Course Syllabus
This doctoral seminar is open to PhD students in all programs. Advanced masters students are encouraged to attend the first class, but must have the professor's permission to enroll. If you are a masters student who would like to enroll, please sign up to meet with Erica, or email her for an alternate meeting time, before September 13 (last date to add a class).
The seminar engages students in a wide-ranging exploration of qualitative and mixed-method research techniques, with a particular focus on the intersection of place and publics in research related to historic preservation, urban planning, and architecture. In addition to examining research paradigms such as grounded theory, participatory action, ethnography, etc., this seminar will delve into issues and methods associated with the co-production of knowledge, and the ethical and practical considerations of researching with, rather than collecting data from, diverse publics.
The course provides a broad introduction to research methods, their implications, and associated ethical considerations. It is oriented toward the doctoral-level student, to make them aware of the methods they might utilize in their own research and to evaluate the research done by others. As a learning experience situated in the academy and using formally published literature, it seeks to familiarize students with the work of the researcher from a perspective largely rooted in scholarship. It also encourages students to question and critique methods of research, and to recognize that many knowledges and ways of knowing may be excluded from scholarly canons and methodological approaches.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
Class Participation: Because this is a seminar, active and informed participation in class discussions is critical. In-person attendance at all classes is expected. Anyone who knows in advance that they will miss class should let the professor know as soon as possible.
Readings: To be an active participant in class, it is imperative that each individual keep up with the weekly module readings and prepare their thoughts and questions to bring to the discussions.
Discussion Leaders: Each student will be required to lead 1 to 3 class discussions during the semester (a sign up sheet will be established once registration is finalized). While all students are expected to come to class with thoughts and questions generated by the readings, the discussion leader is expected to initiate and help facilitate class dialogue by sharing their insights on the readings and topic, suggesting guiding questions for interrogation, and identifying contradictions or threads across readings or in relation to past weekly topics.
Assignments: The following assignments are required; specific instructions will be discussed in class and posted on Courseworks.
- Proposed Study – Prepare a proposal for a study (max. 1500 words) using grounded theory, case study, historical/cultural, design/creative practice, and/or PAR research (due November 7).
- Interview of Focus Group Analysis – Prepare a proposed protocol for an interview or focus group on a topic of your choice, to be presented and discussed in class for feedback on November 17. Undertake the interview/focus groups and prepare a written analysis (max. 2000 words) of the interview/focus group (due December 12)
- Content or Discourse Analysis – Prepare a written content or discourse analysis (max. 2000 words) of your choice using secondary, non-scholarly sources (due December 12).
Human Subjects Research Training: All students must complete Human Subjects Research Training by November 5, if they have not already completed it (training certifications lasts for 3 years). The course, Human Subjects Protection Training (TC0087), is offered online through Columbia and takes about 2 hours. The online course is set up as a series of modules, most required and some elective. For your research track, please select Social/Behavioral Research. For your electives, please be sure to include Students in Research. For those students who anticipate doing research abroad at some point, you should also include the International Research elective.
For instructions on how to register for and access the training course, see: https://research.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/content/RCT%20content/TC0087_Instructions.pdf
For answers to frequently asked questions, see: https://research.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/content/RCT%20content/HSP_FAQs.pdf
GRADING
Class Participation: 20%
Proposed Study: 20%
Interview/Focus Group Analysis 30%
Content/discourse Analysis 30%
Grading will consider the student’s ability to undertake substantive independent or collaborative research, think critically and analytically, express ideas effectively through written and oral communication, demonstrate proficient understanding of the subject matter, and apply concepts with rigor and creativity.
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY
This course will adhere strictly to GSAPP’s Plagiarism Policy. For additional resources regarding academic integrity, please see guidance from the Provost and the Center for Teaching and Learning. In addition, to respect the privacy and intellectual property of both students and faculty, no recordings of lectures, presentations, or class discussions may be shared with anyone other than those enrolled in the course, per University Policy.
Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools is not permitted in this course. As noted in the University’s Generative AI Policy, these tools may be unreliable, inaccurate, biased, outdated, copyrighted, and without proper citations. Use of generative AI may be grounds for failure and/or disciplinary actions.
AI may be used in this course for copyediting purposes only. Any use for copyediting must be appropriately acknowledged and the platform cited in the assignment deliverable. Please be aware that each student is responsible for assessing the validity and applicability of any submitted AI output, and violations of this policy will be considered academic misconduct. If you find yourself uncertain about the appropriate ways and circumstances to employ AI, please feel free to seek guidance from your instructor.
ACADEMIC FREEDOM
Knowledge flourishes when inquiry is free and respectful. This course aims to advance knowledge through discussion, debate, and carefully selected readings and assignments. In accordance with principles of academic freedom promulgated by the American Association of University Professors and affirmed by many universities, including Columbia, the instructor has the authority to set the class syllabus, which may include controversial material relevant to topics being studied. While all participants and their views will be treated respectfully, no one should expect to be shielded from challenging or even upsetting ideas, since thoughtfully engaging such ideas is crucial to free inquiry and intellectual growth.
KEY DELIVERABLE DATES
Nov 5 Complete Human Subjects Research training
Nov 7 Study Proposal due
Nov 17 Interview/Focus group proposal presentations
Dec 12 Interview/focus group analysis and content/discourse analysis due
COURSE SCHEDULE
Sept 8 Qualitative Research
Sept 15 Objects of Study: Places, People, and Social-Spatial Dynamics
Sept 22 Centered and De-Centered: Positionality in Research and Bias in the Archives
Sept 29 Grounded Theory
Oct 6 Case Studies and Representation
Oct 13 History and Material Culture
Oct 20 Design and Creative Practice as Research
Oct 27 Participatory Action Research and Community-Engaged Research
Nov 3 No class
Nov 10 Accountability, Reciprocity, and the Co-Production of Knowledge
Nov 17 Collecting Data from/with People: Interviews and Focus Groups
Nov 24 Content and Discourse Analysis
Dec 1 Ethnographic Methods and Cultural Mapping
Dec 8 Visual Methods
COURSE MODULES and READINGS
Courseworks serves as the primary platform for the course, which is organized in weekly modules. Modules include links to PDFs or online locations of all readings.