Modules

Prerequisites

Contents

Understanding of complex social processes is of paramount importance for successful environmental action and management etc. The objective of this advanced module in Social Sciences is to provide participants with required skills to undertake social research and develop communication strategies in the context of Environmental and Research Management. The module consists of two parts. Part one particularly focusses on environmental movements and campaigning. With the background Social Sciences Theories (like Moyer, Beck, Giddens and Luhmann) the following questions are to be dealt with: Why do environmental activist hang banners from corporations buildings? Only to get some attention? Are the non-violent revolutions like in the Ukraine or the Arab world spontaneous outbreaks longing for 'democracy'? Or is there a dramaturgy behind it – and if yes, what dramaturgy is it? What are these (new) social movements? Part two consists of an applied introduction to qualitative and quantitative research methods in sociology.

Learning outcomes

Students • understand the role of communication in environmental policy processes and are able to draft a campaign/communication plan • be able to plan a quantitative survey, and to design a survey questionnaire, • have a basic understanding about the potentials and practicalities of qualitative social research

Assessment

• Campaign plan (group work) (40%) • Presentation of its Campaign Plan 10 min. (10%) • Home works for both qualitative as well as quantitative research methods (25% each) The form of the home works will be determined in the first lecture.

Remarks

Sociology (B6)