Interdisciplinary Methods Course

AFRICAN STUDIES M.A. REQUIREMENT

AFRI A-650   INTERDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH METHODS (3 cr)

The objective of this course is to give students a foundation in research methods and techniques across the disciplines in the humanities, social and environmental sciences, and the applied fields. The course will prepare students to conduct scholarly research and social impact analysis in Africa as well as design and implement projects focused on contemporary issues in areas ranging from development and the environment to health and politics.  The course will also provide students with the background for assessing the results of already completed studies.

A fundamental point of convergence across all research is the relationship between the researcher and the population. Since all research is influenced by cultural forms of communication and perceptions of the "Other," the course will discuss ways of developing communicative competence in African contexts as a basis for gaining social-cultural knowledge and understanding. Students will also learn about research ethics, the processes of Human Subjects Review, and the design of proposals that meet the standards of Human Subjects Committees.

The course will be led by an African Studies faculty affiliate who will invite as guest presenters colleagues from across the disciplines to complement her/his own expertise.  Anthropologists, ethnomusicologists, folklorists, and historians will introduce students to techniques in interviewing, participant-observation, oral historical research, documentation, and the analysis of archival records.  Sociologists, political scientists, environmental and health sciences scholars will discuss quantitative and qualitative methods appropriate to their disciplines, including sampling techniques and the analysis of government documents.

Students will be required to analyze studies in their areas of interest and/or develop a research design that involves the use of library resources or other major sources of data on campus.