Exploring Ethnography

Course goals

Advanced understanding of major aspects of ethnographic fieldwork and writing:
•         Thorough knowledge of qualitative methodologies.
•         Reflection on the status of fieldwork during empirical research.
•         Close understanding of the relation between epistemology and methodology.
•         In-depth acquaintance with ethical dilemmas in the field.
•         Awareness of the complexities of producing ethnographic research output.
•         Development of oral presentation skills and the chairing of seminar discussion.
•         Development of academic writing and research skills through two critical essays on the readings and one major final essay.
 
 

Content

This course examines the unique research methodology of ethnographic fieldwork. Among the key questions this course tackles is the methodological progression from the description and interpretation of everyday social semiotics and social relations, both from the observers' viewpoint as well as the claims of those being observed, to the identification of key patterns that underlie and organize the meanings and social relations that are observed or reported by those being observed. Based on these patterns, ethnographers make general interpretations or arguments about social life. The intent is to build a thorough foundation for understanding fundamental epistemological, methodological and ethical questions regarding the nature of observation and evidence, as well as the complexities of explanation and depiction, through an in-depth reflection on the intricate relation between anthropologist and informant, ethical dilemmas, epistemological approaches and writing styles


Schedule:
For a week-by-week class schedule, please consult the course manual.

Commitment:
Utrecht University has an official course commitment policy. This policy consists of:

• 80% attendance in seminars (only a maximum of 20% absence is accepted, irrespective of the reasons).
• Handing in papers and assignments on time; and
• Obligatory participation in seminars.

Overdue papers are downgraded with a one point per day penalty. There exists no collective possibility to resubmit rewritten papers. Only students who have complied with all commitment policy requirements will be given one additional chance to submit a rewritten paper within three weeks after the course ended. Resubmission is not a right of students but a privilege given by the course coordinator on a case-to-case basis, and therefore require his permission.