Interaction Analysis, 6 credits

Main field of study

Course level

Advancement level

Course offered for

• Bachelor´s Programme in Cognitive Science
• Master Programme in Cognitive Science

Entry requirements

Admission to the course requires a minimum of 100 credits of the courses offered within years 1 and 2 of the BA programme in cognitive science, or equivalent courses. Linguistics and Qualitative Research Methods or equivalents should have been taken.

Intended learning outcomes

After completing the course the student will be able to:
•plan and produce a video recording for research purposes in an ethically informed manner,
•transcribe recorded data according to conversation analytic conventions,
•identify interactional phenomena,
•analyse verbal and non-verbal aspects of interaction,
•apply current interaction analytic methods to empirical data,
•account for the theoretical underpinnings of interaction analytic methodology.

Course content

The course provides a hands-on introduction to the microanalysis of human interaction. It actively involves the students in the full research process starting with ethical considerations, data collection and transcription, and ending with the identification of relevant phenomena and methodological analytic arguments. The course focuses on cognitive, linguistic and social aspects of interaction in mundane settings, analysing activity types, meaning, learning, understanding and coordination. Attention is paid to verbal and nonverbal aspects of human action, including the use of technologies and artefacts in meaning-making. The historical roots of the method will be traced to the emergence of conversation analytic method, encouraging critical discussion of the theory and findings.

Teaching and working methods

Teaching is carried out in the form of lectures, seminars, datasessions, fieldwork and peer-review.

If necessary, the course may be offered in English.

Examination

The examination involves active participation in fieldwork, datasessions and seminars. It also consists of a written assignment.

Students failing an exam covering either the entire course or part of the course twice are entitled to have a new examiner appointed for the reexamination.

Students who have passed an examination may not retake it in order to improve their grades.

Grades

Other information

Planning and implementation of a course must take its starting point in the wording of the syllabus. The course evaluation included in each course must therefore take up the question how well the course agrees with the syllabus. 

The course is carried out in such a way that both men´s and women´s experience and knowledge is made visible and developed.

Department