Registration does not begin until 02.10.2026 at 08:00. It ends on 12.10.2026 at 23:59.

The registration is restricted to the following fields or courses of study:

• Leuphana Bachelor / Major Politikwissenschaft (ab Studienbeginn WiSe 24/25) / alle Semester
• Leuphana Bachelor / Major Politikwissenschaft (bis Studienbeginn WiSe 23/24) / alle Semester
• Leuphana Bachelor / Major Studium Individuale / alle Semester
• Leuphana Bachelor / Minor Studium Individuale / alle Semester

This course focuses on evaluating and conducting rigorous, epistemologically plural qualitative research, with an emphasis on practical application. It introduces key concepts and methods, such as case studies, interviews, ethnography, process tracing, and content analysis, and demonstrates their practical use. The goal is to equip students to be smart consumers and users of qualitative methods in their own studies, reading and theses.

Each class is separated into two parts -- each 90 minutes long, meaning the seminar will go for only half of the term, but with double units. In the first part of each class, we discuss the theory and concepts of a particular method. The seminar applies these methods across a variety of issue areas, including statehood, democracy, and empire.

In the second part, students will have to apply the method pratically -- meaning doing ethnography, an interview or a content analysis themselves. The seminar encourages exchange and collaboration among students through discussions, presentations, and other creative forms of engagement.

The course adopts a portfolio system and students have to write two short essays in which they analyse data they collected themselves using two different methods from the course.

This course introduces students to qualitative methods and gives students space to actually practice them. At the end of the course, students will be able (1) to understand different approaches to epistemology and methodology; (2) to critically assess existing methodological approaches to (the study of) political science; (3) to understand the relation between research question and research method; and (4) to use one or several qualitative methods for their own research projects.

Further information on teaching evaluation: https://www.leuphana.de/en/teaching/quality-management/evaluation/course-evaluation.html