Vorlesung Lecture Advanced Political Science Research Methods

There is increasing trend in research studies which explicitly point to the social contextualization of economics as well as finance and global financial markets. These studies argue that finance does not work without rituals, rules, and symbols. They emphasize the importance of trust, cooperation, and herd behaviour in financial markets. What is more, they see mathematical equations, economic models, and calculation techniques as not merely describing, but also constituting, financial transactions. The expectations of market actors are crucial in shaping the market, as Keynes has already observed. This route of research implies the necessity to comprehend the social and political dimension of seemingly technical processes and instruments such as the evaluation of financial products and derivatives, or the dynamics of price formation on capital and goods markets, or the securitization of mortgage debt. The research seminar will observe different dimensions of global finance. Small groups (up to three persons each) will select a topic, develop a research question, a research design and analyse documents and data. Techniques to be introduced to and practiced are: various forms of qualitative data analysis based on discourse theory, methods of retroduction and logics of critical explanation. The syllabus depends on the way the projects develop and is subject to changes. The participants will document their research process in a research diary (only GPEs have to turn it in). They will present the results and the research process at the end of the course in the Tuesday lecture. -> This course can only be taken in combination with the lecture on Advanced Political Science Research Methods (Joscha Wullweber, Tue 10-12, starting Oct 13). Basic literature: Glynos, Jason/ Howarth, David R. (2007): Logics of Critical Explanation in Social and Political Theory, London: Routledge. Howarth, David/ Torfing, Jacob (2005): Discourse Theory in European Politics: Identity, Policy and Governance, Basingstoke, Hampshire: Palgrave Macmillan. Laclau, Ernesto/ Mouffe, Chantal (1985): Hegemony and Socialist Strategy: Towards a Radical Democratic Politics, London/ New York: Verso. FB 05 Gesellschaftswissenschaften Uni Kassel WiSe 2015/16 Global Political Economy Dr. Wullweber Joscha