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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
The LSE Course: Understanding the causes of things 3
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
The LSE Course: Understanding the causes of things 4
LSE100 learning outcomes
Thinking like a
social scientist
The LSE Course: Understanding the causes of things 5
LSE100 learning outcomes
Using
information
effectively
The LSE Course: Understanding the causes of things 6
LSE100 learning outcomes
Writing and
speaking
critically
The LSE Course: Understanding the causes of things 7
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
The LSE Course: Understanding the causes of things 8
‘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
LSE100: An innovative, multi-disciplinary approach to assessing research methods learning
The issue needs to combine disciplinary perspectives
Developing a LSE100 module
Disciplinary perspectives
Economics Political Science
11 HEA Social Sciences strategic project
LSE100: An innovative, multi-disciplinary approach to assessing research methods learning
Developing a LSE100 module
Different methods
The issue also showcases different methods
12 HEA Social Sciences strategic project
LSE100: An innovative, multi-disciplinary approach to assessing research methods learning
Developing a LSE100 module
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
13 HEA Social Sciences strategic project
LSE100: An innovative, multi-disciplinary approach to assessing research methods learning
Developing a LSE100 module
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
14 HEA Social Sciences strategic project
LSE100: An innovative, multi-disciplinary approach to assessing research methods learning
Developing a LSE100 module
Design process
Design therefore is iterative
and collaborative involving
course team, lecturers,
teaching fellows
15 HEA Social Sciences strategic project
LSE100: An innovative, multi-disciplinary approach to assessing research methods learning
Developing a LSE100 module
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
The LSE Course: Understanding the causes of things 16
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