Applied Case-Study Analysis

Course content

The objective of the course is for students to apply their sociological knowledge and research methods skills to a real-life social issue organisations in Denmark are currently grappling with.  Through this applied case study research – students will:
 

  • directly engage with external partners and support them in thinking about the issues they are working on
     
  • gain a better understanding of how organisations function and approach the research and development of solutions to real-life social issues
     
  • develop a stronger awareness of the myriad ways sociological ways of thinking and researching can be ‘put to work’ in real-life work situations
     
  • think further about the world of work they are going to enter upon graduation and develop a keener sense of how they want to make a contribution through employment.

 

 

Education

Mandatory course at 6th semester at BSc Sociology.

The course is not open for either exchange or credit students
 

Please note!
This course will be taught in English and the exam will be in English

 

The teaching in spring 2021 will be online until the 1. of April due to the Covid19 situation.

As soon as it is permitted and justifiable, it is up to the individual lecturer whether to transition to a blended format or wish to continue with full online teaching for the rest of the semester.

The individual lecturer will inform you of the above choice in the Absalon room for each course.

Courses with oral exams will be held online if the relevant restrictions have not been lifted at least four weeks before the individual exam. This will be notified in Absalon.

Courses with written exams will not experience any changes in relation to the normal exam form.

Learning outcome
Knowledge:
 
  • reviewed various approaches to studying a real-life case and ascertained their potentialities and limitations in answering the set question
     
  • considered the ways differently positioned organisations approach researching and developing solutions/initiatives to a real-life issue – the constraints and possibilities they must work within and what impact this has on how they can ask a question, how they can study an issue and the kinds of ‘solutions’ they can propose
     
  • read some literature on the future world of work and through hearing outside speakers, students will be able to link what the literature argues to the real-life experiences of professionals
     
 

Skills:
 

  • able to articulate why a sociological approach to understanding, researching and developing solutions to real life cases can be so generative
     
  • worked collaboratively within a group and across groups to research and develop ideas for tackling a large social issue collectively
     
  • undertaken research on a real-life case study – being able to justify the approach taken
     
  • written a summary of their case study findings suited to the template developed between the course leader and external partner
     
  • able to assess information given by the external partner on the case study they are involved in, and determine what further information is needed
     
  • present the findings of their case study research to a larger audience – verbally and in writing
 
 

Competencies:
 

  • work collaboratively within a group to develop a research timeline that fits the requirements of the task, while also coordinating across groups to ensure the various elements of the larger case study can be brought together in time
     
  • interpret and translate research findings into an accessible format that fits the template requirements agreed with the external partner.

The module will consist of short lectures, inter-active discussion, hearing outside speakers and engaging them in discussion, group work on the allocated research case study.

Students will engage with literature on ‘doing case study research’, sustainability’ or ’food consumption’ (depending on the specific focus of their case study research), and ‘the world of work’.

Knowledge of different sociological theories and research methods.

Although elements of the course will be delivered in English by the course leader, the external speakers, research conducted by the students, final research reports produced, the individually-written reflective piece, and most interactions during sessions will be in Danish.

Continuous feedback during the course of the semester
  • The course convener will work closely with the students to ascertain their experience of the course, further areas they require support on.
     
  • Students will work in groups collaboratively to conceptualise, implement, analysis and write up their case study research.
ECTS
7,5 ECTS
Type of assessment
Course participation under invigilation
Active participation on this course is consisting of three elements:

1. Being a member of an allocated research group and contributing to the work. Progress with the allocated research will be monitored by the course leader.

2. As a group, students will need to produce a final research document in the specified format agreed with the external partner. Involvement in the production of the document is required.

3. As individuals, students will need to produce a final document (max. 2 pages) where they reflect on how their sociological knowledge and skills (professionalism) can be presented as valuable to future employers, and the future career trajectory they intend to pursue post-graduation.
Marking scale
passed/not passed
Censorship form
No external censorship
Criteria for exam assessment

Please see the learning outcome

  • Category
  • Hours
  • Lectures
  • 42
  • Preparation
  • 164
  • English
  • 206