California State University San Marcos
College of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences | Department of Sociology
| Instructor | Simon Griffith [CV]
MA Sociology 2025, CSUSM BA Sociology 2023, CSUSM | Student Hours | Tues 1:30PM – 2:30PM Fri 10:00AM – 11:00AM
You are welcome in-person or on Zoom. [#Zoom link] | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Office location | Social and Behavioral Sciences Building (SBSB)[####] [Directions to office] | Meeting time | Tues 3:00PM – 6:50PM | | Telephone | 760-750-xxxx | Classroom | Markstein Hall (MARK) 207 | | Email | [email protected] | Prerequisites | Completion of Sociology 101; Election of sociology or social sciences as major |
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We acknowledge that the land on which we gather is the traditional territory of the Luiseño/Payómkawichum people. Today, the meeting place of CSUSM and its surrounding areas is still home to the six Luiseño/Payómkawichum federally recognized bands of the La Jolla, Pala, Pauma, Pechanga, Rincon, Soboba and one non-federally recognized, the San Luis Rey band. It is also important to acknowledge that this land remains the shared space among the Kuupangaxwichem/Cupeño and Kumeyaay and Ipai peoples.
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Learn more about the native people of San Diego County and our Tribal Engagement program here: https://www.csusm.edu/tribal/
This description is from the CSU San Marcos course catalog. Focus on the range of qualitative methods which may include participant observation, qualitative interviewing, and textual and visual analysis. The course also considers the applicability of qualitative methods to particular research questions as well as the theoretical, ethical, and practical issues that arise in conducting qualitative research. Students will engage in qualitative research that includes intensive collection and analysis of qualitative data.
| # | STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES *When you leave this class...*What will you know? What perspectives might you hold? | STUDENT LEARNING GOALS When you leave this class... What will you be able to achieve? What skills will you have mastered? | | --- | --- | --- | | 1 | Understand the relationship between theory and research design You will recognize how theoretical perspectives shape research questions and methodological choices in qualitative research. | Construct and execute a qualitative research project By the end of the course, you will have designed, conducted, and analyzed a qualitative research project, either independently or collaboratively. | | 2 | Critically evaluate and synthesize scholarly research You will develop the ability to locate, read, and critically engage with qualitative research articles, identifying key arguments, methods, and findings. | Develop foundational literature review skills You will be able to identify and synthesize relevant scholarly articles related to their research topic, forming the preliminary steps of a literature review. | | 3 | Recognize the role of reflexivity and positionality in qualitative research You will examine your own social positions and biases and reflect on how these impact your research process. | Choose and apply an appropriate qualitative research method You will design a project using either interviews, ethnography, or an alternative method such as visual sociology or archival research, with guided support. | | 4 | Gain a broad understanding of qualitative methodologies You will become familiar with core methods (ethnography and in-depth interviews) while also developing awareness of exploratory methods such as content analysis, discourse analysis, and visual sociology. | Communicate qualitative research findings effectively You will learn how to present your research in both written and verbal formats, demonstrating your ability to connect theory, methodology, and findings in a structured way. |
In working with students, I embrace a low-friction learning philosophy, aiming to minimize obstacles that hinder your educational journey. This approach was inspired by the concept of "zero-friction habits" (Lieu 2021), which emphasizes reducing barriers to make desired behaviors more effortless. In an effort to reduce friction for you in learning:
I actively revise my approach to designing my courses each time I teach them (sometimes during in the middle of a semester, if needed!) to create an environment where learning becomes a seamless and enjoyable part of your daily routine.
I encourage you to check out Zhenghong Lieu’s blog post on low-friction habits to see how you might implement this idea in your personal, academic, work, and creative life.