Laboratory: Concepts and Methods in International Relations
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
The overall objective of the course is to introduce students to research in International Relations, by focusing on both quantitative and qualitative approaches. Throughout the course, students will familiarize with some of the key concepts in International Relations and with the main components of an effective research design; then they will learn some basic principles of statistical analysis as well as of qualitative process tracing and archival research, and see how these skills have been applied to fundamental research questions in the literature; finally, they will have the chance to practise these skills by participating to a collective research project, which incorporates both qualitative and quantitative research methods seen in previous classes. No previous knowledge of qualitative techniques and statistical analysis is required.
Expected learning outcomes
Students are expected to possess the fundamental toolkit to theoretically and critically engage with concepts and ideas in the discipline of International Relations as well as the proper knowledge to independently conduct empirical research. The laboratory finally aims at providing students with basic tools to formulate a research question and to properly develop the research design for their final dissertation.
Lesson period: Third trimester
Assessment methods: Giudizio di approvazione
Assessment result: superato/non superato
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Third trimester
Course syllabus
The course is divided into two parts. The first part addresses several foundational IR concepts, encouraging students to critically examine the intellectual building blocks upon which the discipline is constructed and represented. This section engages with the epistemological assumptions and the key methodological tenets that underpin the study of international political thought, trying to highlight the risks of anachronism and presentism implicit in the study of the history of ideas and concepts. Concepts such as 'anarchy', 'enmity', and 'society' are analysed through a critical and genealogical lens, highlighting their historical and contextual situatedness. The second part of the course focuses on the core elements of research design in IR, with a minor on space analysis and geopolitics. It introduces major research methods and techniques employed in the field, covering both qualitative and quantitative approaches. Students will explore how these methods have been applied to key research questions in the IR literature. Finally, students will be challenged to apply these concepts and methods by developing an original research proposal that reflects the structure of a formal academic project. This hands-on component guides students through the process of formulating and organizing a research proposal.
Prerequisites for admission
No prior knowledge of qualitative methods or statistical analysis is required.
Teaching methods
This laboratory is an elective course worth 3 ECTS (20 hours in total) and is structured over 10 class sessions, including an introductory session at the beginning and a final wrap-up session. This structure enables students to both acquire knowledge and engage in critical dialogue. It is held by two instructor, one for the first and the other for the second part. The laboratory aims to equip students with the basic tools needed to formulate a research question and design the research framework for their final dissertation.
Teaching Resources
Course materials include mandatory readings (available beforehand online), lecture slides, and additional resources such as datasets, maps, software and primary sources (provided by the instructor in class). In the first part of the course, students are expected to complete assigned readings prior to each session in order to participate actively in seminar discussions. A list of supplementary and recommended readings will also be provided for each class. In the second part, relevant sources and datasets will be distributed during the sessions.
Assessment methods and Criteria
For the final assessment, students may choose between writing a short academic essay on a topic agreed upon with the instructor or developing a structured research proposal that reflects the key components of an academic research project.
SPS/04 - POLITICAL SCIENCE - University credits: 3
Laboratories: 20 hours
Professor:
Colombo Alessandro
Professor(s)