Explanation and Understanding

Subject 121-446 (2009)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2009. Search for this in the current handbook

Credit Points:

12.50

Level:

4 (Undergraduate)

Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2009:

March, - Taught on campus.

Pre-teaching Period Start	not applicable
Teaching Period	not applicable
Assessment Period End	not applicable
Last date to Self-Enrol	not applicable
Census Date	not applicable
Last date to Withdraw without fail	not applicable

Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.

Time Commitment:

Contact Hours: Two 3-hr seminars per week in weeks 1-2, and one 3-hr seminar per week in weeks 3-6.
Total Time Commitment: 2 contact hours/week , 8 additional hours/week. Total of 10 hours per week.

Prerequisites:

Admission to 4th year Honours or Postgraduate Diploma in Anthropology and/or Social Theory, or permission of the coordinator.

Corequisites:

None

Recommended Background Knowledge:

None

Non Allowed Subjects:

None

Core Participation Requirements:

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

Coordinator

Dr Tamara Kohn

Contact

Dr Tamara Kohn

tkohn@unimelb.edu.au

Subject Overview:	This subject focuses on the skills entailed in qualitative research projects that seek to understand and explain social and cultural phenomena. It introduces students to various approaches to socio-cultural research and their ethical and methodological implications, particularly in cross-cultural contexts. Students will workshop specific projects, as well as examining a range of qualitative research methods. On completion of this subject students should have the ability to design an original research project of their own, justifying the methodological and ethical approach to be taken.
Objectives:	understand the relationship between the aims, objectives, rationale and methodology of qualitative research projects appreciate ethical implications of social research, and how these may be accommodated within research design acquire awareness of issues relating to cross-cultural research and communication have experience of different research methods and an appreciation of their differing potentials and limitations
Assessment:	A 1500 word research proposal 30% (due in week 4), a 500 word report on ethical implications 10% (due in week 6), and a 3000 word written assignment 60% (due at end of the semester).
Prescribed Texts:	Set readings will be provided online through LMS
Breadth Options:	This subject is not available as a breadth subject.
Fees Information:	Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:	show initiative in self-directed research; demonstrate an ability to critically analyse and evaluate research strategies; be able to communicate the aims and anticipated outcomes of research intelligibly and economically.
Notes:	Formerly available as 121-085 or 136-020. Students who have completed 121-085 or 136-020 are not eligible to enrol in this subject.
Related Course(s):	Postgraduate Diploma in Arts(Development Studies)
Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations:	Anthropology Anthropology and Social Theory Asian Studies Development Studies Development Studies Development Studies

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