Corsi di Studio del Dipartimento di Culture, Politica e Società

RESEARCH TOOLS AND METHODS IN SOCIO-CULTURAL ANTHROPOLOGY (A-L)

Research Tools and Methods in Socio-cultural Anthropology (A-L)

Anno accademico 2023/2024

Sommario insegnamento

• Obiettivi formativi
• Risultati dell'apprendimento attesi
• Programma
• Modalità di insegnamento
• Modalità di verifica dell'apprendimento
• Attività di supporto
• Testi consigliati e bibliografia
• Note
• Strumenti didattici
• Scheda del corso

Obiettivi formativi

This course aims to introduce the students to the critically reflexive practice of ethnography. It will thus operate on two interrelated dimensions: one focused on current theoretical approaches to ethnographic research, the other on training students in the application of specific research techniques. The twofold aim of this course is to provide students with deeper insight of the various processes and contexts within which anthropological knowledge is produced, and to allow them to develop new skills for the collection and analysis of ethnographic data.

Risultati dell'apprendimento attesi

By the end of the course, students are expected to be able to:

1) identify and discuss research problems

2) select and apply appropriate research methods for ethnographic research

3) develop research strategies and write a research proposal

4) examine some ethical responsibilities embedded in ethnographic research

5) think critically about fieldwork, data analysis and writing

Programma

Following a first introductory week - where general and basic issues on qualitative research and its application to development issues are explored - the course will address the following general topics:

1. Anthropology and Ethnography
2. Participant Observation
3. Interviewing
4. Field notes
5. Research Design and Preparation
6. Ethics

Modalità di insegnamento

The course will be held in person on Campus.
All relevant information on the course will be posted on the Moodle page of the course, where students will also find a forum for questions and answers, as well as articles and learning material. 

This course is partially designed as a interactive: once a week, usually on Wednesdays, students are expected to do a close reading of assigned texts and lead their discussion. Finally, the course has a practical nature: students will work in small groups to apply what they learn about how to conceive and write up an ethnographic project.

Modalità di verifica dell'apprendimento

Attending students

Attending students are required to complete a written exam anda group project during the Summer session (June-July, or September).

The written exam is based on:

- 4 Chapters from Hammersley M., Atkinson P. (2019), Ethnography. Principles in Practice, London-New York, Routledge:

• ch. 3: Access  
• ch. 4: Field relations
• ch. 5: Oral accounts and the role of interviewing
• ch. 7: Recording and organizing data

AND

- 5 articles to be selected from the reading list provided on Moodle. All articles will be uploaded in Moodle after the course begins.

The group work consists of writing up a research proposal that should reflect students' ability to work as a team, to make use of theories and concepts discussed during the courses, and to formally present a project (e.g., Table of contents, Introduction, Background, Research objectives, Methodology, Outcomes, References). Although students individually contribute to the project, they will be evaluated as a group. The group work is common to the module Qualitative Methods in Global South Studies (and coordinated with the course INCODE). All group works have to be handed in by May 31st.

Non-attending students

Non-attending students take a written examination based (only) on the whole textbook:

Hammersley M., Atkinson P., 2019, Ethnography. Principles in Practice, Routledge, London-New York.

During the examination, students will be asked to answer 3 questions (10 points for each answer). In answering the questions, students should demonstrate a thorough and critical knowledge of topics and concepts explored in the textbook, as well as their ability to analyze, interpret and creatively discuss these concepts. 

THE FINAL EVALUATION OF THE COURSE DOING RESEARCH AND FIELDWORK IN INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION:

FOR NON ATTENDING STUDENTS: IT WILL CONSIST IN THE ARITHMETIC MEAN OF THE FINAL EVALUATION OF THE TWO MODULES "QUALITATIVE METHODS IN GLOBAL SOUTH STUDIES" AND "RESEARCH TOOLS AND METHODS IN SOCIO-CULTURAL ANTHROPOLOGY" (WITH ROUNDING UP IF THE ARITHMETIC MEAN IS EQUAL TO .5).

FOR ATTENDING STUDENTS: IT WILL CONSIST IN THE ARITHMETIC MEAN OF THE FINAL EVALUATION OF THE TWO MODULES "QUALITATIVE METHODS IN GLOBAL SOUTH STUDIES"
AND "RESEARCH TOOLS AND METHODS IN SOCIO-CULTURAL ANTHROPOLOGY", AND OF THE EVALUATION OF GROUP WORK (COUNTING 1/3 EACH).

Attività di supporto

None

Other course material (i.e. chapters and articles) will be uploaded on Moodle and discussed throughout the course.

Note

The course will take place  from Monday to Wednesday on Campus from 2 to 4 pm. 

All students are requested to register on the Moodle course page before the start of the course, since all information and materials will be posted on that platform.

Insegnamenti che mutuano questo insegnamento

• RESEARCH TOOLS AND METHODS IN SOCIO-CULTURAL ANTHROPOLOGY (A-L) (CPS0864)
  Corsi di Studio del Dipartimento di Culture, Politica e Società

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