2024 Courses
For course schedule and further information, contact courses @ indologyacademy.org
Methodology in Social Sciences and Humanities (Summer 2024)
Course Cost: $900/semester (Rs. 25,000 for scholars located in India)
Course Description:
This fourteen-week course (one semester) comprehensively examines the methodologies utilized in social sciences and humanities disciplines. Students will explore the theoretical frameworks, research methodologies, and analytical approaches unique to these fields, gaining a deep understanding of the diverse methods employed to investigate and interpret human behavior, society, culture, and history with a focus on the Indian subcontinent. Students will develop the critical thinking skills and methodological expertise necessary to engage in rigorous academic research across the social sciences and humanities through theoretical discussions, practical exercises, case studies, and interdisciplinary analyses.
Topics:
1. Introduction to Research in Social Sciences and Humanities: Understanding the interdisciplinary nature of research, defining research questions, and identifying relevant methodologies.
2. Research Design and Methodological Approaches: Exploring various research designs, including experimental, observational, qualitative, quantitative, survey, archival, and comparative methods.
3. Data Collection Techniques: Survey methods, interviews, oral histories, ethnography, archival research, textual analysis, and digital humanities approaches.
4. Data Analysis in Social Sciences and Humanities: Quantitative analysis techniques include statistical and qualitative methods.
5. Mixed Methods Research: Integrating quantitative and qualitative approaches, identifying synergies, and addressing challenges in interdisciplinary research.
6. Ethics and Research Integrity: Ethical considerations in social science and humanities research, including informed consent, confidentiality, power dynamics, and cultural sensitivity.
7. Writing and Presenting Research: Academic writing conventions in social sciences and humanities, crafting research proposals, scholarly articles, and conference presentations.
8. Interdisciplinary Perspectives: Exploring intersections between social sciences and humanities disciplines, interdisciplinary research trends, and collaborative methodologies.
9. Critical Evaluation of Research: Assessing the validity, reliability, and impact of research studies in social sciences and humanities, identifying biases, and engaging in critical reflection.
10. Research in Practice: Undertaking a small-scale research project applying methodological principles learned throughout the course, from conceptualization to dissemination.
Learning Outcomes:
Upon completion of the course, students will be able to:
– Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the methodologies employed in social sciences and humanities research.
– Design and implement research projects drawing on appropriate methodological approaches from both fields.
– Collect, analyze, and interpret data using various qualitative and quantitative techniques.
– Navigate ethical considerations inherent in social sciences and humanities research and uphold standards of research integrity.
– Communicate research findings effectively through written reports, presentations, and other scholarly formats.
– Critically evaluate research studies from interdisciplinary perspectives, identifying strengths, limitations, and opportunities for further inquiry.
Prerequisites: None, although familiarity with social science and humanities concepts is beneficial.
Students will need to dedicate three hours per week for the fourteen-week duration; this includes class time and independent reading. This course suits undergraduate and graduate students across social science and humanities disciplines who seek to develop their methodological skills and engage in interdisciplinary research.
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Writing in the Discipline: Humanities and Social Sciences (Fall 2024)
Course Cost: $900/semester (Rs. 25,000 for scholars located in India)
Course Description:
This fourteen-week course (one semester) is designed to equip students with the writing skills and conventions necessary to succeed in the humanities and social sciences. Through a combination of theoretical discussions, practical writing exercises, peer review sessions, and instructor feedback, students will develop proficiency in academic writing, critical thinking, and research communication tailored to the specific requirements of their fields. Emphasizing clarity, coherence, argumentation, and citation practices, this course will empower students to produce scholarly writing that meets the rigorous standards of academic inquiry in the humanities and social sciences.
Topics Covered:
1. Introduction to Academic Writing: Understanding the conventions and expectations of scholarly writing in the humanities and social sciences.
2. Writing Processes: Strategies for prewriting, drafting, revising, and editing academic papers.
3. Crafting Clear and Coherent Arguments: Developing thesis statements, constructing logical arguments, and organizing ideas effectively.
4. Incorporating Evidence: Integrating primary and secondary sources to support arguments, paraphrasing, summarizing, and citing academic sources correctly.
5. Critical Reading and Analysis: Engaging with scholarly texts critically, identifying key arguments, and evaluating evidence and methodologies.
6. Writing Across Genres: Academic essays, literature reviews, research papers, case studies, annotated bibliographies, and other scholarly genres.
7. Style and Voice: Developing a scholarly voice, enhancing clarity and coherence, and adapting writing style to different audiences and purposes.
8. Conventions of Citation and Referencing: Understanding citation styles (e.g., APA, MLA, Chicago), creating bibliographies, and avoiding plagiarism.
9. Peer Review and Revision: Providing constructive feedback to peers, revising drafts based on feedback, and improving writing through iterative processes.
10. Professionalization and Publication: Navigating the publication process, preparing manuscripts for submission to academic journals, and engaging with disciplinary communities.
Learning Outcomes:
By the end of the course, students will be able to:
– Demonstrate proficiency in academic writing conventions specific to the humanities and social sciences.
– Formulate clear and persuasive arguments supported by evidence from scholarly sources.
– Engage critically with academic texts and synthesize ideas from multiple sources.
– Use appropriate citation and referencing practices to acknowledge sources and avoid plagiarism.
– Revise and edit their writing effectively in response to feedback and peer review.
– Communicate research findings and insights to academic audiences in a scholarly manner.
– Understand the professional standards and practices associated with scholarly publication in their disciplines.
Prerequisites: None, although a basic familiarity with research methods and disciplinary concepts is recommended.
Students will need to dedicate three hours per week for the fourteen-week duration; this includes class time and independent reading.. This course is suitable for undergraduate and graduate students pursuing degrees in humanities and social sciences disciplines and researchers and professionals seeking to enhance their academic writing skills in these fields.