Duration
30h Th, 15h Pr
Number of credits
| Bachelor in political sciences : general | 5 crédits |
Lecturer
Language(s) of instruction
French language
Organisation and examination
Teaching in the first semester, review in January
Schedule
Units courses prerequisite and corequisite
Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program
Learning unit contents
The way we know and understand the world is inseparable from the way we report on it. What distinguishes scientific knowledge from other modes of knowledge? How can we think about scientific methods and their power to describe, but also to shape and structure social realities? The objective of the course is to distinguish the different ways of doing science and the conditions of production of a scientific fact.
This course aims to acquire the basic principles of research in political science, based on a mainly qualitative approach. The course prepares students to elaborate, conduct and present the results of their future research projects (in their university course but also in their professional context).
Learning outcomes of the learning unit
By the end of the course, the students will be able to carry out a rigorous and empirically based analysis of social and political phenomena. For that purpose, students are expected to :
- Define and describe the terms and concepts deployed in the different parts of the course;
- Understand and identify the different epistemological reasoning raised in the course;
- Criticise and justify a research question;
- Define and describe the research methods in political science, but also identify these in the context of field research;
- Assess the relevance of the techniques in light of a given issue and situation;
- Distance themselves critically and analytically from the information collected.
Prerequisite knowledge and skills
Co-requisite :
SPOL2331-1 Analysis of public policies (theory)- Celine Parotte
Planned learning activities and teaching methods
This course is divided into two learning modules designed to develop both theoretical and practical skills simultaneously.
Learning Activities for Module 1: understand and apply
Each week, students prepare and read the day's theoretical chapter from the edited volume by Parotte (2025), "Qualitative Research Methods. Reflective Approaches and Practices in Political and Social Sciences."
Following a brief lecture by the Professor on the theoretical principles, students work in pairs on practical case studies before completing that day's assessment question on ecampus during the session.
Learning Activities for Module 2: apply and experiment
The learning activities for Module 2 are specifically designed as community service projects. This year, the theme being explored in collaboration with the B3 - Bibliothèque encyclopédique de la Province de Liège, l'Atelier 04 et les Territoires de la mémoire, focuses on matrimoine and the (in)visibility of women within the Liège territory;
Students will contribute to the Encyclopédie des femmes, a project initiated and carried out in collaboration with the Bibliothèque Encyclopédique de Liège - B3, l'Atelier 04 et les Territoires de la mémoire https://lesateliers04.be/encyclopedie-de-femmes/
Four sessions of Module 2 are mandatory. Any absence must be justified within 48 hours to be sent to Ms. Dodion.
Absence from the sessions on 10/12, 12/7, and 12/14 automatically results in the student being placed in the second session:
- September 28: Explore a theme and formulate a research question / Exploratory urban walk-surveying the City of Liège in collaboration with les Territoires de la mémoire and Atelier 04.
- October 12: Collecting and producing data / Bibliographic research on "matrimoine" in collaboration with the Encyclopedic Library of Liège - B3 and the Graulich Library
- December 7: Scientific writing / Presenting your results in a different way. Workshop conducted in collaboration with les Territoires de la mémoire, Atelier 04, and the Encyclopedic Library of Liège - B3.
- December 14: Defending one's scholarly work / Presenting results.
Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)
Face-to-face course
Additional information:
Face-to-face.
Course materials and recommended or required readings
Platform(s) used for course materials:
- eCampus
Further information:
Platform(s) used for course materials:
- eCampus
Further information:
Book (available at the Presses Universitaires de Liège):
Parotte (Dir. 2025), Méthodologie de recherche qualitative. Approches et pratiques réflexives en sciences politiques et sociales, Presses Universitaires de Liège, Liège, 367p.
--> available to students at the Presses, whose chapters must be read before the session (see introductory session schedule)
Other recommended reading (considered as a pre-requis):
- Van Campenoudt L. et Quivy R., 2017, Manuel de recherche en sciences sociales, Paris: Dunod
Exam(s) in session
Any session
- In-person
written exam
Continuous assessment
Further information:
Written work / report
Continuous assessment
Out-of-session test(s)
Further information:
Continuous assessment throughout the year: This course is assessed continuously throughout the four-month term. These assessment activities are not dispensatory in that they replace the written/oral examination in the first session.??There are two assessment activities. Each of them is set up throughout the year to test the student's acquisition of effective skills (knowledge and know-how), either individually or collectively.??
Module 1/ Continuous assessment of 5 theory sessions: 50% of the final grade.??Five sessions focus on essential theoretical elements to be acquired as part of the 'political science methodology' course.??
To prepare for this assessment, students must have read the associated theoretical chapter and the additional reading prior to the session.??To prepare for the assessment at the end of the session: a Q/A session is organised beforehand, a theoretical reminder of the essentials of the day's session followed by one or more practical exercises.??At the end of the session, the student answers a theoretical application question related to the day's session. They submit their proposed answers to a peer for discussion. The student is then required to enter his/her answer electronically on ecampus individually on the same day before 18:00.?
Module 2/Practical written work: implementation, transcription, theoretical and reflective analysis (coding) of a qualitative method: 50% of the final grade
Actively participate in experimenting with a qualitative method individually and in: 50% of the final grade.
* Preparation for the method through a reading list and class sessions.
* Report & full transcript of discussions and reflections
* Uploading of the interview to Corpus (free software provided by the Faculty to students) and thematic coding according to the principles of Braun and Clarke (2006)
* Evaluation of the thematic analysis of the method and critical feedback.
* Submission of work in December 2026 (exact date to be confirmed).
Work placement(s)
Organisational remarks and main changes to the course
- Failure to attend a module will automatically result in a second session.
- Attendance is compulsory for 4 sessions of module 2. Any absence must be justified by a medical certificate within 48 hours, to be sent to Mrs Dodion.
- September 28: Explore a theme and formulate a research question / Exploratory urban walk-surveying the City of Liège in collaboration with les Territoires de la mémoire and Atelier 04.
- October 12: Collecting and producing data / Bibliographic research on "matrimoine" in collaboration with the Encyclopedic Library of Liège - B3 and the Graulich Library
- December 7: Scientific writing / Presenting your results in a different way. Workshop conducted in collaboration with les Territoires de la mémoire, Atelier 04, and the Encyclopedic Library of Liège - B3.
- December 14: Defending one's scholarly work / Presenting results.
Contacts
Lecturer : Céline Parotte (celine.parotte@uliege.be)
Research and Teaching Assistant: Hélène Dodion (helene.dodion@uliege.be)
Teaching assistant : Lou Van Wambeke (lou.vanwambeke@student.uliege.be)
Association of one or more MOOCs
There is no MOOC associated with this course.