European Studies: Research Methods and Minor Thesis

Freestanding course

Freestanding course, Bachelor’s level

15 hp

Malmö daytime 100%

8 November 2021 - 16 January 2022

Applications open 15 March

About the course

Course content

The course contains two modules. Module 1 (7,5 credits) presents some of the central research methods used in social sciences and humanities in lectures and seminar exercises, and relates this to teaching and seminar discussions on the importance of problem formulations and theory for the choice of method and material. In this module, the students also begin to work on a first draft for the upcoming minor thesis in module 2 of the course.

Module 2 (7,5 credits) is an essay course, where the student shall write an individual minor independent work. This module contains a combination of group supervision in seminars and individual supervision, and a final seminar where the student shall perform an independent opposition on another student’s essay, as well as defend her/his own work.

Syllabus autumn 2021

Admission requirements

A minimum of 30 credits in social sciences or humanities + English B from Swedish upper secondary school.

Selection

University credits completed 100%

Course literature

Course literature and other teaching materials

Booth, Wayne, Gregory Colomb and Joseph Williams, Joseph Bizup and William T. FitzGerald (2016 – 4th edition), The Craft of Research, Chicago
Lynggaart, Kennet, Manners, Ian and Löfgren, Karl (2015) Research Methods in European Union Studies. Palgrave Macmillan, London.
May, Tim (2011 – 4th edition), Social Research – Issues, methods and process, Open University Press. (also used in the second semester). (selected chapters)
Tosh, John (2010 – 5th edn), The Pursuit of History, Longman.
SAGE SRMO database on social research methods, via Malmö University Library
Additional readings, videos and other learning material.

Please note additional online resources may supplement/complement the core textbooks.

Course evaluation

The University provides students who participate in or who have completed a course with the opportunity to make known their experiences and viewpoints with regards to the course by completing a course evaluation administered by the University. The University will compile and summarize the results of course evaluations as well as informing participants of the results and any decisions relating to measures initiated in response to the course evaluations. The results will be made available to the students (HF 1:14).