UCL - Seminar : Support in Methodology

[COMU2910]

[15h] 2 credits

Teacher(s): Marc Lits, Sarah Sepulchre(supplée Marc Lits)

Language: French

Level: Second

Aims
Main themes
Content and teaching methods
Other information (prerequisite, evaluation (assessment methods), course materials recommended readings, ...)

Aims

To provide students with the methods and techniques necessary for the empirical (essentially content analysis and the quasi-ethnographical approach) and quasi-experimental approach to the products and processes of communication and their effects.

Main themes

The various topics addressed will be integrated into the elaboration of students end-of-course studies, and into epistemological reflection. Students will also be involved through exercises in the implementation of methodological procedures.

Content and teaching methods

The aim of the course is to provide students with the methods and techniques necessary for the elaboration of their end-of-study paper. The curse will begin with a presentation of various kinds of work that exists in Communication and the level they will have to reach. Following sessions will present tools and methods necessary to their empirical approach (essentially content analysis, observation, narratological and pramatical approaches) and to the building of the theorical reflexion. Last sessions will be focused on scientifical and argumentative writing.
Exercice session will be lead by assistants and will help students to progress in their concret work : choose of the topic, first researches et thought about the structure of the paper.

Other information (prerequisite, evaluation (assessment methods), course materials recommended readings, ...)

Assessment methods
Sessions including exercises and supervision to help 'launch' the end-of-course thesis. The course will require supervision from Assistants. Assessment will be ongoing.
Course materials
Michèle Lenoble-Pinson's book (La rédaction scientifique : conception, rédaction, présentation, signalétique, De Boeck, 1996), François Dépelteau's book (La démarche d'une recherche en sciences humaines. De la question de départ à la communication des résultats, De Boeck, 2000) and Bernard Pochet's book (Méthodologie documentaire : rechercher, consulter, rédiger à l'heure d'Internet, De Boeck, 2006) will be the basis of the teaching. Theses books are available in various libraries of the UCL. Some theorical books will complete the course punctualy.
Students will receive a list of books of reference available in the libraries. Students will be invited to consult regularly icampus where we will publish some pedagogical documents (summary, slides, texts).