From the College Catalog
Core Courses
GSR 702 Contemporary Sociological Theory Conclusions and methodological
philosophies of major theorists: functionalists, interactionists, and phenomenologists,
and theory construction.
GSR 708 Statistics I Prereq: SOC 241 or equiv. Inferential statistics and introduction
to multivariate techniques. Includes use of computer for problem sets.
GSR 709 Statistics II Prereq: GSR 708 with grade of B or better. Topics covered
include analysis of variance, multiple regression and other multivariate
techniques.
GSR 710 Research Methods I Prereq: SOC 241 or
equiv or perm instr. Application of research techniques in qualitative
research, field research, participant observation, library research, analysis
of textual data.
GSR 711 Research Methods II Prereq: GSR 710.
Basic concepts and methods used in survey research, research design, measurement,
questionnaire construction, sampling, data analysis.
GSR 716 Workshop in Using Information Technology for Research
Use of the Internet and Web for both qualitative and quantitative
research; includes search and evaluation strategies, access to full text
data bases, and interactive statistical and spatial analysis. Presentation
of findings in formats suitable for delivery via the Web.
GSR 717 Seminar in Applied and Evaluation Research Prereq:
GSR 709, GSR 710 and GSR 711. Theoretical and methodological issues in
applied evaluation research; achieving agreement on program goals and
qualifying goals.
GSR 718 Research Internship 6 cr. Completion by matriculated student of a research internship under faculty supervision in an approved private or publicsector research agency. Internship lasts a minimum of three months (full time) or six months (part time). Execution of a research project applying advanced research methods.
GSR 719 Applied Research Seminar The execution of oral
and written reports, typically using research done during the internship,
to demonstrate the students’ data analysis skills and ability to write
a report appropriate for the students’ areas of specialization. Read more...
Areas of Specialization
Marketing Research and Consumer Behavior
GSR 722 Consumer Behavior Cultural, social, and psychological influences on consumer decision-making and consumer satisfaction; consumerism.
GSR 723 Nonprofit and Social Marketing Application of marketing and marketing research to non-business organizations.
Media Research and Analysis
GSR 731 Television Programming and Audiences Socioeconomic analysis of television programming and the various audiences served, including the cable universe; review of relevant theoretical approaches, research methods and audience data, patterns of television consumption.
GSR 732 Motion Pictures Analysis of contemporary American motion picture industry with special emphasis on independent production; social structure of production, product analysis, audience appeal and marketing; review of relevant theoretical approaches and current research.
GSR 733 The New Electronic Media and Information Markets Investigation of new media and information technologies and the markets they create (digital television, Internet, etc.); relation between these media and markets and the class structure; analysis of the consumptive and pragmatic use of information.
GSR 734 Electronic Media in Developing Countries Electronic media use in developing countries with emphasis on television and developmental applications; policy and research issues; role of social marketing (the TELEVISA model); the international digital divide, and related issues.
Students can take graduate courses in the Department of Film and Media Studies provided they are directly related to media analysis and research.
Research and Policy Analysis/Nonprofit Sector
GSR 741 Social Policy Planning procedures and program evaluation in public, corporate, and other private-sector settings; sources of error in forecasting.
GSR 742 Public Policy Analysis Theories, concepts, and
methods in publicpolicy analysis applied to select policy areas such as
social service, criminal justice, and education.
GSR 746 Organizational Dynamics Organizational design, processes and analysis in the business, public, and nonprofit sectors.
With appropriate approval, students may take graduate courses offered by the Department of Urban Affairs such as URBG 748 (Management Control for Nonprofit Organizations) and URBP 760 (Health Planning and Policy Issues).
Research and Evaluation
GSR 752 Focus Group Research Theory and application of focus group research. Methodological procedures, conceptualization of research problem, organization of group, listening and probing techniques, analysis of verbal and nonverbal data, report writing.
GSR 753 Critical Analysis of Higher Education Introductory research seminar focusing on problems of higher education in the U.S. Case studies, policy problems, and basic theoretical and research issues.
GSR 767 Interpersonal Process in Organizations Analysis of social relations in organizations; interpersonal processes in management, conflict negotiations, and interdepartmental relations.
Special Topics Seminars and Independent Research
GSR 790 Special Topics Seminar The program offers experimental
specialtopics seminars. Check with program office for more information.
GSR 791, 792, 793 Independent Research Execution, under faculty supervision, of an individual research project based on a written proposal.