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The purpose of this course is to help graduate students (MA and PhD candidates) develop skills necessary for setting up an effective research design, writing a proposal, and articulating their research findings in writing. The objectives include both the enhancement of students’ analytical and critical skills and their writing capabilities. This is a hands-on course in which students are expected to put in practice the principles and guidelines they read about in the texts assigned and that we discuss in class.
By the end of the semester students will be able to: · understand a writing assignment · draft a literature review · design research questions · match research questions to the right method · design a schedule of research activities · draft a proposal (this may be an essay, but generally anticipates discussing your own research) · design the outline of research paper · evaluate peers’ proposals and research papers The emphasis will be on qualitative research methods which is usually underfunded. Last update: Miller Sean Mark, MA et MA (03.08.2023)
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Final essay: 3000 words + minimum of 5 scholarly references Topic: any relevant topic in the social sciences, feasible for a short essay Course Requirements: · Attend all classes · Complete all (homework) assignments · Complete all readings · Participate in class discussion · Complete a research proposal or a research paper by the end of the exam period · Meet with professor at least once during the semester
Evaluative scheme final papers
Use of Generative AI Tools in This Course In this course, students are expected to write a final argumentative essay on a contemporary topic of their choice. The essay must present and evaluate arguments for and against the chosen position and reflect the complexity of the issue. Given the increasing availability of generative AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude), the following rules apply to their use: 1. Permitted Uses of AI You may use generative AI tools, with disclosure:
AI can be used as an aid, but it should not replace your own intellectual work! 2. Prohibited Uses of AI You must not use AI to:
Such behavior may be considered plagiarism or academic misconduct and will be addressed in line with Charles University’s academic regulations. 3. Transparency Requirement If you use generative AI in any stage of writing your essay, you must:
4. Further Guidance
Violation of these rules may result in the essay not being accepted or in disciplinary proceedings under Charles University’s regulations.
Last update: Miller Sean Mark, MA et MA (01.10.2025)
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Programme
Class 1: Introduction - Outline writing course - Discussion of objectives and activities - What does it mean to write a good quality paper or proposal?
Readings Ellison, chapter 1.
Class 2: Sociological research paradigms - The importance of research questions - Research paradigms
Readings: Guba, Egon G., and Yvonna S. Lincoln (1994), ‘Competing paradigms in qualitative research’, in: Handbook of qualitative research 2, pp. 163-194.
Reading excerpt: Fuchs, Dieter, and Hans-Dieter Klingemann. "Eastward enlargement of the European Union and the identity of Europe." West European Politics 25.2 (2002): 19-54.
Class 3: Choosing a project - Different types of writings - What is a research paper
Readings: WFS, chapter 1.
Reading excerpt: Nash, Kate. "Human rights, movements and law: On not researching legitimacy." Sociology 46.5 (2012): 797-812.
Class 4: Starting to draft - Critical reading - Problem formulation - Drafting an outline - How to gather materials
Readings: WFS, chapters 2 and 3.
Reading excerpt: Smith, Joe, Tomáš Kostelecký, and Petr Jehlička (2015), ‘Quietly does it: Questioning assumptions about class, sustainability and consumption’, Geoforum.
Class 5: Types of research - Methodologies - Hypothesis formulation - Matching research questions with methodology
Readings: Ellison, chapters 2, 3 and 4.
Reading excerpt: Castiglione, D. et al. (2008), Handbook of social capital, Oxford University Press; Chapter 13, M. Fennema and J. Tillie, ‘Social Capital in Multicultural Societies’.
Class 6: Writing a good paper I - Three elements: clear introduction, argument, conclusions - Making a convincing argument
Readings: Ellison, chapter 5 WFS, chapter 5.
Reading excerpt: Favell, Adrian. Eurostars and Eurocities: Free Moving Urban Professionals in an Integrating Europe. (2008), Wiley.
Class 7: Writing a good paper II - Revising your paper - Submitting the work
Readings: Ellison, chapters 6 and 7 WFS, chapter 5.
Reading excerpt: Crouch, Colin. Post-Democracy Polity (2004).
Class 8: Literature review - How to gather literature - How to use literature
Reading excerpt: Delanty, Gerard. "Conceptions of Europe: a review of recent trends." European journal of social theory 6.4 (2003): 471-488.
Class 10: Other people’s work and feedback - Your argument and the usage of other people’s argument - Using feedback
Readings: Ellison, chapter 8
Class 11: Proper citation and plagiarism - Avoiding improper usage of other people’s work
Readings: WFS, chapter 6.
Reading excerpt: chapter 'EU Democratic Oversight and Domestic Deviation from the Rule of Law: Sociological Reflections', in: C. Closa and D. Kochenov (eds), Reinforcing the Rule of Law Oversight in the European Union, Cambridge University Press.
Class 12: Summary and presentations - Discussion writing process - Discussion final drafts
Last update: Hájek Martin, doc. Mgr., Ph.D. (03.12.2019)
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