Course Description
-
Course Name
Dutch Politics and Qualitative Methods
-
Host University
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
-
Location
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
-
Area of Study
Political Science
-
Language Level
Taught In English
-
Course Level Recommendations
Lower
ISA offers course level recommendations in an effort to facilitate the determination of course levels by credential evaluators.We advice each institution to have their own credentials evaluator make the final decision regrading course levels.
-
ECTS Credits
6 -
Recommended U.S. Semester Credits3
-
Recommended U.S. Quarter Units4
Hours & Credits
-
Overview
COURSE OBJECTIVE
This course has two goals:
1) To deepen the students' knowledge and understanding of Dutch politics.
2) To enhance the students' skills in assessing and executing political science research, by making them familiar with some important
qualitative methods. Both objectives are closely related: students will study Dutch politics by means of qualitative research and they will learn about qualitative methods by applying them to issues in Dutch politics.COURSE CONTENT
Consensus democracy, constitutional monarchy, multicultural society, unified-yet-decentralized state, bicameral parliament, multiparty
system, proportional electoral system, loyal member of NATO, founding member of the EU - politically speaking, the Netherlands is a complex and fascinating case. This course will discuss some essential characteristics of the Dutch political system and pay attention to
influential current developments, such as the rise of populism, Europeanization, and 'glocalization'. These topics will be studied by
means of political scientific studies in which various qualitative methods have been used, such as (comparative) casestudy analysis
(including process tracing), document analysis, (expert) interviewing, and ethnography (including participative observations). We will discuss the theoretical background of these methods, but also the practical do’s and don’ts and pros and cons. Students will learn to understand and assess existing qualitative research and in the working group sessions they will practice the use of qualitative research methods themselves.TEACHING METHODS
- Lectures
- Working group sessionsTYPE OF ASSESSMENT
- Participation and assignments in seminars (20%)
- Writing assignment (30%)
- Exam (50%)RECOMMENDED BACKGROUND KNOWLEDGE
Academic Skills Workshops 1 & 2
Course Disclaimer
Courses and course hours of instruction are subject to change.
Some courses may require additional fees.