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Exam, SUM 3011Fall Semester, 2005

Turn in 3 copies to SUM reception before 1200 on 24. October 2005

You are to answer one of the following three questions.

The quality of your answer is more important than quantity. A length of between 8 and 10 pages at font 12 and with 1.5 line- spacing should be sufficient.

1.What is 'thick description'? Explore what 'thick description' can contribute to theoretical inquiry (the ways we understand the world) that other methodological approaches cannot. In doing so, contrast the advantages and disadvantanges of 'thick description' with those of other forms for research and writing methods that have been addressed in the course.

2.What is meant by 'hard' and 'soft' sciences? Do you think this is a valid distinction? For what purposes is it useful? Support your answers with arguments and examples based on lectures and pensum.

3.Reflect on...

For the last colloquium: Bring the compendium! Some questions worth considering: -What does Lincoln/Guba say about validity, voice and reflexivity? -Does Cresswell, Flyvjerg and/or Taylor say anything about these topics (if so, what?)? -What has been the most challenging topic covered in this course? -And what has been the most stimulating and/or interesting?

In the colloquium on Thursday 29th, we'll discuss one of the questions which was given for the exam last year:

1. In her article entitled “Thick Resistance”, Sherry Ortner makes the statement that “There is life beyond even the most totalizing discourse…” What does she mean to communicate with this statement? Explain the theory of “totalizing discourse” she refers to. What theory does she weigh it against in developing her idea of “thick resistance.” Give two examples of discourses which discipline social agency (from a review of literature or from your own experience). Give examples which show that “there is life beyond even the most totalizing discourse.”

Ortner, Sherry. 1999. ’Thick Resistance: Death and the Cultural Construction of Agency in Himalaya mountaineering’, in S. B. Ortner (ed) The Fate of ’Culture’: Geertz and Beyond. Berkeley: University of California Press.

Questions for discussion in coll. 21.9., based on Wilhite et al:

1) When it comes to socio-culturally grounded research, what is data?

2) What are the advantages and disadvantages of quantitative and qualitative research methods?

3) Given your own disciplines and projects, how could your research make use of qualitative methods?

SUM Party Thursday 22.09 from 6pm-1am, Helga Engs. All SUM students and emplyees are welcome.

The lecture Thursday 15th Sept will be in the seminarroom, Sognsvn 70 5th floor.

Check detailed teaching plan for updates!!

Important: Please read McNeill, Dasgupta AND Reisner (all in reader) before Thursday's lecture! For further reading plans, see "Detailed teaching plan".

For those who did not attend the first colloquium: Questions for discussion and an article by McNeill can be picked up in SUM's reception. This will be the topic of the next colloquium, Wed 7th.

The compendium will be available in Akademika, Blindern, from Friday (2.9.) afternoon, 2pm!!

Colloqiums with Guro are held on Wednesdays between 12-2pm from Wednesday 7 September.

TO ALL MASTER STUDENTS TAKING 3011 COURSE: Nina Witoszek's office hours This is to confirm that Nina Witoszek's office hours are held on Wednesdays between 10-12am. In case Nina is away Tiina Ruohonen, her assistant, will be available to address all the questions. Tiina's number: 90983161.

SUM3011-Fredagspils-kickoff! Right after the first colloquium on Fri 26th we'll cool down with a beer, or whatever you'd like, at Cafe Abel. To celebrate the fresh start as Master Students (or "40-gruppen") at SUM. Maria and Guro will join.

The syllabus is now available at the course website. The compendium will be available at Akademika bookshop from Wednesday, hopefully. Refer the library in the meantime.

Please read all of the assigned literature for Jennifer Schirmer's lectures before the colloquium on the 26th! Guro

To all students taking 3011 course: Please note that the first colloqium with Guro will take place on Friday 26 August between 2-4pm at SUM (Sognsveien 68), fourth floor.

First lecture: 25 August, 13.15 - 15.00h