Modes of Inquiry · Ethnicity And Race Studies
I learned a lot in terms of the many different approaches to research, and the consequences that one must contend with in various research processes. This and another class really informed me of the problematics of needing to fit identity within a certain range for the purpose of research, and how this may ultimately yield an unintended result. Which speaks to a quantitative vs qualitative approach, where there is an absence of nuance to the latter.
Yes, for anyone interested in researching identity and culture.
I learned about what decolonized methodologies look like in practice (oral histories, relationships of reciprocity, intra-community knowledge sources, etc.). I learned what my fellow students are working on.
I learned how to be a good researcher and how to break away from the problematic history regarding academic research in the field of ethnicity and race studies.
I gained insight into the ethics of conducting research work as well as alternative forms and presentations of knowledge production.
I learned how to decolonize academia. I learned that academic work does not have to be done a certain way. We can change the ways we think about academic studies. Oral Histories are just as valid and important as written work. We can put in our personal work into the thesis. We can work on our own project.
So much!! But most importantly that knowledge production is not exclusive of community based and meaningful and caring work. That knowledge production and presentation can take multiple forms. I learned how to be more mindful about my own colonized methodologies and my positionality in my reasearch and interactions in general.
I learned how to approach research in an ethical, respective, and analytical manner that aimed to accurately portray the material I wished to present.
If the class had fewer people and readings I would definitely recommend it because the professor has so much important knowledge to impart.
I thought the chosen readings were wonderful and helpful in determining how to proceed with my research. I would, however, have liked if more time was given to focus on our individual projects, being that this course usually feeds into the thesis course in the Spring. Even so, I greatly appreciated the resources and concepts that this course introduced me to. 1 Columbia University: Arts & Sciences Fall 2022 Course: CSERUN3919_001_2022_3-MODESOFINQUIRY : CSERUN3919_001_2022_3 - MODES OF INQUIRY Instructor: Sayantani Dasgupta