Students must provide a one-page description of their ideas, projects and interests by
November 11th, Monday, and generate a list of 3 bibliographic citations representing their area of interest.
There will be three possible ways of writing the final paper:
1. - Theoretical paper
2. - Research proposal paper
3. - Empirical research paper
1. Theoretical paper
Your paper must be based on sound exposition of the primary texts used in this course as well as your own reasoned arguments. You are required to base your answers on materials that include the primary sources covered in the course. One of the themes of the course could be the focus of your paper (frame, Self, group, meaning, interaction order, intentionality, ritual, speech acts, emotions, senses, talk-in-interaction, etc.). In the paper you should present theoretical issues on the studies of communication starting from your perspective, offering a conceptual and categorical analysis together with mentions of empirical studies, or links to classical or contemporary sociological theory, or references to particular substantive subjects of sociological studies (inequalities, gender, family, youth, consumption, fad & fashion, new media, etc.).
2. Research proposal paper
The student proposes a research topic and design addressing any of the substantive areas concerning communication that has been covered in this course. The paper should present the ways in which a particular topic can be studied from an empirical point of view. Your paper must have a 8-paragraph structure: 1. Research topic and main aims of the research; 2. Brief reconstruction and critique of previous studies on the topic; 3. Methodology to be used; 4. Context(s) of the research; 5. Phases and timing of the research; 6. Expected results; 7. Budget; 8. Bibliography.
3. Empirical research paper
The paper is based on a (detailed) analysis of some kind of empirical data or materials using the conceptual structure and analytical attitude that has been fostered in this course. Data and materials must be quick to gather and easy to handle (examples can be: movies, tv shows, recordings of actual conversations, literary fictions and novels, newspapers). You should (1) present clearly the focus of your research, mentioning one of the subjects or topics covered in the course and explaining its relevance and connection for your research; (2) describe the data and materials on which your research is based; (3) present your findings, analysis, intuitions, etc. in an articulated way; (4) provide a summary of the main points of your research; (5) provide a bibliography.
Your paper must have a title. The paper should be no longer than 5.000 words, 30.000 characters spaces included (about 10 pages). In the class we will talk about your ideas, projects, topics, and the ways in which your paper could be organized.
