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Research Applications in Social Sciences Field Trip to Dakar (Level 6)

Overview

  • Credit value: 30 credits at Level 6
  • Convenor and tutor: Prof Karen Wells
  • Assessment: research journal entries (60%) and a 1000-word written report (40%)

Module description

In this module you will deepen your understanding of globalisation, cultural change, urbanisation and economic development, while also developing skills in the application of research methods in the field. Focusing on Dakar, Senegal, you will have the opportunity to meet with academics and NGOs to learn about the impact of globalisation and development in practice, including urban planning, new global industries, the gendered impact of development and its environmental impacts.

Prior to the field trip, you will be prepared through lectures on the challenges and ethics of cross-cultural fieldwork. You will also learn about the context of Dakar, and Senegal more broadly, and have the opportunity to develop your own research project through independent study, guided by the module tutor.

The estimated cost of the field trip to Dakar is currently approximately £1500; this is an additional cost to the course fee. It will take place over five days, excluding the day of arrival and departure, during the last week of spring term. The number of places available will be capped at 12. Priority will be given to students studying in the School of Social Sciences and a waiting list will operate once all places have been filled.

Indicative syllabus

  • The social and economic impacts of globalisation
  • Processes of cultural change, with a particular focus on gender
  • Urbanisation and economic development
  • Poverty and managing environmental change

Learning objectives

By the end of this module, you will be able to:

  • understand how a research proposal is structured
  • reflect on how fieldwork experience reshapes understanding of the relationship between social science concepts (e.g. structure, agency, ethnicity, class, gender) and facts ‘on the ground’ including work, housing and markets
  • reflect on how fieldwork develops research skills.