Crim3103 Advanced Qualitative Methods, winter 2024-25  MMH202  weblog  gradesheet  index    
"The interpretations of psychoanalysis are translations from a mode of expression that is alien to us into one which is familiar," Sigmund Freud, Complete Psychological Works. Photo: graffiti on underpass, Uniacke, NS

Overview: This course explores issues of advanced qualitative research methods, topics and techniques such as  ethics, found materials, interviewing, participant observation, discourse and content analysis, (rolling) thematic and narrative analysis, grounded theory, auto/ethnography, photo-voice and photo-elicitation, and other topics. It is both a project design course, and a reflection on the design of projects by social researchers on their own work. Blended classes combine face-to-face lectures with online asynchronous material. Suggestion: work in pairs.*This format is flexible, individually-focused, interactive, and indepth*

Course text: Primary: The Craft of Qualitative Research. Steven Kleinknecht, ed., CSP, 2018. Secondary: Qualitative Research in Action, Deborah van den Hoonard, Oxford, 2019, 3rd.
 
Evaluation: (1) Classmark (25%) reflects inclass 'engagement exercises', and homework assignments. On the gradesheet, there is a sliding scale for assignments to reflect both quantity and quality. (2) Proposal (20%) due week six, for study on issue/event of interest, eg. observations of gender and sexuality at the gym; autoethnography of shopping as a vegan; interviews on passing or coming out; the ethnography of tattoos; discourse analysis of media articles on a social problem; negotiating status as a parole officer; talking with the homeless; and so on. (3) Project: (30%), end of term (interactive format, preferred, eg. powerpoint; or 10 page essay, dspaced; or video...). The idea is to take the proposal and expand it to the equivalent of an essay with interactive components, eg. take the essay and put it in the notes of the powerpoint, and add annotations and visual elements to the slides.  (4) Presentation: (25%). Given the small size, and the skill level of the course, a presentation to the class is deemed to be a better finale than an exam.