The course provides a thorough grounding in primary research methods in cultural anthropology. It is an exploration of the methodological approaches we commonly think of as qualitative research, considered through the analytical and practical study of fieldwork and ethnography. In these classes, we will attend to questions of knowledge, location, evidence, ethics, power, translation, experience, and the way theoretical problems can be framed in terms of qualitative research using ethnographic sensibilities.
The course will cover the basic techniques for collecting, interpreting, and analyzing ethnographic data. Throughout the semester, the course will operate on two interrelated dimensions, one focused on the theoretical approaches to conducting ethnographic research (methodologies), the other focused on the practical techniques of conducting a small-scale ethnographic project (methods), e.g. identifying and interviewing key informants, collecting field notes, analyzing data, writing, and presenting findings. We will consider questions such as the following theoretical dimensions: What is “qualitative” or “ethnographic” research? What work does it do? What is the relationship between ethnographic researchers, research subjects and research itself? We will also consider practical questions such as: How do you go about starting a project? How do you connect research design and data collection? How should one structure an interview schedule? How many interviews are enough? How does one write good fieldnotes? What is coding? What are themes? How does one write an ethnographic paper? How does one give a presentation based on interview data?
By the end of the semester, students will be familiar with the history of the discipline’s research techniques and with the way they are currently practiced. Through readings, lectures and digital resources, the course will present students with the opportunity to consider the ethical, philosophical and practical issues faced by cultural anthropologists doing field research. Students will also design, carry out and write a series of ethnographic exercises linked directly to their Pro gradu theses topics. These short projects are intended to familarise students first-hand with the various challenges and issues involved in how ethnographic research is done today, while ensuring they are continually building methodological competency for their thesis research and writing work.
The course will cover the basic techniques for collecting, interpreting, and analyzing ethnographic data. Throughout the semester, the course will operate on two interrelated dimensions, one focused on the theoretical approaches to conducting ethnographic research (methodologies), the other focused on the practical techniques of conducting a small-scale ethnographic project (methods), e.g. identifying and interviewing key informants, collecting field notes, analyzing data, writing, and presenting findings. We will consider questions such as the following theoretical dimensions: What is “qualitative” or “ethnographic” research? What work does it do? What is the relationship between ethnographic researchers, research subjects and research itself? We will also consider practical questions such as: How do you go about starting a project? How do you connect research design and data collection? How should one structure an interview schedule? How many interviews are enough? How does one write good fieldnotes? What is coding? What are themes? How does one write an ethnographic paper? How does one give a presentation based on interview data?
By the end of the semester, students will be familiar with the history of the discipline’s research techniques and with the way they are currently practiced. Through readings, lectures and digital resources, the course will present students with the opportunity to consider the ethical, philosophical and practical issues faced by cultural anthropologists doing field research. Students will also design, carry out and write a series of ethnographic exercises linked directly to their Pro gradu theses topics. These short projects are intended to familarise students first-hand with the various challenges and issues involved in how ethnographic research is done today, while ensuring they are continually building methodological competency for their thesis research and writing work.
- Lärare: Roger Norum