Conceptual and Methodological Foundations of Qualitative Research

This course introduces students to the shared principles and varied approaches to qualitative research theory and methods in the social sciences. The course presents the foundations of diverse qualitative research methodologies in terms of their epistemologies, practices, and contributions. Presentations by faculty members illustrate the range of traditions of qualitative methods presented by faculty actively using the approach and thus able to share it and reflect on it critically as well as practically. Faculty coordinating and guiding the course invite colleagues teaching qualitative courses and providing a diverse range of approaches, such as ethnography, grounded theory, narrative inquiry, the listening guide, study of lives, and so on. Students will be introduced to and will practice methods of data collection and analytic strategies typically employed in qualitative inquiry and will discuss special issues the confront qualitative researchers. Typically includes writing several brief reflection papers based on works and a 10 – 20 page paper describing a qualitative research design project of the student’s choice

Offer as needed

030893