AT3035: DOING ANTHROPOLOGICAL RESEARCH (2021-2022)

Last modified: 31 May 2022 13:05

Course Overview

This course aims to acquaint students with the practical, methodological and theoretical issues associated with anthropological research. It examines critically different methodological approaches and the relation between fieldwork experiences and ethnographic production. The course is run through a series of student-led seminars with guest anthropologists, tutorials and workshops which involve practical activities. Issues covered include preparation for fieldwork, framing research questions, collecting ethnographic data and presenting ethnographic interpretations. An important part of the assessment is a small individual research project chosen, designed and carried out by the student.

Course Details

Study Type	Undergraduate	Level	3
Term	First Term	Credit Points	30 credits (15 ECTS credits)
Campus	Aberdeen	Sustained Study	No
Co-ordinators	Dr Margaret Bolton

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

Programme Level 3
MA Anthropology

What other courses must be taken with this course?

None.

What courses cannot be taken with this course?

AT3031 Doing Anthropological Research (Passed)

Are there a limited number of places available?

Course Description

This course is intended to acquaint students with the practical, methodological and theoretical issues associated with anthropological research. We will look critically at different methodological approaches and the relationship between fieldwork experiences and ethnographic production. The course will run as a combination of student led seminars and methodological workshops. Each weekly module will address a different element of ethnographic practice and focus on the changing dynamics of ethnographic research. Topics will also include interviewing, taking fieldnotes and other skills and techniques of anthropology in the field. While seminars and tutorials for this course will cover intellectual currents and debates relating to methodological issues in anthropology, and workshops will have a strong practical element, practical issues covered nclude preparing for fieldwork, framing research questions, collecting ethnographic data and presenting ethnographic interpretations. The research assignment will cover both practical and written elements of ethnographic production.

Contact Teaching Time

Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.

Teaching Breakdown

More Information about Week Numbers

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

Alternative Assessment

Research Outline (600-1000 Words) 10%

Essay (2000 words) 20%

Research Assignment Report (3500 words) 40%

Written 2-hour exam (2 questions) 30%

Alternative Resit Assessment

Take-home exam (2 questions, time allowed 7 days)

Formative Assessment

Discussion Board Contributions (1 question each board)

Complete 7 Online Learning Journal Entries

Course Learning Outcomes

Knowledge Level	Thinking Skill	Outcome
Factual	Remember	ILO’s for this course are available in the course guide.