Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2020 - LBST 202 D100

Labour Research for Social Change: Methods and Approaches (3)

Class Number: 2545

Delivery Method: Remote

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 9 – Dec 8, 2020: Tue, 2:30–4:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Exam Times + Location:

    Dec 10, 2020
    Thu, 11:00–11:00 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Instructor:

    Serdar Kaya
    ska99@sfu.ca
    Office Hours: Tu 1:00-2:00 pm Via: Skype

  • Prerequisites:

    LBST 101 or with permission of instructor.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Introduces students to labour research through methodology and research methods for social change. By exploring what methodology is, the methods common in labour research, and understandings of social justice, students gain experience of quantitative and qualitative approaches, including survey research. Focuses on using and interpreting quantitative data and statistics for social justice and social change. Quantitative.

COURSE DETAILS:

This course is designed to introduce students to the logic of social inquiry. The weekly classes and tutorials are geared toward giving the students a basic understanding of social research, and in the process, preparing them to write their own research proposals. The classes before the midterm focus on the very basic issues of social research, such as identifying puzzles, formulating research questions, and reviewing the literature for the answers scholars have so far offered. The classes after the midterm, however, more specifically inquire into the nature of qualitative and quantitative research. When teaching qualitative and quantitative research methods, the course acknowledges the philosophies that underlie them on the one hand, and demonstrates how they may very well be complementary to one another in producing knowledge on the other. The emphasis on mixed-method research thus helps the students utilize the particular strengths of both sets of procedures, while gaining a more holistic perspective.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

By the end of the course, students will have gained insights into:

  • the logic of social inquiry,
  • explanatory traditions in social sciences,
  • major methodological approaches in social sciences,
  • qualitative and quantitative data collection methods,
  • in-depth knowledge of methods specific to their research project,
  • the ethical and political dimensions of political science research, and
  • the issues involved in writing up research reports and theses.
Further, students will be able to:
  • demonstrate analytical skills in evaluating research design and practice,
  • create their own research questions, and research designs,
  • demonstrate the theoretical underpinnings of their chosen approach, and
  • use library and electronic resources, and locate appropriate materials.

Grading

  • Short research proposal 10%
  • Midterm assignment 20%
  • Review papers (3 x 10%) 30%
  • Full research proposal 30%
  • Participation 10%

NOTES:

Grading: Where a final exam is scheduled and the student does not write the exam or withdraw from the course before the deadline date, an N grade will be assigned. Unless otherwise specified on the course syllabus, all graded assignments for this course must be completed for a final grade other than N to be assigned. An N is considered as an F for the purposes of scholastic standing.

Grading System: The Undergraduate Course Grading System is as follows:

A+ (95-100) | A (90-94) | A- (85-89) | B+ (80-84) | B (75-79) | B- (70-74) | C+ (65-69) | C (60-64) | C- (55-59) | D (50-54) | F (0-49) | N*
*N standing to indicate the student did not complete course requirements

Academic Dishonesty and Misconduct Policy: The Labour Studies Program follows SFU policy in relation to grading practices, grade appeals (Policy T 20.01) and academic dishonesty and misconduct procedures (S10.01‐S10.04). Unless otherwise informed by your instructor in writing, in graded written assignments you must cite the sources you rely on and include a bibliography/list of references, following an instructor-approved citation style.  It is the responsibility of students to inform themselves of the content of SFU policies available on the SFU website.

Centre for Accessible Learning: Students with hidden or visible disabilities who believe they may need classroom or exam accommodations are encouraged to register with the SFU Centre for Accessible Learning (1250 Maggie Benston Centre) as soon as possible to ensure that they are eligible and that approved accommodations and services are implemented in a timely fashion.

Materials

MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:

Please see SFU Bookstore website for information on textbook purchase options.

REQUIRED READING:

Bryman, A., & Bell, E. (2019). Social Research Methods: Fifth Canadian Edition. Oxford University Press.

Kellstedt, P. M., & Whitten, G. D. (2018). The Fundamentals of Political Science Research [3rd edition]. Cambridge University Press.

RECOMMENDED READING:

Kellstedt, P. M., & Whitten, G. D. (2020). An SPSS Companion for the Third Edition of The Fundamentals of Political Science Research. Cambridge University Press.

Leedy, P. D., & Ormrod, J. E. (2018). Practical Research: Planning and Design [12th edition]. Prentice-Hall.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating.  Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the University community.  Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the University. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the University. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

TEACHING AT SFU IN FALL 2020

Teaching at SFU in fall 2020 will be conducted primarily through remote methods. There will be in-person course components in a few exceptional cases where this is fundamental to the educational goals of the course. Such course components will be clearly identified at registration, as will course components that will be “live” (synchronous) vs. at your own pace (asynchronous). Enrollment acknowledges that remote study may entail different modes of learning, interaction with your instructor, and ways of getting feedback on your work than may be the case for in-person classes. To ensure you can access all course materials, we recommend you have access to a computer with a microphone and camera, and the internet. In some cases your instructor may use Zoom or other means requiring a camera and microphone to invigilate exams. If proctoring software will be used, this will be confirmed in the first week of class.

Students with hidden or visible disabilities who believe they may need class or exam accommodations, including in the current context of remote learning, are encouraged to register with the SFU Centre for Accessible Learning (caladmin@sfu.ca or 778-782-3112).