Duration
30h Th
Number of credits
Lecturer
Hassan Bousetta, Jean-Michel Lafleur, Jérémy Mandin, Abdeslam Marfouk
Coordinator
Language(s) of instruction
English language
Organisation and examination
Teaching in the first semester, review in January
Schedule
Units courses prerequisite and corequisite
Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program
Learning unit contents
This course is designed to train students to research methods in the field of migration and ethnic studies, and give them the necessary tools to design and conduct small-scale scientific projects according to academic standards in this field. To do so, the course is organized as a series of lectures that guide students step by step through the entire research process from:
- Drafting a Research Question;
- Tracing relevant literature;
- Selecting the research design;
- Searching data sources ;
- Research ethics.
The course is made of a series of lectures given by the course coordinators. Participation in all lectures is requiered. The course is interactive and requires the active engagement of students in class discussions as well as preparatory readings before the lectures. Students are also expected to work in groups throughout the semester in view of producing a final essay (in the form of a Research Proposal) on a topic of choice related to migration studies.
A first serie of presentations will address the basics principles of the elaboration of a research project: from the formulation of a research question to the choice of a research strategy. A second serie of presentations will be dedicated to the collection of data and more specifically to the collection of qualitative datas. Students will be familiarized with some research tools such as the observation, the interview, the focus group or the methods related to the collection of visual data. Finally, experts are also invited to talk about specific topics such as bibliographic research and data management for exemple.
Learning outcomes of the learning unit
The class aims to equip students with the appropriate tools for designing collectively a small-scale scientific research project in the field of migration and ethnic studies. Skills learnt during this class can be put to use for the students' master thesis, the treatment of data and publication of research work conducted during their studies, or the preparation of a research proposal for students interested in joining a PhD programme.
This course is designed to help students acquire the following skills:
-Work collectively and share editorial responsabilities
-Read and discuss scientific literature in migration studies, political science, sociology, and law;
-Cultivate critical thinking;
-Develop and articulate a discourse on a topic in migration studies;
-Write a research proposal that puts in dialogue different scientific perspectives of a selected topic and propose an innovative research study;
-Academic writing;
-Presentation skills;
-Strategies of data collection and management;
Prerequisite knowledge and skills
Students are expected to have a good active knowledge of the English language (speaking, reading, writing). Having previously followed an introductory course to research methods in social sciences at the BA level is recommended but not required. The lectures are given in English.
Planned learning activities and teaching methods
The course combines in-class lectures (in which students' active participation is encouraged) with assignments to be completed independently, in groups, or individually (readings and a research proposal). Class attendance is mandatory. If a student is unable to attend class, they must notify the class coordinator in advance. Absences not justified in advance will result in penalties.
For each class session, students must:
- Before the session: Read the required preparatory material (which will be checked in class).
- 1st hour: Attend the presentation given by the professor or a guest speaker, depending on the week. Active participation through questions and/or sharing thoughts is encouraged.
- Second hour: 10-15 minutes are devoted to a brief discussion of the preparatory reading. One or two students are selected (without prior notice) and must summarize the content of the reading and share their impressions, reflections, and questions regarding the text. The remainder of the second hour is devoted to work in pre-assigned groups to develop the research project.
- After the session: Each group must submit a summary on eCampus of the discussion held during the 2[SUP]nd[/SUP] hour regarding the group work. This summary must list and justify the points of agreement, the options that were set aside (or definitively excluded), and the points requiring further research.
Throughout the semester, students must:
- Actively participate in class;
- Submit and present, in groups of three, a (final) research proposal.
Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)
Face-to-face course
Further information:
Face-to-face course
Additional information:
It is required that the students actively participate in the presential lectures (face-to-face sessions). Students are also expected to connect online at least once a week on the course's page on eCampus to prepare for the next session (reading the obligatory text and upload the notes on the process of the group work. Several sessions will include practical exercises in which students are expected to participate actively.
Should the sessions move online, the students will be notified in advance for the platform/connection details.
Course Time: Fridays, 1pm - 3pm
Classroom: To be determined
Course materials and recommended or required readings
Platform(s) used for course materials:
- eCampus
Further information:
The mandatory reading of every class will be found online, a week in advance of the class. The presentations of every lecture will be uploaded and made available after each session. Also, every week the list of optional readings will be updated.
Exam(s) in session
Any session
- Remote
written exam
Written work / report
Further information:
Exams during the exam period
All exam periods combined
- Online
Written assessment
Assignment-report
Additional information:
The maximum final grade a student can receive is 20.
The assessment is based on:
A group project and its oral presentation: 50% of the grade
The core of the course assessment is based on the completion of a research project conducted by groups of 3 students. Groups are formed at the beginning of the course and remain unchanged throughout the semester.
After the second session-which is typically devoted to introducing research questions-students will be invited to begin forming groups based on shared interests. Groups of (ideally) three students will thus be formed. Throughout the semester, the second hour of each session will be devoted to discussion (facilitated by the instructor) of the group projects. Each group of three will thus have the opportunity to incrementally refine their project based on the readings and content covered in each session.
Each student in the trio will be assigned "editorial" responsibility for a portion of the research project. Students organize their work as they see fit. The work may be divided into sections, or each section may be worked on jointly by all students, but one student in particular is assigned to proofread and verify a section and thus assumes editorial responsibility for it.
The research projects are presented by the students in the group. Students are questioned individually about the work, particularly regarding the section for which they have editorial responsibility.
The oral presentation also serves as an opportunity for peer review. Each group must attend another group's presentation and provide its own evaluation (on a scale of 5 points) based on a rubric distributed during the session.
A Critical Methodological Analysis of a Brown-Bag Presentation: 25% of the grade
Students will be required to attend at least one CEDEM "brown-bag" presentation during the semester and to produce a critical methodological analysis in the form of a paper (max 1,000 words) that will include, in particular:
- A summary of the methodological choices highlighted during the brown-bag session
- A critical reflection on the advantages and limitations of the approach presented
- The presentation of an alternative strategy to the approach presented and its possible implications.
Participation will be assessed based on various factors, including but not limited to:
- The student's ability to summarize the preparatory readings (see course organization above).
- Responses to questions asked during the oral defense of the research project (demonstration of mastery of the section for which the student is listed as the lead author).
- Any other criteria related to participation in the course dynamics.
Work placement(s)
Please contact your professors for this matter.
Organisational remarks and main changes to the course
The students would be notified well in advance should there be modifications in the lectures.
The course starts on Friday, 18/09/2026. No reading for this session.
For all questions and queries students should contact Jérémy Mandin (jeremy.mandin@uliege.be)
Contacts
Course leaders:
-Hassan Bousetta (hassan.bousetta@uliege.be) &
-Jean-Michel Lafleur (JM.Lafleur@uliege.be)
Course co-ordinator:
Jérémy Mandin (jeremy.mandin@uliege.be)
Office hours: by appointment (via email to J. Mandin)
Meetings: Meetings could take place at the office R.42 (B31)
Administrative issues : sam.etudiant.fass.uliege.be
Association of one or more MOOCs
The MOOC entitled 'Migrations internationales : Comment les mobilités transforment les sociétés ? (H2)' is associated with this course.