Objective and attainment level

Objective

The pre-Master's course in Political Science is designed to bring students with diverse backgrounds up to the level (both in terms of academic skills and in terms of substantive knowledge of political science) needed for successful participation in the Master in Political Science at the VU. Students will first be made familiar with the basic concepts and key theories of comparative politics and international relations. They will also be trained in the basic methods and techniques necessary to undertake research in political science. They will finally be trained to acquire an academic attitude.

Attainment level

The student completing the pre-Master's course programme in Political Science has acquired a basic knowledge of and insight into:

• the central political phenomenon of the regulation of societal conflicts by the state or by (partly) private institutions;
• the process of increasing globalization of the public domain;
• the most important theories of contemporary political science, in particular of general and comparative politics and of international relations;
• methods and techniques of social science research, in particular those that are important for political science research.

S/he is able to:

• analyse and interpret political data;
• assess the reliability, validity and applicability of political science research results;
• relate political science knowledge and insights to contemporary social issues;
• report orally and in writing in a clear way on political science knowledge.

S/he will manifest:

• interest in the causes and background of political phenomena;
• a critical attitude towards political science literature and towards current opinions regarding political life;
• intellectual integrity and readiness to be self-critical.