LFU:online

The aim of this course is to provide an overview over methodological positions in the social sciences and their implications for conducting research. By the end of the course students will

• have a profound overview over basic methodological alternatives in the social sciences;
• be able to reflect on the implications of these methodological alternatives on research; and
• have developed an own preferred methodological position vis-á-vis their own doctoral research projects.

In the course students will

• be introduced to basic methodological alternatives in the social sciences;
• work with social theories from these different methodological paradoigms; and
• discuss examples of research papers drawing on the respective methodologes and theories.

Basic readings in methodology and related social theories; studying and analyzing research papers; term papers; discussions.

One group presentation of a social sciences approach and related handout (40%); analyzing two examples of research papers (30%); one individual reflection paper on implications for own doctoral research (30%).

Basic reading:
Baert, P. (2005). Philosophy of the social sciences: Towards pragmatism. Cambridge: Polity Press.

lt. Curricual