This course introduces students to the field of research. It examines the research process in depth and introduces doctoral candidates to the various aspects of doing scientific research, providing practical advice and insight in the field. Topics covered include hypothesis formulation and theory construction, data collection techniques, ethical issues in research, and research design.

Upon completion, participants will be able to distinguish amongst the different types of research, be aware of the tools used and their relative roles and reliability. Participants review the steps to be undertaken in the research design, writing, and in publishing the results. This is a very practical course aimed to guide participants through the work that lies ahead.

The Research Methodology and Design II course is divided in two parts, which will provide doctoral candidates with a solid foundation and valid framework to accomplish their research goals.

The first part of the course examines qualitative research and behavioral research. Topics covered include: criteria for valid and reliable research; advantages and disadvantages of different research strategies; electronic and paper tools for searching literature; research methods – observational, survey and experimental; general writing techniques and writing style; data analysis; and data presentation.

The second part of the course examines the fields of quantitative and econometric research. Topics covered include: scientific methods, cognitive guidelines, quantification and standardization in survey research and reconciling practical and scientific requirements for creating valid and unbiased surveys. It also examines research tools and applied econometrics. Topics include: regression analysis, estimation procedures, hypothesis testing, time series modeling, and forecasting.

The course permits learners to distinguish between the different methods of collecting data, analyzing data and the research techniques to be used for optimum results. A wide range of concepts and methods for observing, interviewing, recording and analyzing field data is covered, exposing the learner to quantitative and qualitative methods, and the ethical considerations in qualitative research practice. Furthermore the course provides a solid understanding of statistical tools used in empirical analysis enabling participants to develop solid analytical skills. Additional emphasis is placed on the process of rigorous formulation of research questions and design.

The module analyzes the nature of global capital today and its development trends. It discusses the role of government in the economy, the behaviour of the international sides involved, the structure of political–economic interests, the mediating effects of institutions, the conflict between classes and the distribution of wealth, inequality and globalization. Special attention will be given to the World Bank & the IMF and broader problems of global market governance.

This course presents a comprehensive overview and comparison of politics on an international level, examining different systems, their philosophies, impacts on a country, and the global economic and political scene. Learners examine the empirical, theoretical and normative foundations for understanding contemporary global politics; parliamentary systems, multi-party systems, one-party dominant systems, communist party dominated systems, and systems seeking to establish themselves. The course also deals with issues of achieving political change, maintaining power, relationships between economy and political systems, and other issues of statehood. Discussions include decisions of using force, defining the levels of analysis in international relations, and describing the major methodologies employed in this field. The course deals with decision making processes of international politics and an analysis of current international crises.

The purpose of this course is to review and discuss, in depth, the field and concepts of International Relations, to organize what is known and theorized about International Relations, and to convey the key concepts used by political scientists to discuss relations amongst nations.

This course conducts a critical analysis of the complexity of relations of the different legal systems, religions and traditions in the world and their relations to the state. Learners examine the different aspects of religion in education and family relations, as well as its roles within the state. Law is also examined from points of view of origination, perception of crime, and ethics.

This module is concerned with the many conceptual interdependencies of cultural evolution, economics, the law and social–philosophy. Emphasis is put on the leading thinkers, their main ideas and how their powerful insights led to different legal, political and economic ideals that continue to shape our culture. Not only the main controversial trains of thought that throughout history mutually influenced the legal framework and the economic actions of men: “the labor theory of value” and “the theory of subjective value” will be analyzed. An in–depth discussion of the controversial relationships between the various concepts of justice and freedom and the purpose of law, markets, public and private goods is also offered.