This PhD level course presents methods for the academic study of religion and spirituality, using primarily qualitative methodologies while also considering quantitative approaches. Students will explore a single research topic through a series of methodological lenses, providing a rich understanding of research design implications. The course will begin with an introduction to principles of information literacy, including access to free online research databases, as a fundamental skill required to perform quality research, and finish with a complete, rigorous, research proposal. The course will aid students in both the Religious Studies program and the Integral Health program gain practical skills in formulating and evaluating research designs for challenging topics. Ideally, students should have at least one statistics class or research methods class prior to taking this course, whether at CIHS or elsewhere. (4 units)
** MA students may take this course as an elective with permission from the Dean.
*For Integral Health or Comparative Religion and Philosophy Students, Research Methodology for Religious Studies can be taken in lieu of Advanced Qualitative Research Methods. Clinical Psychology students must still take Advanced Qualitative Research Methods. If you are interested in this class as an elective, please speak to Dr. Umansky to determine if it can fit in your program goals.
- Teacher: Randy Fauver, PhD