Qualitative Research Methods
CJT 664 -- Fall 2007
Name: Alan D. DeSantis, Ph. D.
Address: 234 Grehan Building
Work Phone: 257-1975
E-mail: desantis@uky.edu
Web Page: http://www.uky.edu/~addesa01/
CJT 664 is designed to give students an introduction to the qualitative methods used in
the communication discipline. The course will have two major “content” areas:
Ethnographic (naturalistic) Analysis: The study of speech communities and the
discourse they produce within their natural settings.
Rhetorical/Historical/Textual Criticism: The analysis of cultural artifacts (books,
movies, architecture, videos, magazines, etc.).
The “form” of the course will utilize a seminar-learning format (also referred to as the
dialectic/Platonic format) in which students actively engage the readings and each other.
In my role as professor, I will not lecture; I will serve as a facilitator and a resource for
discussions. As a result, students must read ALL the assigned material and be prepared to
discuss, debate, and question the readings if the class is going to most effectively meet
the course’s goals.
The learning outcomes for this course are as follows:
1) To learn about the major theoretical assumptions, researchers, and debates
surrounding qualitative research.
2) To understand the criteria, tools, and approaches that drive qualitative research.
3) To be able to conduct your own research using ethnographic methods of
analysis.
4) To be able to conduct your own research using rhetorical/textual/critical
methods of analysis.
Required Books
Conover, T. (1987). Coyotes: A Journey Through the Secret World of America's Illegal
Aliens. New York: Vintage.
DeSantis, A. (Oct 2007). Inside Greek U.: Fraternities, Sororities, and the Pursuit of
Pleasure, Power, and Prestige. Lexington, KY: University Press of Kentucky.
Foss, S. K. (2004). Rhetorical criticism: Exploration and practice (3rd ed.). Long Grove,
IL: Waveland Press, Inc.
Humphreys, L. (2005). Tearoom Trade: Impersonal Sex in Public Places. New
Brunswick, NJ: Aldine Transaction
Lindlof, T. R. & Taylor, B. C. (2002). Qualitative communication research methods (2nd
ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.
“Web Site” readings can be found at http://www.uky.edu/~addesa01/Readings667.htm
Assignments
I. Qualitative Research Paper (60%):
After you have read about the theory and practice of qualitative research and
honed your skills through our weekly assignments, you will be asked to write
your own original, data driven paper. This paper can utilize either rhetorical or
ethnographic approaches and can focus on any topic that sparks your passion.
II. Weekly Reading Reviews (40%)
To both reward your reading and to help you create a set of detailed notes on
qualitative research (useful for qualifying exams and for young assistant
professors) you will turn in typed notes on each reading at the beginning of every
class.
Class Expectations
It is expected that as graduate students, you will . . .
1) attend every class.
2) arrive on time.
3) stay for the entirety of the class.
4) read everything that is assigned.
5) participate in class.
6) have a great attitude about this class (i.e., “No Whining”)
7) complete the class on time (i.e., no incompletes)
Weekly Schedule
Web Site material can be found on my web page:
http://www.uky.edu/~addesa01/Readings667.htm
August 22--Course Introduction
August 29—Introduction to Ethnographic Work
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Chapter 3—Design I: Planning in Qualitative Communication
Research Methods by Lindlof & Taylor
An Ethnographic Approach to Communication Studies by Philipsen
Homeboys and Hoods by Conquergood
More than refuge by Dordick (Web Site)
September 5—Theoretical and Epistemological Assumptions of
Ethnographic Research
Readings:
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Three Epistemological Stances by Schwandt (Web Site)
Hans-Georg Gadamer by Outhwaite (Web Site)
Ten Lies of Ethnography by Fine (Web Site)
Hidden Transcripts of Flight Attendant Resistance by Murphy (Web
Site)
September 12—Ethnographic Analysis
Readings:

Coyotes: A Journey Through the Secret World of America’s Illegal Aliens
by Conover
September 19—Ethnographic Analysis
Readings:

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Chapter 4—Design II: Getting Started in Qualitative Communication
Research Methods by Lindlof & Taylor
For whom? by Fine (Web Site)
Stronger than dirt by Lankenau (Web Site)
Murderers’ relatives by May (Web Site)
September 26—Ethnographic Analysis
Readings:
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Chapter 5—Observing in Qualitative Communication Research
Methods by Lindlof & Taylor
Qualitatively different by Kleinman (Web Site)
Smoke screen by DeSantis (Web Site)
Intersections of Eros and Ethnography by Nelson (Web Site)
October 3--Ethnographic Analysis
Readings:

Tearoom Trade: Impersonal sex in public places by Humphreys
October 10—Auto-Ethnographic Analysis
Readings:
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Chapter 6—Asking in Qualitative Communication Research Methods by
Lindlof & Taylor
Autoethnography, personal narrative, reflexivity by Ellis and Bochner
(Web Site)
Creating Criteria by Ellis (Web Site)
A Night in the Life of an Erotic Dancer by Ronzi (Web Site)
In Search of Naunny’s Grave by Trujillo (Web Site)
October 17—Ethnographic Analysis
Readings:
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Chapter 7—Analysis and Interpretation in Qualitative Communication
Research Methods by Lindlof & Taylor
Performance ethnography by McCall (Web Site)
Working in the fantasy factory by Wood (Web Site)
Working the Hyphens by Fine (Web Site)
Publishing Perils by Morris (Web Site)
October 24--Ethnographic Analysis
Readings:

Inside Greek U: Fraternities, Sororities, and the Pursuit of Pleasure,
Power, and Prestige by DeSantis
October 31—Introduction to Rhetorical Studies/Fantasy-Theme
Criticism
Readings:

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Chapter 1--The Nature of Rhetorical Criticism—in Foss
Chapter 2--Doing Rhetorical Criticism—in Foss
Chapter 5--Fantasy-Theme Criticism (skip student papers)—in Foss
Rhetorical Visions of Unmarried Mothers by Endres (Web Site)
November 7— Rhetorical/Feminist and Generic Criticism
Readings:
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Chapter 6--Feminist Criticism (skip student papers)—in Foss
Constructions of Reality on MTVs The Real World by Orbe (Web Site)
Disciplining the Feminine by Blair, Brown and Baxter (Web Site)
Chapter 7--Generic Criticism (skip student papers)—in Foss
They Spoke In Defense of Themselves by Ware and Linkugel (Web Site)
November 14— Rhetorical/Ideological and Metaphorical Criticism
Readings:
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Chapter 8--Ideological Criticism (skip student papers)—in Foss
The Rhetoric of the American Western Myth by Rusing(Web Site)
Chapter 9--Metaphor Criticism (skip student papers)—in Foss
Archetypal Metaphor in Rhetoric: The Light-Dark Family by Osborn
(Web Site)
November 21—No Class
November 28— Rhetorical/Narrative & Generative Criticism
Readings:
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Chapter 10--Narrative Criticism(skip student papers)—in Foss
The Persuasive Appeal of Mediated Terrorism by Brown (Web Site)
Chapter 12-Generative Criticism(skip student papers)—in Foss
Hegemonic masculinity on the mound by Trujillo (Web Site)
December 5— Rhetorical/Social Movement Criticism (Final Class)
Readings:
 The Rhetoric of Black Power by Burgess (Web Site)
 The Rhetoric of Women’s Liberation by Campbell (Web Site)
 The Contemporary American Abortion Controversy by Railsback (Web
Site)
 From Gay is Good to the Scourge of AIDS by Darsey (Web Site)