Qualitative research methods offer a means of gaining insight and understanding into complex perspectives held by people about social practices and social phenomena. Whereas good quantitative research captures scale, good qualitative research reaches the depth of perceptions, views, experiences, behaviors and beliefs. Qualitative research deals with meanings; it seeks to understand not just what people do, but why they choose to do what they do.

This course explores both the philosophy and practice of research methods. The first part of the course focuses on the scientific method and positivism as a model for social research and contemporary techniques of this model. Here we discuss alternative social science paradigms and the relationship between sociological theory and research methods. The second part of the course focuses on the practice of quantitative research methods. Students design and carry out a research project using survey methodology, along with exercises in additional quantitative methods. Prerequisite: 201.

For first-year students and sophomores; juniors and seniors with permission of the course director. Perspectives on society, culture and social interaction. Topics include the self, emotions, culture, community, class, ethnicity, family, sex roles, deviance and economy. Colloquium format.

By permission of the department, normally for senior majors who have had four semester courses above the introductory level.

By permission of the department, normally for senior majors who have had four semester courses above the introductory level.

By permission of the department.

For senior majors, by arrangement with the department. This is a full-year course.

For senior majors, by arrangement with the department.

Intensive practice in writing and discussing philosophy and in applying philosophical methods to key problems raised in essays written by members of the philosophy department. Required for majors, optional for minors. Normally taken in the sophomore year. Prerequisite: Two college courses in philosophy, one of which may be taken concurrently, or permission of the instructor.