The seminar is aimed at doctoral and advanced master students conducting research in urban studies and related disciplines, who are looking for an opportunity to discuss their thesis projects in a supportive environment with both their peers and an interdisciplinary team of researchers. Lecture-type inputs on research design generally and research methodologies in the interdisciplinary field of urban study specifically will provide support to the participants in developing their research theories, questions, hypothesis and methods. Particular focus will be placed on reflecting on the approaches to (social) space in architecture and planning considering the perspectives of urban sociology and cognate fields of public space and urban cultures.
The seminar is structured in two concentrated interactive blocks (for dates see below). Participants will be expected to present their research ideas, progress and open questions or problems in each block. Each presentation will be followed by a solution-oriented discussion on the presented project. Presenters are encouraged to unveil problems instead of successes, and listeners to advise and support their fellow students instead of criticizing them. By receiving and articulating constructive feedback, participants will learn about a range of theories and methods in urban research and develop the capacity to critically engage in the assessment of research projects.
Contemporary urban theory has developed apace over the last decade to consider the complex urban processes and issues that have risen as a result of globalisation, diversification of the economy, socio-demographic shifts, neo liberal political agendas, migration and growing concerns around the environment amongst many other salient issues. Urban studies are increasingly concerned with new theoretical agendas which focus on questions of theorizing everyday life and discussing emerging epistemologies of collective acts of appropriation of (public) urban space. The seminar will place a particular emphasis on urban culture and public space, but contributions on other subjects are welcome.
The seminars will be interactive, delivered in concentrated blocks. Depending on the number of participants, each student will be allocated a 30-minutes slot for discussing her/his work. The students will be expected to prepare a text of 4-6 pages about their research and upload it on the course website at least 10 days in advance, so that teachers and fellow students can prepare for discussion. The nature of the seminars is developmental, designed to help the students with constructive feedback.
The course language is English.
The course is structured in two intensive teaching blocks. Participation is mandatory.
Dates
09.11.16 11-12:30 Kick Off: room WD02B21 (IFIP/SKuOR Besprechungsraum), Alte WU, Augasse 2-6, 1090 Vienna, 2nd floor, Spange D
28.11.16, 09:00-15:30: room WD02B21
30.11.16, 09:00-15:30: room WD02B21
01.12.16, 09:00-15:30: room WD02B21
11.01.17, 09:00-15:30: room WD02B21.
Course Bibliography
Bridge, G and Watson, S (2011) The New Blackwell Companion to the City. Wiley. (Part Introductions)
Bryman, A. (2015) Social Research Methods. Oxford University Press. Section The Research Process, Point 1 (The Nature and Process of Social Research) Point 3 (Research Design) and Point 4 (Planning a research project and formulating research questions), Pp. 2-15, 39-89.
Deinet, U. (Ed.) (2009):Methodenbuch Sozialraum. VS Verlag für Sozialwissenschaften, Wiesbaden
Deming, M. E.; Swaffield, S. R. (2011):Landscape Architectural Research: Inquiry, Strategy, Design. John Wiley & Sons, New Jersey
Groat, L. and Wang, D. (2002):Architectural Research Methods. John Wiley & Sons, New York
Johnson et. al. (2004) The Practice of Cultural Studies. Sage. Section Groundings (Pp. 26-43, on methodological combination) and Section Make Space! Spatial dimensions in cultural research (Pp. 104-118)
Peat, J et al (2013) Scientific Writing. Easy when you know how. BMJ Books
Saukko, P (2003) Combining Methodologies in Cultural Studies. An Introduction to Classical and New Methodological Appraoches. Sage. Pp.1-36 (Thinking Methodologically
Silverman, D. (2010):Doing Qualitative Research. Sage Publications, Thousand Oaks
Yin, R. K. (2012):Applications of Case Study Research. Sage Publications, Thousand Oaks
Please consider the plagiarism guidelines of TU Wien when writing your seminar paper:
http://www.tuwien.ac.at/fileadmin/t/ukanzlei/t-ukanzlei-english/Plagiarism.pdfPlease consider the plagiarism guidelines of TU Wien when writing your seminar paper:
Directive concerning the handling of plagiarism (PDF)Please consider the plagiarism guidelines of TU Wien when writing your seminar paper:
Directive concerning the handling of plagiarism (PDF)
Presentations, text of 4-6 pages about own research
Criteria for evaluation: Deepness of analysis, engagement in the discussions, reflection and self-reflection, creating an own position, ability to take criticism; degree of reflection on researcher¿s role, processes, methods, designs, pitfalls and aporias.