mcom4260

MCOM 4260 Graduate Seminar in Qualitative Research Methods

Spring 2010  Mon/Wed 4 – 5:50

Room 119 Mass Communications Building

Instructor: Associate Professor Lynn Schofield Clark

Teaching Assistant: Jill Dierberg, Ph.D. student in Religion & Social Change, University of Denver/Iliff School of Theology

Qualitative research methods fulfills a course requirement for all graduate students in the Department of Mass Communications & Journalism Studies and in the International and Intercultural Communication program, and is available to other graduate students interested in developing skills and knowledge in interpretive research. This course introduces some of the primary research paradigms in contemporary media studies and immerses students in the practices of research.

This is a service learning course that will provide opportunities for students to interact with young people and leaders who are members of two progressive religious communities in the Denver area.  We will be working with these communities to develop digital storytelling products that they believe represent the goals, values, and ethos of their groups for the purpose of enhancing group participation and engagement with the wider community.

By the end of the quarter, students will have:

* Participated in group and individual interviews, material cultural analysis, observational research, and experimental/authoethnographic research

* Contributed to the planning, scripting, shooting, editing, and critiquing of digital storytelling projects involving members of the community

* Developed a draft of their thesis/dissertation proposal, written the first draft of the methods section of their thesis/dissertation, OR contributed writing to a co-authored academic paper reflecting on digital storytelling as a method of collective representation

Look for more information about this course by selecting course schedule, objectives & outcomes (which includes info on assignments and grading), and policies on the top menu.  Your gradebook will always be accessible via the Blackboard link at the top of the page.

Feel free to email me to make an appointment.  I look forward to having you in class!