Requirements:
There are two mandatory requirements; two others are optional.
Mandatory:
1) Active Participation in Class Discussions: The course will be run as a seminar, where debate
and discussion are the norm; for each session, written discussion questions will serve as our starting
point. For this format to be successful, students need to read the seminar readings prior to our first
meeting on 19 August.
2) Preparation of Discussion Points: For each class session, students should prepare a brief list
of discussion questions and comments (3-5 in number); these should be based on the readings and
will be distributed to all other seminar participants. (Please make sufficient copies for
distribution!) Your questions/comments should reflect a critical assessment of those readings.
What are their strong and weak points? Their meta-theoretical, theoretical, methodological,
ethical, empirical contributions/limitations? How do they relate to or build upon other readings or
discussions?
Optional:
1) Completion of an Analytic Essay: If students wish to receive ECTS credit for the course, they
must submit an analytic essay. You have two options. (I) Prepare an analytic review on a topic
Page | 2
that is of special interest and is consistent with the course's purpose and theme; or (II) prepare a
draft research design for a PhD project where qualitative methods and process analytics play some
role. In either case, essays should be 6000-10000 words and are due by 29 November 2019. On
the first day of class – Monday, 19 August - students should provide the instructor with a 1-2 page
introduction to their proposed essay. These overviews will then be discussed at one-on-one
meetings on the morning of Wednesday, 21 August, 0900 - 1200, when there will be no formal
class sessions.
2) Participation in Half-Day Workshop: On the afternoon of Wednesday, 21 August, 1315 -
1630, students will have the opportunity to attend a half-day workshop, where, in a hands-on,
group setting they will apply the case/process literature to their own PhD projects.
The workshop – while not required – is open to all course participants. If you wish to have your
dissertation project and its methods discussed at the workshop you need to submit a 3-5 page
overview by Monday, 19 August. The overview should explain/justify your choice of methods
and the practical/data-related/ethical challenges you are encountering as you seek to operationalize
them.
To earn the 10 ECTS credits, students must submit an essay that is marked as "pass".
Costs
The course is free of charge, but students will have to cover their own travel and accommodation costs.
PhD students will normally be prioritized.