Course Catalogue

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