ANSO 206(S) Applied Anthropology and Sociology
How can the theoretical and methodological tools of anthropologists and sociologists help us investigate social issues and contribute to the efforts of professionals in the world of affairs to solve social problems? In consultation with the instructor, small groups of students will design and carry out focused research projects to answer questions posed to us by area professionals working in the domains of public education, health care, economic development, law enforcement, or neighborhood/community relations. Students will learn techniques of interviewing, participant observation, the collection of physical and documentary evidence, and qualitative (rather than statistical) analysis. Our investigation of practitioners' questions will be grounded in a consideration of the intellectual problems raised by both the questions themselves and by applied research: How do sociologists/anthropologists versus practitioners understand social issues and frame substantive problems? What is gained or lost when social scientists reframe problems in broader more theoretically compelling terms? What is social scientific evidence? Do practitioners find it compelling? How do we move between empirical evidence and explanation? Between explanation and social theory? How can we translate our social-theoretical understanding of a problem into policy recommendations? Requirements: research-related assignments and two essays. Prerequisite: one course in Anthropology or Sociology, or permission of the instructor. Enrollment limited to 20.