Syllabus for Qualitative Methods in the Social Sciences

Decisions and guidelines

The course is given as a skills course within the Master's Programme in Social Science. The course may be given in English.

Learning outcomes

After completing the course, the student should be able to:

• Use, evaluate and critically review different qualitative methods within the social sciences;
• Master sufficient skills to use qualitative methods in their research;
• Critically evaluate the use of different methodological approaches in social sciences studies and reports.

Content

The course will present various qualitative methods and engage students in discussions over the premises and use of these methods. Students will learn how to use the different methods through practical applications.

Instruction

The course consists of lectures, group exercises and seminars. Active participation in seminars is compulsory. Justified absence from compulsory seminars can only be compensated to a lesser extent by written submissions. If requirements for attendance are not met, the student will be referred to the next course opportunity.

Assessment

Assessment is by written home assignments and active participation in oral seminars. Assignments submitted after the deadline cannot be accepted. In case of missed deadline, the student is referred to re-examination. If there are justified special reasons, an examiner may make an exception from the method of assessment indicated and allow a student to be assessed by another method. An example of special reasons might be a certificate regarding special pedagogical support from the University's disability coordinator.

Other directives

The course is an obligatory course within the Master Programme in Social Science.