SOCIAL SCIENCE 470/570:

METHODS OF SOCIAL RESEARCH

COURSE SYLLABUS
SPRING 2003

 

Readings

Assignments and Grading

Course Outline

Additional Readings

Meeting Time: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 1:40–2:55 p.m.
Meeting Place: Bailey Hall 206

Instructor: Dr. Alan Barton
Office: 201A Kethley Hall
Telephone: 846-4097
E-mail: abarton@deltastate.edu

Office Hours:  Mondays 1:00–3:00 p.m. and Tuesdays 3:00–4:00 p.m. or by appointment

Course Overview:

This is a course in research design.  Topics include epistemological perspectives, approaches to research design, tools for carrying out social science research, and ethical considerations.  We will compare approaches to social science research by critically evaluating two important classical studies that provide significantly different perspectives on the enterprise of research.  Students will also collaborate with classmates to develop a research proposal, incorporating a logical design that addresses a specific research question.

Readings:

Ragin, Charles C. 1994. Constructing Social Research: The Unity and Diversity of Method. Thousand Oaks, CA: Pine Forge Press.

 

Durkheim, Emile. 1997 (Reissue). Suicide: A Study in Sociology. New York: Free Press.

 

Whyte, William Foote. 1993. Street Corner Society: The Social Structure of an Italian Slum, 4th Edition. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.

 

Articles as assigned.

 

Books are available at the University Bookstore.  Students should purchase these books, or otherwise make arrangements to access the course readings.  It is fine to purchase other editions of Suicide or Street Corner Society, but be aware that the pages may differ from those on the syllabus.

 

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Assignments and Grading:

 

(1) Midterm Exam (30% of final grade)

      An in-class mid-term exam will be given on Thursday, February 27.  The exam covers the material from the first part of the course.  All students MUST take the mid-term exam.  The exam will consist of short answer and essay questions.  There is NO final exam in this course.

(2) Group Project (50% of final grade)

      In groups of 2-4, students will work on a group project throughout the semester.  Each group will develop a research project, and turn in a 10-15 page research proposal at the end of the semester (due the last day of classes).  All members of each group will receive the same grade on the proposal.  Three assignments pertaining to the proposal will be assigned during the semester, and group members will prepare and give a final presentation to the entire class on their project.  Each student will receive an individual grade on the three assignments and the final presentation.

      - The final proposal is worth 25% of each student’s individual final grade.

- The three assignments are worth 15% of each student’s individual final grade.

- The final presentation is worth 10% of each student’s individual final grade.

 

The research proposal is due on Thursday, April 24.

 

(3) Class Participation (20% of final grade)

      Students are expected to attend class regularly and participate actively in class discussions.  Students should come to each session having already read and thought about the assigned material, with questions and points to discuss.

 

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