Studying the Global South: Qualitative Methods, Histories and Critiques - Einzelansicht

Course Description

In recent years, a multitude of state and non-state actors have emerged within the so-called "Global South" to take up an ever more prominent role in international politics. This begs the question: How do we study the Global South, and which tools can we (or should we) draw on to do so?

The social sciences, including international relations, have a long pedigree of Global Northern researchers studying the Global South. Historically, this study served primarily to confirm imperial theories, racist hierarchies and developmental clichés. But there have always been voices critiquing (neo-)colonial traces in contemporary knowledge production and centring on ways how to study political dynamics in the Global South with appropriate ethics and methodological rigour.

This seminar seeks to combine qualitative methods, the study of the "Global South" broadly defined, and critical/post-colonial theory. First, the seminar introduces students to some core methods of qualitative data collection and data analysis and gives space for students to practise them and apply them to topics of interest. Second, the seminar applies these methods across a variety of issue areas related to the Global South, from statehood to democracy, empire and sexuality. Finally, the seminar shows the genesis of knowledge production on the Global South along colonial and racist lines and aims to rethink whether and, if yes, how we (as students in Global Northern institutions) should study the Global South. The seminar offers space for exchange and collaboration among students: through discussions, presentations and other creative forms of engagement.

For the final grading delivery (Prüfungsleistung), students will produce a podcast episode in groups which can be published online.

Intended Learning Outcomes

This course introduces students to the study of security politics and presents a variety of methodological and thematic angles on what security is and how to conceptualise it. At the end of the course, students will be able (1) to understand, adequately select and apply the main qualitative methods of international relations and political science more broadly; (2) to critically assess existing empirical, theoretical and methodological approaches to (the study of) the Global South drawing on critical theory; (3) to design independent research on issues related to the Global South, methodology and its critiques; and (4) to use the format of Podcasts to present and discuss (their own) academic findings.

Moodle

The course uses the learning platform Moodle for didactic purposes and for internal communication. You can access Moodle with your university email account and the corresponding password which I will send around the week before the seminar starts.

Class Format

This course follows a weekly seminar format. I will briefly present and initiate the day's topic, which is followed by student presentations, a group debate, and group work. The course ultimately builds on student participation, so students are expected to complete the required readings and to actively participate in discussions. All students are required to prepare a very short written summary statement for each of the mandatory readings.

Students need no prior knowledge of the study of qualitative methods or the Global South but should have solid knowledge of core theories of political science/international relations as well as social scientific methodology. In-class discussions will be conducted in English, although German contributions are equally welcome. Summary statements may be submitted in either English or German.

Participation Requirements: Summary Statements

In order to pass the participation requirements of this course, students have to submit a summary statement for each required reading specified in the syllabus. These should be structured in the following way: 1) 3-5 keywords; 2) the author’s main argument in your own words (50-100 words); 3) one or two questions that the reading raises for you. Students should be prepared to explain their questions during class and discuss them with their peers.

The summary statements should be uploaded via Moodle, where a dedicated section has been created for that purpose. The summary statements for all readings of a given day should be uploaded at the latest until midnight before the respective course day. Two exemptions from handing in summary statements are allowed. No summary statement is needed for the reading of the first class on October 14.

Students are encouraged to submit visual formats summarising one reading per double class instead of a summary statement for this specific reading. This may be memes, TikTok videos or other ideas students have. Look here for examples. There are various platforms to create memes, for example, here. Creative submissions are optional (but fun!).

Grading Requirements

This course follows a portfolio system in its grading requirements. This means that students' grades are not dependent on just one final delivery but consist of a variety of factors listed here.

Group Memo during Class

Throughout the course, students will be asked to co-author a memo for one required reading during the course of the seminar in groups of 2 or 3 (depending on class size). Memo groups and readings will be assigned in the first session. Generally, memos should be around 1000 words long (10\% margin plus/minus). They should summarise the reading, present the reading's puzzle, research question and findings, and offer a set of thoughtful and diverse questions to drive discussion. Students should be prepared to answer questions about the reading.

The group memo replaces the summary statement for the authoring students for this class. It should be submitted via Moodle.

Group memos will not be marked on their content but failure to submit leads to a drop in your grade. They serve to spark students' thought processes and to structure the classes.

Podcast Episode (Sketch and Final Episode)

Students will produce a podcast episode for the final delivery of the class in groups of 2 or 3 people (depending on class size). The podcast episode should address a major question in the study of the "Global South" and related issue areas by applying a qualitative method of data collection and a method of data analysis. Students are expected to propose potential topics themselves, but you can ask me for leads or advice at any time.

The episode should deal with analysing or answering the research question and not with a detailed description of the subject matter or the general historical background. The question addressed must be formulated early on and then answered throughout the episode with the use of various qualitative methods. Students are expected to discuss, talk about, and present this topic accordingly.

In order to prepare participants for the production of a podcast episode, the course features two classes where we invite experienced podcasters to discuss a) how to best use academic knowledge in podcasting, and b) how to produce a podcast. In terms of technical equipment and technical problems (or necessary software), I am happy to help.

Students need to have come together in groups of 2-3 people by Class 6 (18.11.2024). These groups should submit a sketch for a podcast episode by Class 10 (16.12.2024) which details the topic, methods of choice and rough outline for the podcast episode. This sketch should be between 2 and 3 pages. Podcast sketches will not be marked on their content but failure to submit leads to a drop in your grade. They serve to give students space to develop their thinking early on and to receive feedback well ahead of time. Students will receive feedback from the lecturer for their sketches, which students should ideally implement before class 14 (Podcast Workshop) when we all read each other's episode sketches and give feedback and suggestions.

We can publish the final episodes online as a proper podcast. Each student needs to agree to this publishing process. If a group does not consent, their podcast is not published (which is absolutely fine as well!).