Prospectus

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Seminar: Methodological Specialization

Course
2019-2020

Admission requirements

The course is designed for ResMA African Studies students. Other LU students can join the course with prior discussion with the course coordinator Azeb Amha mail to

Description

This course on research methodologies and research methods provides a follow-up to the course on Reflexivity and Methodologies in Africanist Research . It has a strong fieldwork orientation, preparing the students to reflect on the methodological implications of their research question with which they go 'into the field' later in the year, to explore qualitative and quantitative methods, and to develop practical mixed method skills. Whatever the appropriate methodological choices, in all instances the need for a strong reflexive element is emphasised.
It is a course which students fill according to the needs of their own specific research question / (fieldwork) research. For that reason they can follow this course offered by the Research Master African Studies itself or attend methodological courses offered by other study programmes that fit their methodological fieldwork requirements more effectively or appropriately as long as the course taken fulfills the 5 EC requirement.

Course objectives

After completion of the course, the students will be able to

  • Reflect on the implications of methodological approaches in field work situations

  • Apply a diversity of quantitative and qualitative research methods;

  • Use fieldwork tools like recording, note-taking;

  • Recognise and address ethical and intercultural challenges of doing fieldwork.

Timetable

The timetable is available on the website of the MA African Studies
ResMA African Studies

Mode of instruction

  • Lecture

  • Seminar

Course Load

  • The total course load is 140 hrs (5 EC x 28/EC)

  • 18 hrs of these will be spent on lectures

  • 6 hrs practical assignment on recording and interview

  • 60 hrs are to be spent on studying literature

  • 56 hrs writing an essay

Assessment method

The assessment is based on one final individual paper of 3000 words (85%) plus a practical group assignment on fieldwork tools (15%).

Resit

If a student fails to attain a pass for the course on the basis of the evaluation of the individual paper and the practical assignments, a second chance will be offered to rewrite the essay. Also, a replacement assignmet will be offered to groups that do not obtain sastifactory marks on the practical assignment.

Exam review

How and when an exam review will take place will be disclosed together with the publication of the exam results at the latest. If a student requests a review within 30 days after publication of the exam results, an exam review will have to be organized.

Blackboard

Yes. Blackboard

Reading list

A list of compulsory and recommended literature will be made available a week before the course starts together with details of the course programme

Registration

Enrolment through uSis is mandatory.
General information about uSis is available on the website

Contact

Dr. Azeb Amha

Coordinator of Studies: P.C. Lai LL.M. MSc

Education Administration Office: van Wijkplaats

Remarks

The course coordinator, Dr Azeb Amha, will mark the assignments.