Anthropology: Methodology and Analysis

Course content

This course provides an introduction to ethnographic methods and qualitative research techniques; theoretically as well as practically. Students will be introduced to and trained in anthropological methods by way of anthropological literature and practical exercises and are expected to form groups to plan and carry out their own ethnographic project. Focusing on in-depth interviews, focus group interviews and participant-observation the course will give students an insight into the core methods used in anthropological fieldwork. It will introduce the different techniques that anthropologists use to open up social and cultural worlds, clarify the different types of findings they produce, and dwell on the way they supplement each other.

Learning outcome

Skills

  • Identify and assess the significance of field worker position in the exercise

  • Identify and assess the significance of access to the field in the exercise

  • Identify and assess ethical issues related to the fieldwork exercise

  • Assess chosen methods in relation to an anthropological problem and fieldwork setting.

Knowledge

  • Demonstrate the appropriateness (or relevance) of the choice of field (including the specific setting and the people under consideration) for the problem statement (In other words, why investigate THIS problem HERE?)

  • Formulate the methodological reflections on the completed field exercise in relation to selected methodological discussions in anthropology.

Competences

  • Prepare and carry through an ethnographic fieldwork exercise based on an explicit statement of an anthropological problem

  • Sketch theoretical and analytical perspectives in relation to the problem statement and the ethnographic data generated

The course falls in four phases; 1) An introduction to anthropology and ethnographic praxis. In this phase the students will also form fieldwork groups based on interest; field site(s) and topic. 2) Methods and exercises 3) Fieldwork exercise (3 weeks) 4) Project presentations and workshop on working with qualitative material. The teaching methods are a combination of lectures, seminar discussions, work in groups and student presentations.

BSc students and MSc students: 500 pages e-compendium + 1 monography.

The teacher will publish 200-300 pages of supplementary literature.

Course literature will be available through Absalon on the course website.

Continuous feedback during the course of the semester

The guiding didactic principle in class is appreciative feedback.

Before initiating on their ethnographic projects, the students will receive written feedback, first on their written problem statements, later on their research proposals. The students can receive supervision during their fieldwork exercise.

ECTS
15 ECTS
Type of assessment
Written assignment
Students following the course "Anthropology: Methodology and analysis" must hand in a field report at the end of the semester. You can hand in the report individually or in a group of maximum 4 persons. If you are a group, you can find the formal requirements for the assignment here: https:/​/​kunet.ku.dk/​study/​anthropology-ma/​Pages/​Topic.aspx?topic=Written take-home assignment&topicId=265ca0b2-9132-4e58-b45e-a5a4243593fe#265ca0b2-9132-4e58-b45e-a5a4243593fe.

The fieldreport must be min. 31.500 and max. 38.500 keystrokes + min. 4.500 and max. 5.500 per ekstra member of the group, ie. if you are 3 students working together your fieldreport must be min. 40.500 and max. 49.500 keystrokes. The fieldreport will be assessed according to the Danish grading scale. The contribution of each student must be ascertainable to ensure that each student receive an individual assessment.
Aid
All aids allowed
Marking scale
7-point grading scale
Censorship form
No external censorship
Criteria for exam assessment

See description of learning outcome. Formalities for Written Works must be fulfilled, read more: MSc Students/ BA students (in Danish)/ exchange and credit

  • Category
  • Hours
  • Lectures
  • 45
  • Preparation
  • 185
  • Exercises
  • 9
  • Excursions
  • 100
  • Guidance
  • 1
  • Exam
  • 74
  • English
  • 414