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74738-01 - Seminar: Qualitative Approaches to Studying Transnational Repression (3 KP)
| Semester | Frühjahrsemester 2025 |
| Angebotsmuster | unregelmässig |
| Dozierende | Shrey Kapoor (shrey.kapoor@unibas.ch, BeurteilerIn) |
| Inhalt | This seminar introduces students to qualitative research approaches for studying transnational repression (TNR), focusing on methodological challenges and innovative solutions. TNR, the practice of authoritarian control reaching across borders, presents unique research challenges: data is often deliberately obscured, affected populations are difficult to access, and traditional methodological frameworks struggle to capture its transnational nature. These challenges require researchers to be both creative and rigorous in their methodological approaches. The course combines theoretical understanding with practical application, moving from foundational concepts of TNR and diaspora politics to specific methodological approaches. Students will learn how to conduct research with sensitive populations, map transnational networks, and leverage digital methods for data collection and verification. Special attention is paid to research ethics and security considerations, acknowledging the particular vulnerabilities of both researchers and research subjects in this field. Through hands-on exercises and critical engagement with existing research, students will develop the skills to design and conduct their own research projects on transnational repression. The seminar is structured to guide students through the complete research process: from conceptualizing TNR and its challenges, through various data collection methods, to the integration and triangulation of different data sources. By the end of the course, students will be equipped to design methodologically sound research projects that can navigate the complex landscape of studying transnational repression while maintaining ethical and security standards. |
| Lernziele | By the end of this course, students will be able to design and critically evaluate research on transnational repression. They will understand the key methodological challenges in studying cross-border authoritarian practices and develop strategies to address them. Students will gain practical experience with core research methods including interviewing vulnerable populations, mapping transnational networks, and using digital investigation techniques. They will learn to integrate different data sources while maintaining ethical standards and security protocols. Most importantly, students will develop the analytical and practical skills needed to conduct empirically grounded research on sensitive political topics, with particular attention to the safety and wellbeing of both researchers and research subjects. |
| Literatur | Alinejad, Donya, Laura Candidatu, Melis Mevsimler, Claudia Minchilli, Sandra Ponzanesi, and Fernando N. Van Der Vlist. 2019. "Diaspora and Mapping Methodologies: Tracing Transnational Digital Connections with 'Mattering Maps.'" Global Networks 19(1):21-43. Baser, Bahar, and Ahmet Erdi Ozturk. 2020. "Positive and Negative Diaspora Governance in Context: From Public Diplomacy to Transnational Authoritarianism." Middle East Critique 29(3):319-34. Bilecen, Başak. 2016. "A Personal Network Approach in Mixed-Methods Design to Investigate Transnational Social Protection." International Review of Social Research 6(4). Chaudhary, Ali R., and Dana M. Moss. 2019. "Suppressing Transnationalism: Bringing Constraints into the Study of Transnational Political Action." Comparative Migration Studies 7(9):1-22. D'Alessandra, Federica, and Kirsty Sutherland. 2021. "The Promise and Challenges of New Actors and New Technologies in International Justice." Journal of International Criminal Justice 19(1):9-34. Dukalskis, Alexander, Saipira Furstenberg, Yana Gorokhovskaia, John Heathershaw, Edward Lemon, and Nate Schenkkan. 2022. "Transnational Repression: Data Advances, Comparisons, and Challenges." Political Research Exchange 4(1):2104651. Fiorella, Giancarlo. 2021. "First Steps to Getting Started in Open Source Research." Bellingcat. Glasius, Marlies. 2018. "Extraterritorial Authoritarian Practices: A Framework." Globalizations 15(2):179-97. Glasius, Marlies, Meta De Lange, Jos Bartman, Emanuela Dalmasso, Aofei Lv, Adele Del Sordi, Marcus Michaelsen, and Kris Ruijgrok. 2018. Research, Ethics and Risk in the Authoritarian Field [Chapters 2 & 4]. Cham: Springer International Publishing. Michaelsen, Marcus, and Johannes Thumfart. 2023. "Drawing a Line: Digital Transnational Repression against Political Exiles and Host State Sovereignty." European Journal of International Security 8(2):151-71. Moss, Dana M. 2018. "The Ties That Bind: Internet Communication Technologies, Networked Authoritarianism, and 'Voice' in the Syrian Diaspora." Globalizations 15(2):265-82. Small, Mario Luis. 2009. "How Many Cases Do I Need?' On Science and the Logic of Case Selection in Field-Based Research." Ethnography 10(1):5-38. Tsourapas, Gerasimos. 2021. "Global Autocracies: Strategies of Transnational Repression, Legitimation, and Co-Optation in World Politics." International Studies Review 23(3):616-44. |
