The MESSAGE BELOW is also ATTACHED in a nicer format, in WORD6, for greater 
legibility.


Centre for Biography in Social Policy, University of East London:

SHORT COURSE IN BIOGRAPHIC-INTERPRETIVE METHODS
November 1999- January 2000


COURSE AIMS
Sigma The course explains the conceptual basis of  the growing field of narrative 
interviewing and biographic-interpretive analysis and teaches the skills to 
implement the methodology and review its results.
Sigma The course offers researchers and postgraduates the expertise in 
biographic-interpretive methods which has underpinned the Cultures of Care and 
Sostris projects across several European countries

TEACHING FORMAT
Sigma Block teaching comprising 9 full days..
Sigma Intensive hands-on workshop activities interweave practical application and 
theoretical explanation.
Sigma Groups are limited to 8 persons, with an optimum course size of 15 students. 
Sigma Use of students's own assignment work where possible. 
Sigma Course materials include extensive reading lists.
Sigma Final review session and social event in late September.

ASSESSMENT AND TRANSFERABLE CREDIT
Sigma Assessment of a final report accompanied by a portfolio of materials. The 
report includes a critical review and methodological discussion of at least one 
aspect of the work.
Sigma September 1st deadline
Sigma The course counts as 20 transferable credits at MA level. 
Sigma The course can be taken without assignments and accreditation.

FEE
#250 for the full course, payable by October 20.


PROGRAMME

Monday OCTOBER 25th

Postal distribution of teaching materials and with guidance for planning your 
first interview.

SCHEDULE AND VENUE OF SESSIONS
Sessions will run at the University of East London, Barking Campus, from 10.00 
- 1.00 
and from 2.30 - 5.30. Access is by North Circular and the M25, or by one-hour 
underground from Central London + a short bus ride.

Wednesday to Friday NOVEMBER 10th - 12th
Interviewing and Preparation of Texts

Small group exercises and role-play in narrative interviewing; practical 
exercises and explanations of text preparation.  Explanation and discussion of 
the sociological basis of the narrative approach
  Lead Tutor: Tom Wengraf

Monday to Wednesday DECEMBER 14th to 15th
Case Reconstruction

Feedback on first interview assignment with role-play of difficulties. Workshop 
exercises in biographical data analysis, thematic field analysis and in the 
micro-analysis of text segments to derive a case structure. Explanation and 
discussion of processes of sequentialisation and biographical reconstruction, 
and of the action and gestalt issues around the art of interpretation.  
Lead Tutor: Tom Wengraf


Tuesday to Thursday JANUARY 25th to 27th
Theorising and Comparing Cases

Practice in presenting case structures. Discussion and explanation of the 
validity of theorising from the single case. Small group exercises in comparing 
cases and discussion of the use of biographical methods for socio-structural 
analysis.
Lead Tutor: Prue Chamberlayne

Final report
For feedback and, if you wish, assessment, your final report submission date is 
March 1st 2000.


TEACHING STAFF

Tom Wengraf is author of Semi-structured depth interviewing in context: a 
conceptual and practical guide  (Sage, forthcoming) and studies of students' 
experiences  in Higher Education. Recent research experience includes the 
European-Union Social Strategies in Risk Society (Sostris) project. Currently 
teaching qualitative research methods in general and depth interviewing in 
particular to Middlesex University postgraduates, and co-editing  Biographical 
Methods in Social Science (Taylor and Francis, forthcoming). 

Prue Chamberlayne is Director of BISP, and Principal Lecturer in European 
Social Policy. Recent research experience includes the Cultures of Care project 
(1992-7), Social Strategies in Risk Society (SOSTRIS) (1996-9) and Evaluating 
Reminiscence Work (1997-8) jointly with Joanna Bornat at the Open University. 
Articles on the Cultures of Care project have appeared in Sociology,  the 
Sociology of Health and Illness and Social Politics, and as chapters in a 
number of books. Current writing includes jointly edited and authored books on 
Biographical Methods in Social Science (Taylor and Francis), Welfare and 
Culture (Jessica Kingsley), Sociology of Contemporary Europe (MacMillan) and 
Cultures of Care.


If you wish to DISCUSS the course, or have any QUESTIONS,
we would be happy to answer them;
 please contact Dr. Chamberlayne
especially during the summer,
preferably by email: [log in to unmask]
or
Tel: 0181-590-7000 ext.2779
Fax: 0181-849-3401
or by letter to the address below

BOOKINGS must be made, together with payment of #250, by 20 October 1999. 
Cheques should be made payable to the University of East London and sent 
together with your name, address and phone number (and fax/email address if you 
have one) to

Dr Prue Chamberlayne
Centre for Biography in Social Policy
University of East London 
Longbridge Road
Dagenham
Essex
RM8 2AS


I only have WORD6, so please send in this format .. or in ASCII

Please use a MIME ENCODING for any ATTACHMENTS, otherwise I wil not be able to download them.

[log in to unmask]


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