Theoretical and Methodological Issues (SOC*4300)

Code and section: SOC*4300*01

Term: Winter 2025

Instructor: Mervyn Horgan

Details

Course Description
Social research without coherent methodology is aimless. Without theory it is barren. This seminar weaves a thread between qualitative methods, and critical and interpretive theorizing. We will explore how methods and theory mutually inform one another, with a special focus on housing and/or public and semi-public spaces. We will treat our immediate environment—the university campus and the city of Guelph—as rich sources of readily available data. We will gather and analyze data both individually and collaboratively, and will work to critique and refine existing concepts, and to develop new ones.

As this seminar is aimed at students who are seriously considering graduate studies in social science, you will come to seminars well prepared to contribute to and guide discussion in intelligent and informed ways. While some of the coursework may be challenging, willing and engaged participation will hone the analytic abilities that you will help to prepare you for graduate studies in the social sciences and a range of research, policy, planning, and advocacy-oriented careers. We will also probably have some fun along the way.

**Please note** Social interaction is a cornerstone of the course content and of my pedagogy. If you’re willing to participate actively in lectures, this will be a good (and maybe even fun!) course to take. If you’re not, it will be more difficult to get a good grade.

Evaluation may include the following:
Active and Generous Participation, Discussion Lead, Group Project, Interview and Reflection Assignments, Proposal, Peer Review & Final Paper.

Required Texts
There is no textbook for this course. Again, there is no textbook. None. Nada. Zilch. I’ve done lots of work to make course materials available through the library course reserves system, and in links to freely available open access materials through CourseLink. In exchange for doing this work to save you lots of money, I ask that you work especially hard to complete all assigned tasks in advance of each class and engage fully with course content.

Please note:
This outline is for information purposes only and may change. The final and full syllabus will be distributed in our first class on January 7, 2025.

Syllabus

Attachment	Size
SOC4300 W25 web outline - Horgan.pdf	71.18 KB