Ethnographic Field Methods

Catalog description

This course explores the history and practice of ethnographic field research and engages central debates about ethnographic method. The readings prompt deeper reflection on doing field research, and challenges students to think about anthropological ways of knowing. Students will be required to carry out field research, define and design a project, recording (through field notes or other methods) every step of the way. This is thus a writing- and field research-intensive course. It is organized into several practical components—constituting 'the field,' participant-observation ('deep hanging out'), interviewing, and writing up findings. Students will get the chance to put several key methods into practice —analyzing spaces, collecting life histories, doing semi-structured interviews and conducting participant-observation. Students will also have the option to experiment with other methods of collecting data, including the use of photography or digital video. 001348