2025 (Current Year) Faculty Courses Liberal arts and basic science courses Humanities and social science courses
Sociology B
- Academic unit or major
- Humanities and social science courses
- Instructor(s)
- Masayo Arizono
- Class Format
- Lecture (Face-to-face)
- Media-enhanced courses
- -
- Day of week/Period
(Classrooms) - 5-6 Tue / 5-6 Fri
- Class
- -
- Course Code
- LAH.S207
- Number of credits
- 200
- Course offered
- 2025
- Offered quarter
- 1Q
- Syllabus updated
- Apr 1, 2025
- Language
- Japanese
Syllabus
Course overview and goals
Sociology has developed through social theory and social research. In this class, we will learn about the purposes and methods of social research. First, we will review how the basic concepts of social research have developed. Second, I will explain the methods of qualitative research (interview, participant observation, etc.), in which I have been mainly engaged.
Course description and aims
1) Acquire a minimum necessary knowledge of the basic concepts, methods and ethics of social research as a beginner.
2) Understand the outline of how social researchs are conducted.
Keywords
Sociology, Social Research, Qualitative Research, Interview, Participant observation
Competencies
- Specialist skills
- Intercultural skills
- Communication skills
- Critical thinking skills
- Practical and/or problem-solving skills
Class flow
1) If a large number of students enroll, this class will be lecture-based.
2) If a small number of students enroll, this class will be based on group discussions, presentations and lectures.
Course schedule/Objectives
| Course schedule | Objectives | |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | Introduction | I will give you instructions in class. |
| Class 2 | Sociology and Social Research (1) | Read the basic books presented in class. |
| Class 3 | Sociology and Social Research (2) | Read the basic books presented in class. |
| Class 4 | What is the purpose of social research? | Read the basic books presented in class. |
| Class 5 | How social research has developed (1) | Read the basic books presented in class. |
| Class 6 | How social research has developed (2) | Read the basic books presented in class. |
| Class 7 | How social research is conducted (1): Interview research | Read the assigned chapters in the textbook. |
| Class 8 | Examples of social research practices (1) | Read the assigned chapters in the textbook. |
| Class 9 | How social research is conducted (2): Participant observation research | Read the assigned chapters in the textbook. |
| Class 10 | Examples of social research practices (2) | Read the assigned chapters in the textbook. |
| Class 11 | How social research is conducted (3) - Documentary research | Read the assigned chapters in the textbook. |
| Class 12 | Examples of social research practices (3) | Read the assigned chapters in the textbook. |
| Class 13 | Ethics of Social Research | |
| Class 14 | Summary and outlook | Final exams |
Study advice (preparation and review)
Read the basic books presented in class and the assigned chapters in the textbook.
Textbook(s)
ARIZONO, Masayo, "Surviving in National Sanatoriums for Hansen's Disease: from Asylums to Autonomous Fort," 2017, Sekai-shiso-sha, Kyoto. ISBN:9784790716990 (Japanese)
Reference books, course materials, etc.
Course materials are provided during class.
Evaluation methods and criteria
Students’ course scores are based on final exams (70%) and in-class assignments (30%)
The course content will vary depending on the level of understanding of the students and the number of students enrolled. Therefore, the assesment criteria and methods will be explained again in class.
Related courses
- LAH.S107 ： Sociology A
- LAH.S308 ： Sociology C
- LAH.S404 ： Essence of Humanities and Social Sciences4:Sociology
Prerequisites
No prerequisites, but you are required to understand Japanese.