Bachelor
2021/2022
Research Seminar: Advanced Methods of Oriental Studies
Type:
Compulsory course (Asian and African Studies)
Area of studies:
Asian and African Studies
Delivered by:
School of Asian Studies
When:
5 year, 1 module
Mode of studies:
offline
Open to:
students of one campus
Instructors:
Alexandra Sizova
Language:
English
ECTS credits:
4
Contact hours:
24
Course Syllabus
Abstract
This Research Seminar is aimed at the systemic development of the participants' analytical, heuristic, creative and academic writing skills necessary for a 21st-century Oriental Studies specialist. The students deepen their knowledge of social science methodology, familiarize with the newest methods and approaches widely used in Asian, Area Studies as well as other allied sciences dealing with exploration of social, economic, political and other processes in the East and apply this knowledge and skills in the real world research. A special focus of the course will be on research design and technologies, conducting and structuring a research based on contemporary academic requirements, writing and presenting a successful Bachelor's graduation thesis.
Learning Objectives
- The objectives of this course include the improvement of research competencies of the 5-year students of Asian and African Studies; familiarization with contemporary methods and approaches in social sciences and humanities applicable to multi- and interdisciplinary research related to historical, political, economic, social and cultural processes in the East; development of competences in the field of work with various sources, skills of data collection and data analysis as well as formalization of research results corresponding with the best practices of the modern Asian and African Studies.
Expected Learning Outcomes
- To adequately use various methods and techniques of research design, collecting and analyzing data and principles of contemporary scientific methodology in conducting a research in Asian and African Studies.
- To define basic principles, special features, challenges and key components of a contemporary research in Asian and African Studies.
- To distinguish between incoherent explanation and well-ground argumentation.
- To do various types of research work in Asian and African Studies in compliance with objectives and tasks of a study and formal requirements of the Bachelor’s degree paper in the field.
- To identify and correct errors in scientific inquiry and reasoning.
- To identify and explain the contemporary trends in the field of study and different theoretical approaches in Asian and African Studies.
- To professionally work with literature and different types of information sources in the research process.
- To work effectively on a research project both individually and in a group of researchers.
Course Contents
- 1. Methodological basis of a Contemporary Research in Asian and African Studies
- 2. The Basics of Research Design in Asian and African Studies: Principles, Elements, Techniques
- 3. Contemporary Methods of Social Sciences and Humanities in Asian and African Studies: Description, Comparative Research, Case Studies
- 4. Contemporary Methods of Social Sciences and Humanities in Asian and African Studies: Interviews, Surveys, Questionnaires, Sampling
- 5. Contemporary Methods of Social Sciences and Humanities in Asian and African Studies: Content Analysis, Secondary Data Analysis, Quantitative Data Analysis
- 6. Contemporary Methods of Social Sciences and Humanities in Asian and African Studies: Observation, Ethnography, Focus Groups, Discourse Analysis, Qualitative Data Analysis
Assessment Elements
- Final presentation
- Participation in seminar discussions
- Attendance
- Written Assignments
Interim Assessment
- 2021/2022 1st module0.4 * Final presentation + 0.2 * Participation in seminar discussions + 0.2 * Attendance + 0.2 * Written Assignments
Bibliography
Recommended Core Bibliography
- How to write a research article : textbook for early-career researchers, Bazanova, E., 2020
- Research design : qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods approaches, Creswell, J. W., 2018
- The practice of social research, Babbie, E., 2020
Recommended Additional Bibliography
- An introduction to data analysis : qantitative, qualitative and mixed methods, Bergin, T., 2018
- Case study research and applications : design and methods, Yin, R. K., 2018
- Research methods : the basics, Walliman, N., 2018