Case Study Methods in Science and Technology Studies: Theory and Practice (P00112)

? Credit Points : 20 ? SCQF Level : 11 ? Acronym : SPS-P-SUCSM

Science and technology studies has always drawn heavily on historical case studies to formulate, illustrate and support its theoretical claims. This course surveys the most important theoretical perspectives in the field of science and technology studies, and examines how these perspectives inform and are informed by the conduct of empirical cases studies.

Entry Requirements

none

Subject Areas

Home subject area

Postgraduate (School of Social and Political Studies), (School of Social and Political Studies, Schedule J)

Delivery Information

? Normal year taken : Postgraduate

? Delivery Period : Semester 1 (Blocks 1-2)

? Contact Teaching Time : 2 hour(s) per week for 10 weeks

Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes

Students completing the course will be able:
-to compare and contrast a range of theoretical and methodological perspectives that inform research and writing of empirical case studies in the field of science and technology studies
-to show, with examples, how these perspectives variously illuminate the heterogeneous, 'sociotechnical' character of science and technology and the need to take account of the particular socio-economic contexts within which science and technologies are produced and encountered to critically evaluate the methodological possibilities and limitations of these various perspectives, in terms of how research questions may be framed, what sort of data may be considered, what analytic and interpretative techniques may be employed, and what styles of writing and argumentation may be adopted