This course provides a basic survey of methods and strategies for qualitative academic research and writing for the humanities and social sciences. I will give short lectures on formats and techniques (how-to's for: descriptions, interpretations, abstracts, thesis statements, referencing, organizing literature …). You will then have the opportunity to immediately put my input to practice: each week, you will complete a short writing assignment, and bring it to class for discussion. In class, we'll work through your assignments in peer review sessions, in which you will give and receive feedback to/from your peers, and also from me. Depending on how the COVID-19 situation develops, we might go on field trips to relevant institutions (galleries, libraries) for hands-on engagement with the routine practices of qualitative academic research in the humanities and social sciences.

Attendance is mandatory. Grades will be calculated according to: participation in class (especially in group assignments), your portfolio (=collection of all written assignments, to be handed in by the end of the term), and a reflective oral or written exam in January 2021.

UPDATE November 3: Starting with November 10, classes will take place online. Links and passwords are provided in the ownCloud course folder.

This class is part of the curriculum for Cross-Disciplinary Strategies (CDS). Whether students from other faculties will be admitted to the course is subject to room capacities.

Students from other programs are very welcome to register for my PS Introduction to Media Studies - Methods and Methodologies, course number S03463, where we'll also cover a number of research strategies at an introductory level.