PHUV9340 Discourses and Power Course description

A practical course in analyzing text and talk.

Approved by the Doctoral Committee October 25, 2018. Minor changes approved 27.04.2020.

This is a practical course where the students will be offered analytical tools to carry out analyses of documents, observations and/or interviews on the topics of their own research, in comparison with leading discourses as well as research knowledge and other contextual aspects. The course will also focus on strategies for discussing explanations and implications of findings. The content of the course is based on a combination of insights to discourses and power from social sciences and humanities.

After completion of the course, the student will have acquired the following learning outcomes, defined as knowledge, skills and general competence.

Knowledge

The student

• has knowledge of the historical, epistemological, and methodological issues connected to different perspectives on Educational Design Research and Design-Based Research

• has understanding of principles and questions for selecting Educational Design Research and distinguishing between related methodologies

• has knowledge of current issues and research in the educational sciences related to EDR, including ethical considerations, the role of the researcher, and the roles of partners and participants

Skills

The student

• can plan and develop research designs following EDR principles
• can make choices about methods for data collection and analysis within EDR projects
• can identify key considerations for working with partners in authentic settings to carry our EDR projects

General competence

The student

• can develop nuanced readings and critiques of current EDR research literature

• can integrate EDR methodologies into the candidates own research projects

On completion of the course, the student will have achieved the following learning outcomes:

Knowledge;

The student;

• has in-depth knowledge about analyzing text and talk and their main research traditions.
• has in-depth knowledge of theories and conceptualisations about the relationship between discourses; and power.

Skills

The student

• has gained methodological competence to skillfully outline a discourse analysis based on own empirical material, as a core content of a paper aimed at publication in a research journal.

General competence;

The student

• can identify and establish constructive connections between theories, empirical data, and methods based on developed methodological competence.

The course consists of two parts. Students are expected to participate actively in both parts.

The first part consists of a two-days workshop at OsloMet with mandatory participation. In lectures and discussions the students will be introduced to relevant theories and methods.

The last part is a one-day workshop at OsloMet a few weeks later. This is also mandatory. External students will be given the opportunity to participate by electronic means.

Between the two parts, the students will write an individual paper that outlines how they may conduct an analysis based on knowledge and skills from the course and own empirical material. These papers will in part two be discussed with fellow students and teachers.;

Preparations for the course

Students are expected to read the syllabus before the first part of the course to be able to participate actively in discussions.

Work requirements

Mandatory participation at the two-days workshop in the first part of the course.

Mandatory participation at the one-day workshop in the last part of the course. External students will be given the opportunity to participate by electronic means.

Attendence

80 % attendence of the time of the course is required. If a student has attended at least 60 % of the course but less than 80 %, he/she must submit an extra paper of at least 3000 words plus reference list on a given topic.

The student writes an individual paper (as described in the section "Teaching and working methods") of between 3000 - 5000 words plus reference liste. The paper must be written in English, Norwegian, Swedish, or Danish. The deadline for submission will be 10 days before part two of the course.;

New and postponed examination

If a paper is not graded with "pass", the student must submit a revised version within a given deadline.

This course addresses different forms of Educational Design Research (EDR) and the related term Design-Based Research (DBR), providing participants with a foundation in the theoretical and historical underpinnings of EDR. The course provides examples of EDR projects by the course leaders including the different steps and considerations that go in to planning such studies. Finally, the course emphasizes student participation, discussion and getting feedback on their own EDR designs and thesis writing.

Approved by LUI's educational committee 21.06.2021

The paper will be assessed by the course coordinator and a member of the academic staff involved in the PhD program.

Course sessions include lectures, discussions, small group design exercises, and text feedback sessions. The course is planned to take place on two non-consecutive days so that participants have a chance to apply and reflect on the concepts before returning for the second session.