SOCI2003BSociological Methods

Colleen Anne Dell, Ph.D.

Carleton University, Department of Sociology & Anthropology

Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse

September 7, 2006

Introduction to the Course

OUTLINE

1. Introduction to the class a. What is truth?

2. Who are you? Who am I? 3. Course objective 4. Course website & outline 5. Social scientific research: What is it? 6. Addiction defined 7. Exercise for next class: Creativity 8. Film: Fix - The Story of an Addicted City

A) WHAT IS TRUTH?

2. WHO ARE YOU? WHO AM I?

Year Major Future workplace / academic interest Will research be a component of this?

3. COURSE OBJECTIVE

For students to gain an understanding of the logic of the social research process and translate their acquired knowledge into practice.

KNOWLEDGE

What is known, or thought to be known, and changes over time.

4. COURSE WEBSITE & OUTLINE

http://http-server.carleton.ca/~cadell/

- Outline- Assignments- Weekly notes- Postings

5. SOCIAL SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH – WHAT IS IT?

SOCIAL

SCIENTIFIC

RESEARCH

Activity intended to investigate, document, bring to light, analyse, or interpret matters in any domain, to create knowledge for the benefit of society or of particular groups. (M. Castellano, Journal of Aboriginal Health, January 2004:99).

6. ADDICTION

ADDICT: One who is given to some habit, especially the use of narcotic drugs.

ADDICTED: Given over to a pursuit, practice or habit.

ADDICTION: The state of being addicted or given over, as to narcotics.

7. EXERCISES FOR NEXT CLASS: CREATIVITY

1. WHAT IS ONE OF THE MOST CREATIVE THINGS THAT YOU HAVE EVER DONE?

2. WHY DO YOU CONSIDER THIS CREATIVE (WHAT PERSONAL SKILLS, TRAITS, TALENTS, CHARACTERISTICS DID YOU USE)?

FOR NEXT CLASS

IDENTIFY 3 AREAS OF SOCIOLOGICAL INTEREST

8. FIX: THE STORY OF AN ADDICTED CITY

What research questions emerge from this film?

What reasons does this film provide for studying the area of addictions from a sociological perspective?