Draft of Class Master Syllabus

This is a draft of the proposed master syllabus for the class that will accompany our service learning trip. It gives you a good idea of what to expect:

Catalog Description: This course will incorporate a service learning field experience to Slidell, Louisiana and instructor guidance in learning and performing qualitative field research during that experience.

Prerequisite(s)/Corequisite(s ): Instructor permission and participation in the service learning field experience to Slidell, Louisiana which will be conducted from 18 May 2008 until 23 May 2008.

Text(s): Seidman, Irving (2006), Interview as qualitative research: a guide for researchers in education and the social sciences, Teachers College Press; 3red edition. ISBN 10: 0807746665

Course Objectives: • To explore the styles and methodologies of qualitative interviewing.
• To apply qualitative methodologies in an actual field experience.
• To understand the ethical and legal guidelines for performing interviews.
• To experience an actual qualitative research project.
• To work cooperatively with the research team and assigned partner.
• To produce an actual artifact of qualitative research in the form of a recorded (videotaped) interview.


Measurable Learning
Outcomes:
• Successfully complete the service learning project trip to Slidell, Louisiana.
• Complete one videotaped interview as the interviewer.
• Complete one videotaped interview as the videographer/equipment operator.
• Describe the commonly used styles and methodologies of qualitative interviewing.
• Define and follow the ethical and legal guidelines for interviewing participants including human subjects safeguards.
• Participate in the analysis of the data including the identification of thematic connections.
• Explain the comparative strengths and weakness of qualitative research and quantitative research.
• Document the experience in a formal written paper.

Topical Outline (major areas of coverage): Note: This class will emphasize writing in the APA format and students are expected to improve their research and writing skills.

• Overview of human services response to natural disaster.
• Overview of the role of key agencies to natural disaster in the United States.
• Hurricane Katrina – impact and ongoing issues with an emphasis on vulnerable populations.
• Focus on Slidell, Louisiana and its recovery efforts.
• Focus on New Orleans, Louisiana and its recovery efforts with an emphasis on the 9th Ward.
• The purpose of interviewing in qualitative research.
• Structure for in-depth, phenomenological interviewing.
• Proposing research.
• Establishing access to participants, making contacts, and selecting participants.
• Human Subjects, institutional review, and informed consent.
• Technique and listening skills.
• Structured and non-structured techniques.
• Analyzing, interpreting, and sharing interview material
• Basics of vidiography and mini digital video medium.
• Basics of sound engineering and editing.
• Story boarding.
• Basic introduction to documentary film making.