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SYLLABUS

Method and Methodology, 7 ECTS Credits

COURSE CATEGORY   Master´s Programme in Child Studies MAIN FIELD OF STUDY   Child studies - BRA SUBJECT AREA     COURSE CODE   736A12

AIM OF THE COURSE

Having completed the course, the student should be able to - use knowledge about the core issues and problems tied to different theoretical and methodological perspectives within social scientific research, - display a broad orientation about the place of method and methodology within the tradition of social science research, - reflect on the theoretical foundations for social scientific research and further critically examine and evaluate different theoretical perspectives, - display awareness about the role of method in general, as well as displaying understanding of cross-disciplinary use of method and critical awareness of different methodological traditions.

CONTENTS

The course consists of two parts. The first part will treat topics such as history of science, philosophy of science, theoretical concepts and definitions, the researcher’s perspective (paradigmatic traditions), ontological and epistemological traditions and their consequences for the research practice, the question of objectivity, different values and standpoint perspectives and issues of correlation and causal explanations. The second part of the course will focus on research method and will involve issues such as choice of method, selection and collection of material (of what, where and how), qualitative data in relation to quantitative, open in relation to closed and primary in relation to secondary material. Other issues that will be touched upon in this part involve the character of the material: talk, behaviour, text, objects/artefacts, register data, statistic material etc. Differences between various ways of compilation, analysis and interpretation will also be discussed.

TEACHING

The instruction methods will include lectures for overviews of the readings combined with teacher-led seminars and discussions on the Internet as well as individual comments on written assignments. Guiding students in searching and finding relevant literature is also part of the instruction methods of this course. The Internet based format of the course requires a high degree of self-activity from students. Students will be expected to take an active part in their learning experience and to be able to work independently as well as in pairs or groups with other students. Students will also be given the opportunity to practice their methodological skills. Language of instruction: English.

EXAMINATION

Each course module is concluded with a compulsory assignment. Each of these assignments must be completed and approved before students can receive their credits for the course. The assignment forms of this course include written essays, reviews of literature, oppositions of the work of other students and considerations of particular course related questions in a discussion forum. As a final examination, students will be required to submit a longer essay on the course topic which may involve the implementation of one or several of the research methods and perspectives touched upon in this course. Students failing an exam covering either the entire course or part of the course two times are entitled to have a new examiner appointed for the reexamination. Students who have passed an examination may not retake it in order to improve their grades.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

A bachelor’s degree (kandidatexamen) of at least 180 ECTS credits, including a 15 ECTS credit degree paper or equivalent, and 1. In-depth studies of at least one year in a field relevant to the programme, including a degree thesis or final paper (equivalent). Relevant fields for in-depth studies are anthropology, education, history, communication studies, language studies, psychology, sociology and political science. 2. Documented knowledge of English equivalent to "Engelska B"; i.e. English as native language or an internationally recognized test, e.g. TOEFL (minimum scores: Paperbased 550 + TWE-score 4.0, computorbased 213 and internetbased 79), IELTS, academic (minimum score: Overall band 6.0 and no band under 5.0), or equivalent.

GRADING

The course is graded according to the ECTS grading scale A-F

CERTIFICATE

Course certificate is issued by the Faculty Board on request. The Department provides a special form which should be submitted to the Student Affairs Division.

COURSE LITERATURE

The course literature is decided upon by the department in question.

OTHER INFORMATION

Planning and implementation of a course must take its starting point in the wording of the syllabus. The course evaluation included in each course must therefore take up the question how well the course agrees with the syllabus. The course is carried out in such a way that both men´s and women´s experience and knowledge is made visible and developed.

Method and Methodology Method and methodology   Department responsible for the course or equivalent: TEMA - The Tema Institute             Registrar No: 1322/06-41   Course Code: 736A12           Exam codes: see Local Computer System       Subject/Subject Area : Child studies - BRA                       Level   Education level     Subject Area Code   Field of Education   A1X   Advanced level     BRA   SA   The syllabus was approved by the Board of Faculty of Arts and Science 2008-09-10