ID132
METHODS OF INQUIRY
Other titles (2)
- RESEARCH METHODS
- Research Methods for International Development and Social Change
- Department
- International Development
- Terms offered
- 21
- Data refreshed
- Sep 29, 2026
Description
This course examines the value of ethnographic forms of research and knowledge production, its conceits, as well as its limits. While other genres of research design and methods will be considered, the primary focus will be upon qualitative ones, including participatory techniques developed by field practitioners. Special emphasis will be placed upon cultivating a critical stance towards these methods, the cultural assumptions that underlie them, and the impact relations of power have upon the research process as a whole. Towards this end, assignments (including a mini-ethnography) are designed to help students: 1) design their own research project; 2) select methods that are appropriate to it; 3) gain the intellectual flexibility and confidence to make adjustments as necessary in "the field"; and 4) to reflect upon the inter-personal dynamics of the research process during the write up phase of their project.
Syllabi
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Offerings and forecast 2015–2025
2006 2025
| Year | Fall | Spring | Summer | Intersession |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2030 | 2030 Fall: 39% chance, medium confidence. Offered in 8 of 9 fall terms since 2018. Department course count falling about 8% per year. Department faculty is about 16% below its recent average. | 2030 Spring: 7% chance, medium confidence. Offered in 0 of 9 spring terms since 2018. | 2030 Summer: 7% chance, medium confidence. Offered in 0 of 9 summer terms since 2018. | 2030 Intersession: 8% chance, medium confidence. Offered in 0 of 6 intersession terms since 2020. |
| 2029 | 2029 Fall: 43% chance, medium confidence. Offered in 9 of 10 fall terms since 2017. Department course count falling about 4% per year. Department faculty is about 17% below its recent average. | 2029 Spring: 6% chance, medium confidence. Offered in 0 of 10 spring terms since 2017. | 2029 Summer: 6% chance, medium confidence. Offered in 0 of 10 summer terms since 2017. | 2029 Intersession: 7% chance, medium confidence. Offered in 0 of 7 intersession terms since 2017. |
| 2028 | 2028 Fall: 46% chance, medium confidence. Offered in 10 of 11 fall terms since 2016. Department course count falling about 4% per year. Department faculty is about 19% below its recent average. | 2028 Spring: 5% chance, medium confidence. Offered in 0 of 11 spring terms since 2016. | 2028 Summer: 5% chance, medium confidence. Offered in 0 of 11 summer terms since 2016. | 2028 Intersession: 7% chance, medium confidence. Offered in 0 of 7 intersession terms since 2017. |
| 2027 | 2027 Fall: 50% chance, medium confidence. Offered in 11 of 12 fall terms since 2015. Department course count falling about 4% per year. Department faculty is about 22% below its recent average. | 2027 Spring: 5% chance, high confidence. Offered in 0 of 12 spring terms since 2015. | 2027 Summer: 5% chance, high confidence. Offered in 0 of 12 summer terms since 2015. | 2027 Intersession: 6% chance, medium confidence. Offered in 0 of 7 intersession terms since 2017. |
| 2025 | 1 section | Not offered | Not offered | Not offered |
| 2024 | 1 section | Not offered | Not offered | Not offered |
| 2023 | 1 section | Not offered | Not offered | Not offered |
| 2022 | 1 section | Not offered | Not offered | Not offered |
| 2021 | 1 section | Not offered | Not offered | Not offered |
| 2020 | 1 section | Not offered | Not offered | Not offered |
| 2019 | 1 section | Not offered | Not offered | No data |
| 2018 | 1 section | Not offered | Not offered | No data |
| 2017 | 1 section | Not offered | Not offered | Not offered |
| 2016 | 1 section | Not offered | Not offered | No data |
| 2015 | 1 section | Not offered | Not offered | No data |
Forecast Under 15% 15–39% 40–69% 70–89% 90%+ Not enough history
Fall Spring Summer Intersession More sections Not offered No data
Meeting times
Recent first- Mon, Wed, 4:15 PM–5:30 PM BP220 2025
- Tue, Thu, 9:00 AM–10:15 AM ASEC304 2019201820172016
- Mon, Wed, 12:00 PM–1:15 PM ES414 20152006
- Tue, Fri, 12:00 PM–1:15 PM Geography Building G104 20142013
- Tue, Thu, 10:25 AM–11:40 AM Cohen-Lasry House SEM 20122012
- Mon, 2:50 PM–5:50 PM Jefferson Academic Center JF133 20112010
- Mon, Thu, 2:50 PM–4:05 PM Jefferson Academic Center JF222 200920082007
| Term | Professor | Type | Credits | Enrollment | CRN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2025 | Anita Fabos | Lecture | 1 | 19 of 22 enrolled | 20184 |
| Fall 2024 | Anita Fabos | Lecture | 1 | 6 of 22 enrolled | 20184 |
| Fall 2023 | Anita Fabos | Lecture | 1 | 9 of 22 enrolled | 20184 |
| Fall 2022 | Anna L. Mullany | Lecture | 1 | 10 of 22 enrolled | 20184 |
| Fall 2021 | Cynthia M. Caron | Lecture | 1 | 16 of 22 enrolled | 20714 |
| Fall 2020 | David I. Bell | Lecture | 1 | 14 of 20 enrolled | 20714 |
| Fall 2019 | Cynthia M. Caron | Lecture | 1 | 22 of 20 enrolled | 20714 |
| Fall 2018 | David I. Bell | Lecture | 1 | 23 of 20 enrolled | 20714 |
| Fall 2017 | David I. Bell | Lecture | 1 | 21 of 20 enrolled | 20714 |
| Fall 2016 | David I. Bell | Lecture | 1 | 21 of 20 enrolled | 20714 |
| Fall 2015 | David I. Bell | Lecture | 1 | 24 of 20 enrolled | 20714 |
| Fall 2014 | David I. Bell | Lecture | 1 | 21 of 20 enrolled | 20714 |
| Fall 2013 | Ken MacLean | Lecture | 1 | 25 of 20 enrolled | 20714 |
| Fall 2012 | Ken MacLean | Lecture | 1 | 15 of 15 enrolled | 20714 |
| Spring 2012 | Ken MacLean | Lecture | 1 | 25 of 25 enrolled | 31637 |
| Fall 2011 | Marianne Sarkis | Lecture | 1 | 27 of 25 enrolled | 20714 |
| Fall 2010 | Marianne Sarkis | Lecture | 1 | 28 of 25 enrolled | 27786 |
| Fall 2009 | Ken MacLean | Lecture | 1 | 24 of 25 enrolled | 24480 |
| Fall 2008 | Ken MacLean | Lecture | 1 | 24 of 25 enrolled | 24480 |
| Fall 2007 | Ken MacLean | Lecture | 1 | 22 of 25 enrolled | 24480 |
| Fall 2006 | Daivi Rodima | Lecture | 1 | 13 of 20 enrolled | 24480 |