Unit information: Researching Society and Space in 2014/15

Unit name	Researching Society and Space
Unit code	GEOGM0002
Credit points	20
Level of study	M/7
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24)
Unit director	Dr. Whelan
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	None
Co-requisites	None
School/department	School of Geographical Sciences
Faculty	Faculty of Science

Description including Unit Aims

This unit introduces key qualitative methodologies, juxtaposing social scientific approaches and those from the humanities (such as hermeneutics, genealogy and discourse analysis). The aim is both to teach methods and to raise broader questions about what constitutes “method” and the different practices so designated by different academic communities in human geography. The unit addresses the epistemological and practical implications of a range of qualitative methodologies; provides a practical introduction to selected qualitative methods; and introduces students to the different forms of evaluation appropriate to the use of particular research methodologies. The unit also addresses critical debates concerning the relationships between qualitative methodologies, the deployment of research methodologies in academic social science and the humanities, and the use of different methodologies in public policy debates.

Intended Learning Outcomes

The Unit aims to :

• Provide an introduction to qualitative methods from both the social sciences and the humanities.
• Familiarise students with the challenges of building causal arguments and theories in the absence of experimental data, and with the central place of sound research designs and rigorous data collection in overcoming such challenges
• Consider the rationale and uses of qualitative methods and their relationship to theory construction and evaluation

Teaching Information

Weekly seminars

Assessment Information

Qualitative Research Methods essay (50%); Humanities Methods essay (50%)

Reading and References

• Berg, B.L. Qualitative research methods for the social sciences. Boston, MA: Allyn and Bacon, 2007.
• Bourgois, Philippe. 2003. In Search of Respect: Selling Crack in El Barrio. 2nd edition. New York: Cambridge University Press.
• DeLyser, D. et al., Sage Handbook of Qualitative Geography. London, Sage, 2009.
• Gerring, John. 2001. Social Science Methodology: A Criterial Framework. New York: Cambridge University Press.
• Iser, W (2006) How to Do Theory, Blackwell
• Pryke, M., Rose, G. and Whatmore, S. 2003 Using Social Theory, Sage.
• Sherratt, Y 2005 Continental Philosophy of Social Science, Cambridge University Press
• Skocpol, Theda, and Margaret Somers. 1980. “The Uses of Comparative History in Macrosocial Inquiry.” Comparative Studies in Society and History 22[2]: 174-197.