Introduction to Social Science
Instructors
SATO, Chiaki
ORSI, Robert
SHIROYAMA, Hideaki
Credits / Language / Semester
2Credits / English / Winter
Objectives/Overview
The course provides an overview of epistemological and methodological concepts, issues and techniques concerning the production of scientifically relevant knowledge in the domain of social sciences. It is designed and intended for an audience of post-graduate doctoral students coming from both quantitative and qualitative backgrounds, therefore including students of natural and applied sciences. It proceeds from the illustration of key basic concepts in defining research activities and production of knowledge, with particular reference to their historical evolution in philosophical debates, to the clarification of methodological choices for a number of social science disciplines, to the exploration of themes which are contingent to methodological questions, such as methodological pluralism and interdisciplinarity, ethics of scientific research and effective communication.
Keywords
Schedule
Day 1 (Feb. 15)
Lecture 1: Introduction to the Course
Lecture 2: Science, Epistemology and Methodology
Lecture 3: Methodology of Social Sciences
Lecture 4: Stages of Social Science Research.
Day 2 (Feb. 16)
Lecture 5: Quantitative Methods (Guest Speaker: Prof. Atsuo Kishimoto)
Lecture 6: Qualitative Methods
Lecture 7: Methodological Pluralism and Eclecticism
Lecture 8: Methodology and Teamwork
Day 3 (Feb. 22)
Lecture 9: Methodological Problems in the Study of Technology's Social Impact (Guest Speaker: Prof. David Cope)
Lecture 10: Methodological Problems in Nuclear Industry and Nuclear Energy Policy (Guest Speaker: Prof. Tatsujiro Suzuki)
Lecture 11: Methodological Problems in Food Safety ( Guest Speaker: Ms. Makiko Matsuo)
Day 4 (Feb. 23)
Lecture 12: Social Science and Social Policy
Lecture 13: Ethics of Social Science Research
Lecture 14: Social Science and Effective Communication
Lecture 15: Wrap-up Lecture
Teaching Methods
Lecture, Discussion, Group Presentation by Students, Small Assignments, and Guest Speakers.
Grading
Assessment will be based on class participation, group presentation and a final report.
Reference Books
Gerring, J. Social Science Methodology. A Unified Framework, Second Edition, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2012.
Singh, K. Quantitative Social Research Methods. Los Angeles, CA: Sage, 2007.
Packer, M. The Science of Qualitative Research, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2011.
(etc...) TBD