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AT5048: AN INTRODUCTION TO ETHNOGRAPHIC RESEARCH METHODS (2020-2021)

Last modified: 05 Aug 2021 13:04


Course Overview

Ethnography brings you closer to your social world by giving you new insights into cultures communities and organisations. This online course explores qualitative techniques in social science through the practice of ethnography. Skills covered include participant observation, fieldnotes, interviewing and practical learning, while also exploring the ethics of research and analysis. Teaching materials include online video lectures, specially selected readings and a range of supplementary content.

Course Details

Study Type Postgraduate Level 5
Term First Term Credit Points 15 credits (7.5 ECTS credits)
Campus Aberdeen Sustained Study No
Co-ordinators
  • Dr Jo Vergunst

What courses & programmes must have been taken before this course?

  • Any Postgraduate Programme

What other courses must be taken with this course?

None.

What courses cannot be taken with this course?

None.

Are there a limited number of places available?

No

Course Description

Ethnography brings you closer to your social world by giving you new insights into cultures, communities and organisations. This bespoke online course explores qualitative techniques in social science through the practice of ethnography. You will gain the core skills of participant observation, taking fieldnotes, interviewing and practical learning, while also exploring the ethics of research and how to analyse information you have discovered. Teaching materials include online video lectures, specially selected readings and a range of supplementary content informed by the diverse experiences of Aberdeen anthropologists. All students will have an online portfolio space to develop their work and communicate with other course participants, while a dedicated course tutor will provide individual guidance and feedback.

 

The course will allow you to demonstrate your new skills through a series of written reports and assignments. We start with an exercise proposing a ‘dream’ ethnographic project to get students thinking about the scope of ethnography. Three short reports (500 words each) then explore the key themes of the course: an analysis of ethnographic methods in published research; a discussion of the ethics and politics of ethnography; and a report on a practical learning activity introduced in the course. The final essay (1500 words) takes a critical approach to ethnography and begins the process of coming up with your own research project.

 

By the end of the course you will be able to:

  • define and describe what ethnography is
  • demonstrate skills in a range of ethnographic research methods
  • sustain ethical positions in research
  • analyse ethnographic data
  • start designing your own ethnographic research project

Details, including assessments, may be subject to change until 30 August 2024 for 1st term courses and 20 December 2024 for 2nd term courses.

Summative Assessments

3 Shorts Essays (500 words) - 45%

Essay (1500 words) - 55%

Alternative Resit Arrangements

If required the resit would be a second attempt at whatever part of the assignment the student/s fail. 

Formative Assessment

Discussion Board Posts (4x 200 words)

Course Learning Outcomes

Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
ProceduralAnalyseAnalyse ethnographic data.
ConceptualUnderstandDefine and describe what ethnography is.
ReflectionEvaluateSustain ethical positions in research.
ProceduralApplyDemonstrate skills in a range of ethnographic research methods.
ReflectionCreateStart designing your own ethnographic research project.

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