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

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

Anno accademico 2020/2021

• DOING RESEARCH AND FIELDWORK IN INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION (CPS0372)

Sommario insegnamento

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

Obiettivi formativi

This course aims to stimulate the critically reflexive practice of ethnography; to this aim, it will operate on two interrelated dimensions: one focused on the 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 process by which anthropological knowledge is produced, and to develop their skills with regard to 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 the ethical responsibilities of conducting ethnographic research

5) think critically about fieldwork, analysis and writing

Modalità di insegnamento

This course is designed partially as a workshop, so once a week, usually on Wednesday, students will be expected to do a close reading of assigned texts and to lead the discussion about them. The course has a practical nature; as such, students will work in small groups and individually to apply what they learn during the course in conducting a small-scale ethnographic research of their own choosing.

Modalità di verifica dell'apprendimento

Attending students

Attending students are required to complete one assignment and one group project.

The assignment will take place at the end of the module Research Tools and Methods in Socio-cultural Anthropology. It consists of an individual essay based on the textbook by Hammersley, M. and Atkinson, P., Ethnography. Principles in Practice (2019, fourth edition; or 2007, third edition). If the students wish, an alternative textbook can be agreed upon with the lecturer. In addition, knowledge of the articles and chapters discussed in class will be tested. Students are expected to upload their individual essays on Moodle by April 21st.

The group project will be completed throughout the course Doing Research and Fieldwork in International Cooperation, and it will be run jointly with the module Qualitative Methods in Global South Studies. It consists of a research proposal written by groups of students that should reflect their ability to work as a team. Knowledge of theories and concepts discussed during the courses will be assessed, as well as the formal presentation of the project (e.g., Table of contents, Introduction, Background, Research objectives, Methodology, Outcomes, References). Although each student can contribute in a different way to the project, they will be evaluated as a group. 

Please note: the final mark of the course Doing Research and Fieldwork in International Cooperation will be calculated as follows: the final marks of the two modules Qualitative Methods in Global South Studies and Research Tools and Methods in Socio-cultural Anthropology and the group project will be added up and their sum divided by three. If the arithmetic mean is equal to .5 the result will be rounded up.

Non-attending students

Students will take an oral examination (via Webex in case of restrictions due to Covid-19) based on the textbook by Hammersley, M. and Atkinson, P., Ethnography. Principles in Practice (2019, fourth edition; or 2007, third edition), and on two articles among those posted on Moodle. During the oral examination, students will be asked to answer three questions (10 points for each answer). In answering the questions, students should demonstrate a thorough and critical knowledge on the topic, of the themes and concepts explored in the textbook, as well as their ability to analyze, interpret and creatively discuss these concepts. 

Please note: the final mark of the course Doing Research and Fieldwork in International Cooperation will be calculated as follows: the final marks of the two modules Qualitative Methods in Global South Studies and Research Tools and Methods in Socio-cultural Anthropology will be added up and their sum divided by two. If the arithmetic mean is equal to .5 the result will be rounded up.

Programma

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

Reading:

- Hammersley, M. and Atkinson, P., 2007, Ethnography. Principles in Practice, London-New York, Routledge

Other textbooks and articles will be proposed during the first lesson and discussed throughout the course.

Note

Please enroll in the course on Moodle. All the information, announcements and materials will be posted on the Moodle platform.

Link to the class

On the Moodle page, you will find the link to the virtual classroom where all the sessions of the module Research Tools and Methods in Socio-Cultural Anthropology (A-L) will be held.

Please note that this is not Prof. Maggio's room, which has the following address: https://unito.webex.com/meet/rodolfo.maggio

• Materiale didattico
• Bacheca appelli
• Vai a Moodle
• Visita i forum