Course Syllabus
Research Assistant
|
 |
| Semester & Location: |
Spring - DIS Copenhagen |
| Type & Credits: |
Elective Course - 3 credits |
| Major Disciplines: |
Anthropology, Sociology, Linguistics, Psychology |
| Faculty Members: |
Kirsten Kolstrup, Danish Language and Culture |
|
Program Director: |
Tina Mangieri - tma@disstockholm.se |
|
Coordinator: |
Kenzie Zimmer - mz@dis.dk |
| Time & Place: |
Will be decided in consultation with research mentor |
| Pre-requisite |
One university level course in Anthropology, Sociology, Applied Linguistics, Communication, or related disciplines. Demonstrated background/interest in multicultural encounters preferred. |
About the Research:
Intercultural competence is often touted as one of the key benefits and achievements of studying abroad. It is often believed to develop through a student’s involvement in activities that promote ‘cultural learning’ while on exchange – not least immersion in the foreign culture. Most studies take a quantitative approach to researching cultural learning by ‘measuring’ students’ level of intercultural competence before and after studying abroad. While potentially illustrative, this approach says little about issues surrounding the processes of cultural learning - in particular, what characterizes and/or influences these processes. Further questions raised include: What opportunities are available for the students to engage in cultural learning? What motivates or demotivates students to learn about the host culture? How does studying abroad and cultural learning influence students’ identity and self in the months or years after studying abroad?
The purpose of this research project is to identify patterns of cultural learning for students studying abroad at DIS in Copenhagen. The study follows 20-25 students during a semester through interviews before, during, and after their stay. The research assistant(s) will be introduced to and instructed in qualitative research techniques and will contribute to the study by conducting and transcribing interviews, as well as performing initial data analysis.
Researcher Bio:
Dr. Kirsten L. Kolstrup is lecturer and research fellow at DIS, holding a Ph.D. in Applied Linguistics from the University of Groningen, The Netherlands. Her research focuses on the intersection of linguistics and culture, and specifically on the processes of identity and motivation in second language use and cultural learning. She has previously held posts as a lecturer and researcher at Aarhus University, University of Groningen, and University of Greenland.
Description of role and responsibilities of the Research Assistant
You are expected to spend a minimum of 10 hrs per week on the project. The workload may vary over the semester. If you are travelling to do field research in a different location, additional time may be required.
As research assistant you will:
- Participate in weekly meetings with your research mentor at a time set collectively at the beginning of the semester.
- Participate in three workshops during the semester:
- A workshop on responsible research practices at the beginning of the semester: orientation and strategies for successful international research work
- A workshop on ethics and responsible research practices mid-semester
- A final workshop discussing strategies and best practices for effective communication of research, especially to those not in the field
- Write an assessment of your own strengths and weaknesses in the research process at the beginning of the semester. Revisit at the end of the semester as part of an evaluation of your own participation in, and learning from, the research project.
- Keep a research journal and submit it in person or via email every week to your research mentor. The main part of the journal should describe your experiences and observations from your everyday life in Denmark. In addition, you are expected to note your weekly research activities, as well as outline goals for the next week.
- Participate in carrying out the research project. For the SP19 Research Assistant the responsibilities would include: finding, reading and discussing published literature in the field to place the current project in a context of past and ongoing research; transcribing already collected interview data; developing interview guides; conducting interviews; and writing up an initial analysis of the findings. These tasks will be done in close collaboration with the researcher.
The specific responsibilities in a given semester vary depending on the phase of the project and will be set by the research mentor at the beginning of the semester. Be prepared to contribute to tasks that may come up during the semester. Research processes are not always predictable. - Present the relevance of the research and/or findings to peer(s) from other disciplines at the End of Semester Showcase.
- Make a final oral and/or written presentation of the research you are involved in, depending on what is agreed with your research mentor.
Learning Objectives
The primary objective is for you to experience the world of scientific research and gain experience that will prepare you for any future career you choose to pursue. By the end of the semester you will grasp the complexities of the research project, and have made your own contribution to the project. Additionally you will have learned to communicate scientific ideas and findings, both orally and in writing, to those within your particular discipline as well as peers from other disciplines.
The objectives for this specific project include:
• Develop an understanding of how cultural learning is conceptualized in intercultural encounters
• Develop proficiency in qualitative methodology
• Gain experience in transcribing audio and/or video recorded interview data
• Gain experience in initial procedures of coding and analyzing qualitative interview data
• Gain experience in developing interview guides and conducting qualitative research interviews
• Present findings in a research poster and communicating information in the academic style of the field to fellow students and faculty at DIS
Readings
The readings will be agreed on with the mentor at the beginning of the semester, and the exact content will differ depending on your background. You will receive guidance concerning the basics of research about intercultural encounters, concepts, study designs, methods of analysis, etc.
Workshops & Orientation (mandatory)
There are three mandatory workshops that will take place during the semester, in addition to an orientation session.
Monday, January 14th: Orientation session from 16.30-17.30 in V10-D11
Workshop 1: February 13th from 17.15-18.45 in V10-D11. Dinner to follow.
Workshop 2: March 13th from 17.15-18.45 in V10-D11.
Workshop 3: April 3rd from 17.15-18.45 in V10-D11.
Approach to Mentoring
All DIS research mentors have been trained in mentoring students but their approach to mentoring may differ. Mentoring is about engaging at a different - and often deeper - level than what is typical in the class room. However, mentoring also comes with some degree of ambiguity, which is important for you to be prepared for. The research mentor will work closely with you throughout the semester but part of the training is also for you to use your own judgement, to make assessments and decisions. As part of planning your tasks and responsibilities for the semester together, the research mentor will talk to you about her/his approach to mentoring.
Expectations of the Research Assistant
The specific expectations of the individual research assistant is agreed at the beginning of the semester. In general, a research assistant is expected to take initiative, take ownership of the project and work independently. Obviously, to be prepared for meetings and be willing to part take in scientific discussions. In cases where more research assistants are involved in the same project, you will be expected to engage in some team-work. Carrying out a research project is not a straight forward and predictable process. This is part of what makes it exciting. It also means that communication is crucial. You are expected to take responsibility for communicating about problems or issues that arise.
Data
The data collection procedure for this study follows ethical codes of conduct for qualitative research, including confidentiality and anonymization of data.
Because the research assistant will be working with interviews conducted in the student body in which they themselves are a part, extra discretion will be required. Upon course start, the research assistant will be asked to sign a form in which they promise to comply with the confidentiality of the information in the data set. The data collected as part of the project belongs to DIS and, thus, cannot be taken home or used later by the research assistants. However, if relevant, the research assistants’ journaling can be included in the research and the research assistant is free to use this in their own future research.
Evaluation and grading
All research assistants are assessed on their participation in the seminar on responsible research practices, weekly status reports to the research mentor, self-evaluation and presentation to peers from other disciplines. Additional evaluation and grading depends on the individual research project and project phase and is outlined by the research mentor at semester start. It may include literature reviews, a poster presentation for an expert panel, a working paper, etc.
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Journal |
10% |
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Research Paper Draft |
20% |
|
Research Presentation |
20% |
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Research Paper Final |
30% |
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Participation |
20% |
Disability and Resource Statement
Any student who has a need for accommodation based on the impact of a disability should contact the Office of Academic Support (acadsupp@dis.dk) to coordinate this. In order to receive accommodations, students should inform the instructor of approved DIS accommodations within the first two weeks of classes.
Academic Regulations
Please make sure to read the Academic Regulations on the DIS website. There you will find regulations on:
DIS - Study Abroad in Scandinavia - www.DISabroad.org
Course Summary:
| Date | Details | Due |
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