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AT5546: ETHNOGRAPHIC RESEARCH METHODS 1: CORE SKILLS (2019-2020)

Last modified: 25 Sep 2019 09:58


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 1
Session Second Sub Session 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 31 August 2023 for 1st half-session courses and 22 December 2023 for 2nd half-session courses.

Summative Assessments

Essay

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 55
Assessment Weeks 35 Feedback Weeks 38

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Feedback

Critical analysis

Written feedback will be provided within two weeks of submission.

Word Count 1500
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
Sorry, we don't have this information available just now. Please check the course guide on MyAberdeen or with the Course Coordinator

Essay

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 15
Assessment Weeks 29 Feedback Weeks 31

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Feedback

Ethics and Politics.

Written feedback will be provided within two weeks of submission.

Word Count 500
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
Sorry, we don't have this information available just now. Please check the course guide on MyAberdeen or with the Course Coordinator

Essay

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 15
Assessment Weeks 32 Feedback Weeks 34

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Feedback

Reflection on fieldwork activities.

Written feedback will be provided within two weeks of submission.

Word Count 500
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
Sorry, we don't have this information available just now. Please check the course guide on MyAberdeen or with the Course Coordinator

Essay

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 15
Assessment Weeks 27 Feedback Weeks 29

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Feedback

Retrospective analysis of ethnographic methods.

Written feedback will be provided within two weeks of submission.

Word Count 500
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
Sorry, we don't have this information available just now. Please check the course guide on MyAberdeen or with the Course Coordinator

Formative Assessment

Essay

Assessment Type Formative Weighting
Assessment Weeks 26 Feedback Weeks 28

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Feedback

Propose a 'dream' ethnography.

Written feedback will be provided within two weeks of submission.

Word Count 300
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
Sorry, we don't have this information available just now. Please check the course guide on MyAberdeen or with the Course Coordinator

Resit Assessments

Essay

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 100
Assessment Weeks 41 Feedback Weeks 44

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Feedback Written feedback will be provided within two weeks of submission. Word Count 3000
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
Sorry, we don't have this information available just now. Please check the course guide on MyAberdeen or with the Course Coordinator

Course Learning Outcomes

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

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