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Course Module Information
Course Modules
SP694: The Power of Story and Narrative: Researching Our Lives
Semester 2 | Credits: 5
This course is an introduction to qualitative, narrative inquiry with a focus on biographical research. It is organized around the theory, method and practice of socio-biography. The seminar is practice and project based; of interest to those who want to advance knowledge and practice socio-biographical and narrative inquiry research methods.
Theory, methods and practices of socio-biographical research
1. Sources and Methods
Documents of life (auto/biography, archives, letters, diaries, images, talk and text)
Finding, collecting and eliciting socio-biographical stories
Interpreting, Analysing and Writing socio-biographical stories
2. Issues
Narrative: Linking Biography and History
Narrator-Listener interactions
Ethical Issues
3. Analysis, Representation
Biographical and Thematic analysis
4. Presentation: Project Work
(Language of instruction: English)
Learning Outcomes
- To introduce students to scholarly debates and practices on the use of socio-biographical narrative in the social sciences
- To familiarize students to the different forms of narrative; life stories, personal narratives, auto/biography, community narratives, family history….and the various media in which stories can be conveyed; oral, visual and written.
- To develop student research skills.
Assessments
- Department-based Assessment (100%)
Teachers
- ANNE BYRNE:
Research Profile |
Email
- CATHERINE DONOHUE:
Research Profile |
Email
- NUALA DONOHUE:
Research Profile |
Email
- EAMONN FUREY:
Research Profile |
Email
Reading List
- "Doing Narrative Research. Sage" by Andrews, M., Squire, C. and Tamboukou. M
ISBN: 300.72 DOI. - "Handbook of Narrative Inquiry: mapping a methodology" by Clandinin, D.J
ISBN: 001.42 HAN. - "Narratives in Social Science Research (Introducing Qualitative Methods series)" by Czarniawska, B.
ISBN: 300.72 CZA.
Publisher: Sage: UK - "Researching Life Stories and Family Histories" by Miller, R.L
ISBN: 929.1 MIL.
Publisher: UK: Sage - "Walking Methods: Research on the Move." by O’Neill, M and Brian Roberts
Publisher: Routledge
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.