)

 Hamilton. STATA and STATA Resources 

Final Presentation & Discussion

• Dora Wu 

1. In-class Participation(10\%): Students are expected to prepare relevant material beforehand and actively participate in class discussions and debates.

2. Draft a research proposal (1-2 pages) (10\%): The assignment will assess the students' ability to identify an appropriate research topic that can realistically be explored. 

3. Summarise an argument (1-2 pages) (30\%): The assignment will assess the students' ability to express themselves in a clear and comprehensible way. 

4. Design a research paper and justify the design (7 pages) (40%).  

5. STATA Homeworks (10%)

1. Earl Babbie. 2013. The Practice of Social Research, 13 ed, Wadsworth-Cengage.


2. Lawrence C. Hamilton. 2006. Statistics with STATA. 9 ed. Thomson


3. Wayne C. Booth, Gregory G. Colombo. 2008. The Craft of Research, (Third Edition), University of Chicago Press.