Seminar Qualitative Methods A

Over the past years and decades, the organization of work globally has changed and is posing new challenges to workers around the world who at the same time deploy a wide range of strategies to struggle for their rights and dignity. This research methods seminar takes a look at the situation in Kassel. The small student groups will decide upon their specific focus, be it a branch analysis of precarious working conditions; a study on gender and racial hierarchies in the organization of work; examining the household as a place of (un-)paid labor; an analysis on how the strengths of the military industry in Kassel creates tensions between trade unions and peace activists; or any other topic that is of interest. In this course the participants will first develop a research question and a research design. Further, data collection and data analysis will be carried out on an exemplary basis. The participants will document the whole process in a research diary and present it at the end of the course. Please note: This course can only be taken in combination with the lecture on Advanced Research Methods (Helen Schwenken, Tue 13-14:15, starting on Oct 16). Course requirements: - regular attendance of the lecture - active participation in all phases of the group work, including a research diary - presentation of the results of the group work in the seminar - writing an individual MA thesis outline. If you have any questions, please contact hschwenken@uni-kassel.de FB 05 Gesellschaftswissenschaften Uni Kassel WiSe 2012/13 Global Political Economy Prof. Dr. Schwenken Helen