| Bemerkungen | Attention: All Seminars will be graded in the Department of Political Science. Grading scale 6.0 to 1.0, whereupon 4.0 is a pass. The number of participants will be limited. The places are assigned according to date of enrollment and subject of study. Priority will be given to students of Political Science. |
| Teilnahmevoraussetzungen | Attention: All Seminars will be graded in the Department of Political Science. Grading scale 6.0 to 1.0, whereupon 4.0 is a pass. The number of participants will be limited. The places are assigned according to date of enrollment and subject of study. Priority will be given to students of Political Science. |
| Unterrichtssprache | Englisch |
| Einsatz digitaler Medien | kein spezifischer Einsatz |
| Intervall | Wochentag | Zeit | Raum |
|---|---|---|---|
| wöchentlich | Montag | 10.15-11.45 | Bernoullistrasse 14/16, Seminarraum 02.004 |
Einzeltermine
| Datum | Zeit | Raum |
|---|---|---|
| Montag 17.02.2025 | 10.15-11.45 Uhr | Bernoullistrasse 14/16, Seminarraum 02.004 |
| Montag 24.02.2025 | 10.15-11.45 Uhr | Bernoullistrasse 14/16, Seminarraum 02.004 |
| Montag 03.03.2025 | 10.15-11.45 Uhr | Bernoullistrasse 14/16, Seminarraum 02.004 |
| Montag 10.03.2025 | 10.15-11.45 Uhr | Fasnachstferien |
| Montag 17.03.2025 | 10.15-11.45 Uhr | Bernoullistrasse 14/16, Seminarraum 02.004 |
| Montag 24.03.2025 | 10.15-11.45 Uhr | Bernoullistrasse 14/16, Seminarraum 02.004 |
| Montag 31.03.2025 | 10.15-11.45 Uhr | Bernoullistrasse 14/16, Seminarraum 02.004 |
| Montag 07.04.2025 | 10.15-11.45 Uhr | Bernoullistrasse 14/16, Seminarraum 02.004 |
| Montag 14.04.2025 | 10.15-11.45 Uhr | Bernoullistrasse 14/16, Seminarraum 02.004 |
| Montag 21.04.2025 | 10.15-11.45 Uhr | Ostern |
| Montag 28.04.2025 | 10.15-11.45 Uhr | Bernoullistrasse 14/16, Seminarraum 02.004 |
| Montag 05.05.2025 | 10.15-11.45 Uhr | Bernoullistrasse 14/16, Seminarraum 02.004 |
| Montag 12.05.2025 | 10.15-11.45 Uhr | Bernoullistrasse 14/16, Seminarraum 02.004 |
| Montag 19.05.2025 | 10.15-11.45 Uhr | Bernoullistrasse 14/16, Seminarraum 02.004 |
| Montag 26.05.2025 | 10.15-11.45 Uhr | Bernoullistrasse 14/16, Seminarraum 02.004 |
| Module |
Modul: Erweiterung Gesellschaftswissenschaften B.A. (Bachelor Studienfach: Politikwissenschaft) Modul: Regionaler Fokus B.A. (Bachelor Studienfach: Politikwissenschaft) Modul: Vertiefung Politikwissenschaft B.A. (Bachelor Studienfach: Politikwissenschaft) |
| Prüfung | Lehrveranst.-begleitend |
| Hinweise zur Prüfung | The final grade for this course will be based on two components: 1. Student-Led Session Discussion (20%) Students will be responsible for leading one seminar session during the semester, either individually or in pairs depending on class size. This involves: - Presenting the key arguments and methodological insights from the assigned readings - Responding to discussion prompts provided in advance - Facilitating class discussion through prepared questions and group activities - Connecting the readings to broader course themes and methodological challenges 2. Research Design Concept Note (80%) Students will develop a detailed research design focusing on a specific case of transnational repression. The concept note should be approximately 5,000 words and must include: a) Case Identification and Research Question (20%) - Description of the selected case of transnational repression - Identification of key actors, processes, and geographical scope - Clear articulation of research question(s) - Justification of case selection b) Network Analysis Framework (20%) - Mapping of relevant diaspora networks and actors - Strategy for identifying and analyzing network connections - Discussion of network boundaries and access points c) Interview Strategy (20%) - Sampling approach and participant identification - Interview guide development - Discussion of ethical considerations and security protocols - Trust-building and access strategies d) Triangulation Methods (20%) - Integration of digital methods and OSINT techniques - Strategy for cross-referencing different data sources - Discussion of verification approaches - Consideration of limitations and potential challenges The concept note will be evaluated based on methodological rigor, practical feasibility, and attention to ethical and security considerations. |
| An-/Abmeldung zur Prüfung | Anmelden: Belegen; Abmelden: nicht erforderlich |
| Wiederholungsprüfung | keine Wiederholungsprüfung |
| Skala | 1-6 0,5 |
| Belegen bei Nichtbestehen | beliebig wiederholbar |
| Zuständige Fakultät | Philosophisch-Historische Fakultät, studadmin-philhist@unibas.ch |
| Anbietende Organisationseinheit | Fachbereich Politikwissenschaft |