Interpretive Methods in Political Science (408-0-20)

Instructors

Michael Loriaux
847 491 2632
601 University Place, Scott Hall #235
Office Hours: http://www.polisci.northwestern.edu/people/core-faculty/michael-loriaux.html

Meeting Info

Scott Hall 107 Burdick Room: Thurs 2:00PM - 4:50PM

Overview of class

This course examines the specificity of narrative or historical "method" as it might apply to the social sciences. It begins by examining the conflicting claims to explain as advanced in favor of positivist testing or historicist recounting. It then examines the relation between the narrative and the archive that enables and justifies it. Finally, it examines several efforts to put the narrative to theoretical work.

Registration Requirements

Graduate students only
Attendance at first class required

Learning Objectives

This course examines the specificity of narrative or historical "method" as it might apply to the social sciences. It begins by examining the conflicting claims to explain as advanced in favor of positivist testing or historicist recounting. It then examines the relation between the narrative and the archive that enables and justifies it. Finally, it examines several efforts to put the narrative to theoretical work.

Teaching Method

seminar.

Evaluation Method

Seminar participation and a final paper on a topic chosen by the student and approved by the instructor.

Class Materials (Required)

Karl Popper, The Poverty of Historicism

Robert d’Amico, Historicism and Knowledge

Thomas Kuhn, The Structure of Scientific Revolutions

Larry Laudan, Beyond Positivism and Relativism,

Mary Hesse, "Theory and Value in the Social Sciences," in Hookway and Pettit, Action and Interpretation

Peter Winch, The Idea of a Social Science and Its Relation to Philosophy, chs. 1, 3, 5. (Canvas)

Paul Ricœur, Hermeneutics and the Human Sciences, chs. 1, 4, 7.

Jean Grondin, Introduction to Philosophical Hermeneutics, chs. 5, 6.,

Martha C. Howell, From Reliable Sources: An Introduction to Historical Methods

Ferdinand de Saussure, "Nature of the Linguistic Sign," Pt. I, ch. 1, Pt. II ch. 4

Jacques Derrida, "Differance."

Jacques Derrida, The Monolingualism of the Other.,

Georg Iggers, Historiography in the Twentieth Century: From Scientific Objectivity to the Postmodern Challenge

Enrollment Requirements

Enrollment Requirements: Reserved for Graduate Students.