Critical Methodologies in Ethnic and Migration Studies

Aim

After completion of the course the student shall on an advanced level be able to:

• account for and critically examine various methodological perspectives and practical research methods in the field of research Ethnicity and migration and critically reflect on the interconnections of theory and method,
• critically reflect on ethical dilemmas, possibilities and limitations of different methodological approaches,
• design and present an outline of an independent scientific investigation.

Content

This course provides an introduction to methodology and research methods in the social sciences and humanities as applied in studies on ethnic relations, ethnic diversity, migration, discrimination, racism and social inclusion/exclusion. The course consists of two parts. The first part introduces a survey of the methodological heterogeneity of the field, discusses epistemological, ethical and practical possibilities and limitations of different methodological approaches, and presents some basic research methods in ethnic and migration studies, such as: statistics and quantitative analysis, ethnographic methodologies, policy analysis, film analysis, narrative analysis, discourse analysis, and visual analysis.

The second part of the course further develops methodological perspectives and method skills, through in-depth specialization in one or a few methodological approaches relevant to the student’s thesis work.