This course surveys qualitative methods used in political research. The course will be divided into three parts. The first part will explore the broad questions of research ethics, interpretive, and positive approaches to the work of researching politics and critical issues in the philosophy of science. The second part will deal with specific issues in political research including research design, case selection, interviewing, ethnography, focus group discussions, and archival research. The final segment of the course will cover the cross-cutting issues of lies and deception in the "field" and research in challenging terrains and during difficult times.