Purpose: In France at the high school the subject matter "Sciences Économiques et Sociales" (economic and social sciences) deals with the present economic crisis. We study the ways it is taught about: words, and explanatory patterns. Design/methodology/approach: We use a specific approach, that we call "semantic holism",…

This paper describes an innovative and replicable approach to teaching qualitative research through archived oral histories. Undergraduates with no research experience were able to pursue individual research questions and prepare a public conference presentation within one semester. In so doing, this approach overcame the barrier of a shortened…

In psychology departments in South Africa, the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) is routinely used for quantitative analysis. While SPSS has a user-friendly interface, it does not permit application of some of the more sophisticated analytic approaches and therefore has limited functionality. The programming language R can perform…

Contains a review of previous research, description of an individualized instruction course developed by the authors, explanation of the research design of their experiment, the results, and the theoretical and practical implications of the experiment. (Author/ND)

Maintains that the recent introduction of SPSS for Windows allows for data analysis to be employed in substantive courses as well as methods courses. Describes the use of the program in upper-division sociology classes where substantive themes are developed in depth. Presents and discusses several classroom activities using the program. (CFR)

This class manual for "Information Resources in the Social Sciences," a class offered at the Graduate School of Library and Information Science of the University of Texas at Austin introduces the objectives of the course, an exploration of various fields in the social sciences and the English-language reference tools of the social…

Examines whether the informed consent and ethical principles often applied to research are applicable to student participation in college courses. Concludes that providing information on course content, grading policies, assignments, goals, and teaching philosophy and techniques may increase respect for the profession and facilitate professors'…

Reports results of a study designed to assess the effects of organizing a physical geography course according to the General Theory of Systems in order to help students think about the environment in more holistic terms. Concludes that more committed, achievement-oriented students did better under this approach, while those with a nonacademic…

Describes a two-semester course in fieldwork taught by the author in several universities. The first semester is entirely classroom-based, with students required to read heavily on all aspects of research design, methods, analysis, and problems. The second semester is a structured, qualitative fieldwork study. (GC)

This document provides information about an undergraduate course that introduces college students to major social, economic, and political influences that have affected the demographic structure of the nation's population over the last four decades. The course permits students, working in small teams, to investigate the ways in which changes in…

Describes and evaluates college level political science at the University of Santa Clara which promotes social science research as an integral part of the baccalaureate program. (Author/DB)

Discusses the rationale, structure, and experiences of a graduate sociology seminar in bibliographical methods for document research. (CWM)

Two papers are presented--a summary and a lengthier description of an interdisciplinary college-level liberal arts course. Both papers are intended for use by humanities and social science teachers as they develop and implement interdisciplinary and competency-based curricula. Five areas of academic competency serve as course objectives. These are…

Discusses the curriculum design and instructional goals of an undergraduate urban anthropology service course with a heterogeneous student composition. Compares the pedagogical techniques used with Bruner's theory of instruction. (CJM)

Discusses pros and cons of "personal anthropology" as a teaching tool for university students, particularly in a small town. Reviews the social history of "city forming" and "city maintaining" processes in Oswego, NY, and illustrates how beginning undergraduates can study these processes. (CJM)