The Context and Process of Research I: Theories and Methods

This is a course in social theory, where on the one hand principal social theories are presented and discussed, and on the other, students are taught how to use and apply the theories on an empirical material, i.e. to theorize. The course also focuses on the interconnection between theory and methods. During the course the students will also start to work on their individual research problems. They are expected to formulate a research problem and learn how to select the theories and concepts to theorize about both the problem and the potential empirical material. The course provides the students with a basic understanding of theoretical and methodological contexts and of the perspectives different theories, concepts and methods contribute to data collection and analysis. The main focus of the course is on qualitative methods, but the theoretical context of quantitative methods are also presented. The course presents the theoretical grounds of social analysis, the interaction between structure and agency, hermeneutics, phenomenology, gender analysis, Marxist social theory and social justice. The course consists of lectures as well as individual and group exercises, discussed during seminars.