General provisions

The course is included in the Master's Programme in Religion in Peace and Conflict and in the Master's Programme in Theology and Religious Studies.

Entry requirements

A Bachelor's degree where the main field of study accounts for at least 90 credits in Theology, History-Philosophy, Linguistics, Law, Educational Sciences or Social Sciences, or the equivalent. The main field of study should include an independent project of at least 15 credits.

Learning outcomes

On completion of the course, the student is expected to be able to:

• develop a critical approach to understanding different methodological traditions and their research implications;
• identify and understand the possibilities and limitations of different qualitative and quantitative methods for data-gathering and data-analysis
• apply discourse-analytical tools on selected texts;
• critically discuss preconditions and results related to Participatory Action Research;
• plan and discuss choice of method for a chosen research project in the form of a case study;
• demonstrate an ability to reflect on ethical issues with regard to methods and the role of the researcher in empirical research.

Content

The course trains students in the choice and application of relevant methods for research on religiously and ethically based engagement among individuals and in society. The course primarily teaches theories and methods such as action research, text analysis and qualitative and quantitative methods. The course also develops the student's ability to reflect ethically on issues related to empirical research.

Instruction

The course is a distance-learning course. The students must fulfil written assignment and on-line seminar within specified time. Students have the right to compensate for one missed assignment or seminar. Contact between teachers and students takes place via a learning platform. An Internet connect computer is essential.

Assessment

The course is assessed on the basis of active participation in seminar discussions and written assignments.

If there are special reasons for doing so, an examiner may make an exception from the method of assessment indicated and allow a student to be assessed by another method. An example of special reasons might be a certificate regarding special pedagogical support from the University's disability coordinator.

Other regulations

Please note that the stated teaching methods may be replaced by self-studies if there is a very low number of students.

Transitional provisions

Students retain the right to be examined on the course according to this syllabus for 3 semesters after their course instance has ended. Normally, instruction will be given according to the latest version of the course syllabus only.