QUALITATIVE METHODS IN SOCIOLOGY:
CASE HISTORIES OF FAMILIES
Instructor:
Daria Dergatcheva, Local Faculty CEP Fellow, Urals State University
MA in Economy and Society, Central European University/Lancaster University UK
Description of the course:
In this course theoretical and methodological aspect of qualitative method in sociology as family
case studies is presented. Theoretical part consists of the review of some works on the
biographical methods as a whole; case family histories in particular and empirical research with
the usage of the latter. Applications of the method are presented in “empirical” part of the
course. They consist of discussions, presentations and constructions of case family histories
studies in accordance with the studied material.
Requirements:
1) Attendance – 20% of the grade
2) Active participation during workshops (including readings and presentations; active
participation in discussions) – 30% of the grade
3) Essay on construction of the case family history (about 3000 words) – 50% of the grade
Syllabus
1.
Introduction to philosophical aspects of the course. Questions of life histories; debates
about qualitative methods (in sociology and interdisciplinary) as a whole. Best usage of
methods: numbers, cases, theory.
Suggested Readings:
Bertaux Daniel, Delcroix Catherine: “Case Histories of Families and Social Processes: Enriching
Sociology” in Prue Chamberleyne, Joanna Bornat and Tom Wengraf Eds: The Turn To
Biographical Methods in Social Science. Comparative Issues and Examples, London and New
York, Routledge, 2000, pp 71-89.
2. Biographical methods and the place of family histories. Changes in the usage of qualitative
methods in sociology (1970s – 1980s). Interconnection of micro and macro levels. Questions of
validity in qualitative methods.
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3. Theoretical basis of the method. Social mobility. Passage of family social capitals. Specific
values, norms, cultural differences, biographical experiences, projects, supported inside families.
Suggested Readings:
On family capitals see the works of Pierre Bourdieu
4. Practical applications of the method. Social transmission during five generations: a history of
the French family from 1880 till 1980. Transmission of the family business through structural and
personal factors.
Suggested readings
Berataux Daniel “Heritage and Its Lineage: A Case History of Transmission and Social Mobility
over Five Generations” in Bertaux and Thompson ed. “Pathways to Social Class. A Qualitative
Approach to Social Mobility”, Oxford, Claredon Press, 1997, pp 62 - 97.
5. Practical applications of the method. Social transmission in extreme situations. History of
families in post-communist societies. An attempt to accumulate new forms of family and personal
capitals (achievement of the status) in the conditions of socialist societies.
Suggested Readings:
Bertaux Daniel “Transmission in Extreme Situations: Russian Families Expropriated by the
October Revolution”, in Bertaux and Thompson ed. Pathways to Social Class. A Qualitative
Approach to Social Mobility, Oxford, Clarendon Press, 1997, pp 230 – 258.
6. Practical applications of the method. Family case histories in the study of poverty, exclusion
Suggested Readings:
Lewis Oscar “The Children of Sanchez”, 1962.
Journals “Socis” – selected articles on poverty (students’ choice)
7. Life histories and family case histories in the study of migrations, immigrations. Comparison
with the demographical approach.
8. Ethnography, history, and folk studies: interdisciplinary approach to the family history studies.
Suggested Readings:
Razumova I.A. “Hidden Knowledge of the Contemporary Russian Family”, Moscow, 2001
Reinhert Z. “Social Hisotry of Family in the Western and Central Europe (end of 18th – 20th
centuries)”
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9.
Workshop: presentations on family history (students’ own choice – either his/her family or (if
there is enough information – somebody else’s). Discussions and conclusions, analysis of the
presentations by the group. Timing: one presentation/discussion per academic hour. Overall (for
the group of eight people) – eight academic hours, or four classes.
See “Appendix 1” for the description of family lineage construction (adapted from Dr. Daniel
Bertaux)
List of Readings for the Course:
1) Bertaux Daniel “Heritage and Its Lineage: A Case History of Transmission and Social
Mobility over Five Geneations” in Bertaux and Thompson ed., Pathways To Social Class,
A Qualitative Approach to Social Mobility, Oxford, Claredon Press, 1997, pp. 62-97.
2) Bertaux Daniel “Transmission in Extreme Situations: Russian Families Expropriated by
the October Revolution”, in Bertaux and Thompson ed. Pathways to Social Class. A
Qualitative Approach to Social Mobility, Oxford, Clarendon Press, 1997, pp 230 – 258.
3) Bertaux Daniel, Delcroix Catherine: “Case Histories of Families and Social Processes:
Enriching Sociology” in Prue Chamberleyne, Joanna Bornat and Tom Wengraf Eds: The
Turn To Biographical Methods in Social Science. Comparitive Issues and Examples,
London and New York, Routledge, 2000, pp 71-89.
4) Lewis Oscar The Children of Sanchez, 1962.
5) Берто Д. Трансмиссии социального статуса в экстремальной ситуации// Судьбы
людей: Россия, XX век, 1996. (Bertaux D. “Transmission of Social Status in Extreme
Situation// Destinies of People: Russia. 20th century. Moscow, 1996)
6) Bourdieu Pierre “Distinction”
7) Зидер Райнхард «Социальная История Семьи в Западной и Центральной Европе
(конец XVIII – XX век)» (Reinhert Z. “Social History of Family in the Western and
Central Europe (end of 18th – 20th centuries)”, Moscow, 2000).
8) Разумова И.А. «Потаенное знание современной русской семьи», Москва, 2001
(Razumova I.A. “Hidden Knowledge of the Contemporary Russian Family”, Moscow,
2001
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