Practical Research Methods: Political participation and social behaviour

The course begins with lectures on theories of democracy, citizenship, political culture, social belonging, and examples of research on the school`s social sciences. Moreover, there will be lectures about methods of data collection with emphasis on the lecturer`s own research experiences. The lectures will, together with previous courses, give students a theoretical and methodological basis for their investigations. Through lectures, seminars, project work and individual guidance, will students be given a practical exercise in the research process. Working with the project, the students gather in their own data - whether they are obtained through observation, interview, questionnaire or written sources. Data should preferably, but not exclusively, be collected in connection with the teacher practice in the school, and analyzed on the basis of sociological or political science issues and theory. The course is a compulsory part of the five-year teacher education in social science.

Give students an introduction to theories of social behavior and political participation, and greater understanding of practical research work through their own data collection and analysis of these.

Lectures/seminars and guidance on project assignment. The subject is taught in coordination with the students teacher practice period. The course is reserved for students admitted to a particular programme ("studierettskrav"). Exhange students interested in the course must consult the Department for possible admission.