Educational Ethnography: History, Theory, and Methods

Catalog description

This seminar shows students how to use ethnographic methods for education research to inform classroom practice and education policy. The course is centered around the idea that school communities serve as key sites for students of all ages to learn to become members of their culture(s). Course readings include historical to contemporary works of researchers who have shaped educational ethnography. We will also read about education in various settings and discuss anthropological explanations of inequities experienced by minority culture communities or marginalized groups. Students will carry out a mini-ethnographic study based on their area of research interest. The course is especially designed for students to be able to conduct ethnographic studies or make use of ethnographic techniques in future research projects.