Approved by Faculty Senate.

 

University Studies Course Proposal Form

1. Department or Program Political Science and Public Administration

2. Course Number 410

3. Semester Hours 3

4. Frequency of Offering Once Annually

5. Course Title Political Research II – Primary

6. Catalog Description

Capstone experience that allows students to do original primary research using the various primary research tools and approaches used in the study of political phenomena and processes. Emphasis is based on problem-solving and critical thinking. Students have a capstone experience in which they apply knowledge gained in this and other courses to an original research problem. Survey research techniques are studied and a practical survey project is undertaken.

7. This is an existing course previously approved by A2C2 Yes

8. This is a new course proposal No

9. University Studies Requirement this course would satisfy Critical Analysis Flag

10. Department Contact Person for this course Yogesh Grover – 457-5415 ygrover@winona.edu

11. General Course Outcomes

This course is designed to acquaint and train students in various analytical tools used by political scientists. Special emphasis is placed on decision-making models and on survey research techniques, analysis of survey data, and the "final product."

12. Course Outcomes

    1. Recognize and evaluate appropriate evidence to advance a claim

      2. Students who have completed a secondary research course will be required to apply their acquired analytical skills to primary research situations. Among the topics studied in class are the different decision-making models. Students will be given situational problems and will be required to evaluate all available evidence to advance "solutions" to their problems.

    2. Apply critical analytical skills in making decisions or in advancing a theoretical position

      3. Students will design, implement and analyze a survey research dealing with one of the community’s current problems. They will make decisions regarding which sub-topics to cover and which questions to include in the survey instrument, how to draw up a sample from the population, who should be in the sample, which statistical tools to use to analyze the collected data, and how to go about the analysis itself.

    3. Evaluate alternative arguments, decision strategies, or theories within a systematic framework

After collecting the survey data, students will evaluate the statistical information and draw conclusions. They will make policy recommendations based on their findings after comparing their conclusions with similar studies undertake elsewhere. Students will be required to take into account the consequences of their recommendations on those directly and/or indirectly affected by their findings.