LFU:online

Curr. 2021 § 5 (1) 13: Students acquire the ability to individually plan (research and study design, research hypoth-eses or heuristics, survey and evaluation procedure) and implement (data collection and eval-uation as well as result presentation) an empirical sociological research project as well as to relate theory, methodology and empirical research.

In the course of the 2-semester class, the students will conduct an empirical, sociological project that addresses questions concretized by participants (in small groups) related to the research area of law and society. Students work together in small groups on self-chosen sub-topics. The first semester focuses on the identification of concrete (literature-based) research-topics and the development of a research design. Specific thematic as well as methodological decisions will be discussed on the basis of the contribution of the small groups. Choices of methods follow the unique requirements of the research field – possible quantitative projects should be preceded by qualitative exploration. Not only should participants be enabled to carry out a research project but also to jointly reflect on progress and setbacks of the process. In addition, own positions and pre-suppositions will be explicated and reflected. Moreover, understandings of “the law” should be broadened, the relevance of law in everyday life as well as the relationship of law and/in society will be discussed.

Short Inputs, common readings and discussion of theoretical as well as methodological literature, work in small groups, literature memos, presentations, contributions in discussion boards, field diaries, research report   

Assessment criteria:
(a) active participation and presence in class (also virtual classes as well as discussion boards)
(b) (Preparation of) readings
(c) diary entries
(d) documentation and argumentation of the research process of the small groups (presentations, handouts, research report / research design)

Will be announced in class.

successful completion of compulsory modules 4 and 5

Willingness to deal with English-language texts is a prerequisite.