Workshop ii: qualitative social science methods for media studies

Lectures: 1 session / week, 3 hours / session

This course focuses on a number of qualitative social science methods that can be productively used in media studies research including interviewing, participant observation, focus groups, cultural probes, visual sociology, and ethnography. The emphasis will primarily be on understanding and learning concrete techniques that can be evaluated for their usefulness in any given project and utilized as needed. Data organization and analysis will be addressed. Several advanced critical thematics will also be covered, including ethics, reciprocity, "studying up," and risk. The course will be taught via a combination of lectures, class discussions, group exercises, and assignments. This course requires a willingness to work hands-on with learning various social science methods and a commitment to the preparation for such (including reading, discussion, and reflection).

CMS.950 Workshop I

Participant Observation

Advanced Topic: Risk & Crime

Interviews

Advanced Topic: Gender, Sexuality, and Intersectionality

Technology

Advanced Topic: Ontology & Agency

Usability

Advanced Topic: Studying up

Analysis

Advanced Topic: Reciprocity

Creating Persuasive Arguments

Advanced Topic: Generalization

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