Methodology of Cultural Studies Research

Timetable

Module aim (aims)

• acquisition of basics of knowledge about the role of methods of social research and their influence of their results in social life
• acquisition of elementary knowledge about the structure and phases of the research process
• development of orientation in basic concepts, tools and methods of cultural research
• development of experience in practice of planning, conducting of research project, analysis and interpretation of data
• acquisition of experience in interpretation of data and presentation of results of cultural research
• development of ability of critical thinking in reception and interpretation of the social research results

Pre-requisites in terms of knowledge, skills and social competences (where relevant)

- general orientation in cultural perspective and its background in the Western scientific history;
- ability to understand and speak English fluently
- ability to participate in a lecture and organize one’s work

Syllabus

Week 1: Introduction – culture and its role and understanding
Week 2: Origins of social research. Role and purpose of social research. Sources and forms of human knowledge.
Week 3: Characteristics of the scientific method. Science in culture. Social context in social research. Information from research in decision making process.
Week 4: Different perspectives within cultural studies research.
Week 5: Research ethics.
Week 6: Research of the Social World through the Lens of Experience
- from Experience to Social World
Week 7: Stories and the Social World
Week 8: Approaches to researching ‘cultural production’
Week 9: Cultural Consumers
Week 10: Case Study Method
Week 11: Research of Organizational Culture
Week 12: Hofstede Cultural Approach
Week 13: Inglehart’s approach for cultural analysis
Week 14: Other approaches to cultural analysis
Week 15: Preparation for the exam

Reading list

? E. Babbie, The Basics of Social Research, Wadsworth, Belmont 2011.
? N.K. Denzin, Y. S. Lincoln (ed.), The Sage Handbook of Qualitative Research, Sage
? M. Pickering (ed.), Research Methods for Cultural Studies, Edinburgh University Press, 2008.
? M. Angrosino, Doing Ethnographic and Observational Research, Sage, London 2007.