SOC6713H: Qualitative Methods II

This seminar analyzes the politics and practices of qualitative interviewing in local and global contexts. By addressing both its technical and theoretical aspects, the course examines: 1) the roles of qualitative interviewing in knowledge production and reproduction; 2) the constructive process and the inter-subjective dynamic of qualitative interviewing; 3) the technical aspects of asking questions and beyond; 4) doing reflexivity, hearing data, and interpreting silences. Using primary interview data about immigrant families from the Caribbean, China, Italy, and Sri Lanka, students will acquire first hand experience of doing qualitative interviewing by: 1) reading, commenting on, and revising good examples and mistakes from transcripts of 39 immigrant interviews; 2) carrying out and reflecting upon an in-class interview practicum; 3) analyzing interview process, coding interview transcript, and writing reflective essays; 4) engaging in and opening to constructive criticism.

0.50
St. George