This course exposes students to qualitative research methods in science and technology studies. Methodology describes a process for conceptualizing, collecting, and organizing evidence. Part of this new course will be a survey of methodological traditions in science and technology studies and associated fields (sociology, anthropology, cultural studies, feminist and critical race studies, performance and design studies, philosophy and history of science) that guide the collection and interpretation of evidence about scientific knowledge and practices, the relationships between users and technologies, and broader scientific institutions and technical infrastructures. Specific methodologies include ethnography, archival and discourse analysis, social worlds analysis, comparative historical and genealogical analysis, abductive analysis, and visual culture and media analysis. The other main part of the course will culminate in presentation-ready small-scale individual and group research projects utilizing qualitative research methods. |