Research methods in the humanities
Associate Professor C W Evers
12 points
* 3 hours per week
* First semester
* Clayton
Objectives Upon successful completion of this subject, students should understand enough about methodology in one of four areas of specialisation in educational studies (English language studies, second language studies, history and philosophy of education) to undertake independently a relatively sustained piece of research, up to the level of a masters coursework project.
Synopsis The focus of this subject is to prepare students for more specialised work (either coursework or project) in one of the following four areas of educational studies: English language studies, second language studies, history, and philosophy of education. It consists of two parts: a common or core sequence of topics relevant to research and study in all four areas, and four distinct modules designed to introduce students to some of the methods associated with work in each area. All students do the core topics as well as topics drawn from one of the four specialist modules. Common topics include use of bibliographical sources and methods of citation; organising and writing research for project or essay work; library resources and the use of educational indexes; an introduction to the ERIC computer educational index; ethical approval of research; a review of styles of educational research; supervision. Specialist topics in English language studies will include the range and scope of research studies in language and literacy education, ethnographic approaches to literacy research, English teacher as classroom researcher, culture and language studies. Second language studies will include research in second language acquisition, the relationship between linguistic theory and language teaching and learning, evaluating oral discourse, textbook analysis. In history there is emphasis on the evaluation and use of secondary sources, on the use and importance in historical argument of primary sources such as parliamentary papers, archives, public record office, newspapers, mss, artefacts (photographs), and on the use of oral history. Specialist topics in philosophy include philosophical reasoning in education, moral argument, theory of knowledge, and existential perspectives.
Assessment Assignment (6000 words): 100%
* Seminar presentation
Recommended texts
Reading lists will be distributed in class for each module
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