LSE100: A large-scale multi-disciplinary approach to teaching undergraduate research methods - Neil...

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Neil McLean

LSE

LSE100: A large-scale multi-disciplinary

approach to teaching undergraduate research

methods

The LSE Course: Understanding the causes of things 2

Aims of LSE100

Compulsory for all UG students (1350 students, 108 weekly

classes, 20 lecturers, 30 seminar teachers).

To deepen and broaden students’ understanding of social

scientific thinking, with its core elements of evidence,

explanation and theory

To strengthen the critical skills that underpin the study and

application of the social sciences

– Research skills (critical thinking, data analysis and

information skills)

– Writing and presentation skills


Course structure

Six three-week modules in Lent term of the first year and Michaelmas term of the second year

Weekly two-hour lectures from leading researchers (plus special lectures)

Weekly small, task-based classes requiring students to:

– Think critically about the evidence, explanation and theory presented in lectures and classes

– Write position pieces and do quantitative exercises

– Argue and debate


LSE100 learning outcomes

Thinking like a

social scientist



Using

information

effectively



Writing and

speaking

critically


Course strategy

Important issues of public debate used as vehicles for

examining research methods (‘deep embedding’)

Contrasting disciplinary approaches to each issue to highlight

methodological differences

Emphasis on argumentation to motivate research method

learning and to foster critical thinking about research methods

Continuous feedback

Intensive teacher training and support


‘Big’ questions and researchers

from complementary disciplines

Lent term

Introductory lecture: ‘Can we make poverty history?’

Professor Mary S. Morgan

‘How should we manage climate change?’

Professor Lord Nicholas Stern, Professor Eric Neumeyer, Dr Robert Faulkner

‘Do nations matter?’

Professor Craig Calhoun, Dr Lea Ypi, Dr Mathijs Pelkmans

‘Why are great events so difficult to predict?’

Professor Michael Cox, Dr Piers Ludlow

Michaelmas term

‘Who caused the global financial crisis?’

Professor Danny Quah, Professor Craig Calhoun, Professor Paul de Grauwe

‘Has gender quality been achieved?’

Professor Claire Hemmings, Professor Kim Hutchings, Dr Sumi Madhok

‘Who should own ideas?’

Professor Robin Mansell, Professor Andrew Murray, Professor Neil Duxbury

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Developing a LSE100 module

Introduction

Motivating questions

about social issues

which span

disciplinary research

areas and for which

the use of

complementary

disciplinary

perspectives inform

answers / policy

responses

.

HEA Social Sciences strategic project

LSE100: An innovative, multi-disciplinary approach to assessing research methods learning

10 HEA Social Sciences strategic project


The issue needs to combine disciplinary perspectives


Disciplinary perspectives

Economics Political Science




Different methods

The issue also showcases different methods




Linking with learning outcomes

Communication

learning outcomes

also need to link to

the issue

Issues raise big

questions students

can address with the

benefit of

methodological /

epistemological

insights




Integrated resources

The range of resources used

on each module is integrated

Reading resources for

class preparation

Class tasks building on the

reading

Further reading and

self-study, extension

resources




Design process

Design therefore is iterative

and collaborative involving

course team, lecturers,

teaching fellows




Pre-term testing and development

A challenge on multi-disciplinary teaching is training those

who deliver the class teaching

Pre-term and weekly training

A task-based approach with teachers’ notes


More information

Further information on the course and how we design teaching, assess learning, offer feedback, develop critical thinking etc. can be found at:

http://www.lse.ac.uk/intranet/students/LSE100/HEA/Assessing%20research%20methods%20learning.aspx

http://www.lse.ac.uk/intranet/students/LSE100/HEA/Assessing research methods learning.aspx



LSE100: A large-scale multi-disciplinary approach to teaching undergraduate research methods - Neil...

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