Social Science As A Vocation and An Academic Voice: Reflecting Upon the Operationalisation of Social Science Concepts and Methods for Doctoral Research

Abstract:

This seminar builds on the last semester’s  class on research design. Participation in last semester’s class is desirable,  however, it is not a condition for participation in this semester’s class.  While the previous class focussed directly on the discussion of how to plan and  organise research projects based on clearly identified research objects based on theory, methodology, and research methods, this class addresses the  recursive aspect of academic research. To that end, we discuss the principles  of reflexivity, responsibility and more generally good academic citizenship. This class, too, therefore offers extensive discussion of readings that lie at the intersection between research practice and theory-building. Notably, research practice is broadly conceived as the state of ‘desk-study’ and/or ‘field-work’. The focus of the class will prove beneficial for PhD students who have been or are about to engage in the main part of their thesis, following up from successful literature reviews and research operationalisation. The class is organised in a kick-off session and two further block-sessions to allow for OFF-CLASS preparatory research and IN-CLASS student-led discussions.

Preliminary Readings:

Abraham, K. J. & Abramson, Y. (2017) A pragmatist vocation for International Relations: The (global) public and its problems, European Journal of International Relations 23(1), 26–48.

Brigg, M. & Bleiker, R. (2008) Expanding Ethnographic Insights into Global Politics, International Political Sociology 2(1), 89–90.

Brigg, M. & Bleiker, R. (2010) Autoethnographic International Relations: exploring the self as a source of knowledge, Review of International Studies 36(3), 779–798.

Dauphinee, E. (2013) The Politics of Exile, New York: Routledge.

Doty, R. (2010) Autoethnography – Making Human Connections, Review of International Studies 36(4), 1047–1050.

Guzzini, S. (2013) The ends of International Relations theory: Stages of reflexivity and modes of theorizing, European Journal of International Relations 19(3), 521–541.

Hamati-Ataya, I. (2012) IR Theory as International Practice/Agency: A Clinical-Cynical Bourdieusian Perspective, Millennium: Journal of International Studies 40(3), 625–646.

Hamati-Ataya, I. (2013) Reflectivity, reflexivity, reflexivism: IR's 'reflexive turn' - and beyond, European Journal of International Relations 19(4), 669–694.

Jackson, P. T. (2011) The Conduct of Inquiry in International Relations: Philosophy of Science and its Implications for the Study of World Politics, London: Routledge (Chapter 6).

Löwenheim, O. (2010) The ‘I’ in IR: an Autoethnographic Account, Review of International Studies 36(4), 1023–1045.

Ravecca, P. & Dauphinée, E. (2018) Narrative and the Possibilities for Scholarship, International Political Sociology 12(2), 125–138.

Schmidt, R. (2017) Sociology of Social Practices: Theory or Modus Operandi of Empirical Research?, in: Jonas, M., Littig, B. & Wroblewski, A. (eds.) Methodological Reflections on Practice Oriented Theories, Cham: Springer International Publishing, 3–17.

Wiener, A. (2018) Constitution and contestation of norms in global international relations, Cambridge, New York: Cambridge University Press (Chapter 8: A Voice through the Practice).