Module
Title: SOCS
369 Research Project
Programme:
Sociology
B.A.
Credit
Value: 12
General
Objectives:
This module is
offered as a ‘capstone’ experience for the sociology major. Each student will
engage in an independent research project of his/her own choosing for the
entirety of the semester. Ideally, the student will have identified an area of
research interest while studying one of the required topical courses in
sociology (SOCS 232 Social Psychology, SOCS 242 Social Institutions, SOCS 351
Youth, SOCS 352 Health & Religion, SOCS 361 Development, or SOCS 362 Change).
He/she also may have conducted a small-scale piece of research in either SOCS
231 (Qualitative Methods) or SOCS 241 (Quantitative Methods) that may serve as
the kernel of the third-year project.
In the third year
then, each student will work with the appropriate faculty member (depending on
their area of interest) to conceive, design, implement, analyze and report the
findings from his/her research project. The completion of this project and the
dissemination of research findings will serve to synthesize the various threads
of the major programme and evaluate students’ mastery of the discipline. The
highest performing students will be well prepared to continue their study of
sociology, in the honours programme at Sherubtse and in a graduate programme
later on. All students who successfully complete this portion of the major programme
will have adequate training to apply sociological skills (principles and
practices) in a variety of workplace settings.
Learning
Outcomes:
By the end of the
course, students will be able to:
- Identify an area
of research interest within the discipline of sociology.
- Perform an
exhaustive review of literature relevant to their chosen topic.
- Construct a
workable research question in relation to their specific topic.
- Design an
appropriate research protocol to address their research question.
- Generate data
according to their particular research design.
- Analyze the data
generated to identify sociologically interesting patterns.
- Write a report
documenting the research process and their central findings.
- Present their
findings to the sociology faculty.
- Present their
findings in a public forum, at Sherubtse or at a professional meeting.
Learning
and Teaching Approach Used:
Students will be
working independently in this module, under the direct supervision of one or
more faculty members. Each student will meet with his/her faculty mentor at
least once per week, perhaps more often at the beginning of the semester.
Additionally, occasional meetings/workshops among small groups of students
working on similar topics may also be scheduled.
Assessment:
Course grades will be
determined using the following criteria:
Literature Review 10%
Research Question
5%
Methodology/Design 5%
Implementation 10%
Analysis &
Interpretation 20%
Written Report 30%
Oral Presentation 20%
Pre-requisite:
Students must have
successfully completed Introduction to Sociology (SOCS 111), Statistics for
Social Research (SOCS 112), Social Theory (SOCS 122), both Research Methods
courses (SOCS 231 & 241) and several substantive modules (SOCS 232, SOCS
242, SOCS 351, SOCS 352) prior to enrolling in this module.
Reading
List:
To be determined by
each student in consultation with his/her faculty mentor.
Date: August 2008