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ANTH43415: Fieldwork and Interpretation

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Type	Open
Level	4
Credits	15
Availability	Available in 2023/24
Module Cap
Location	Durham
Department	Anthropology

Prerequisites

None

Corequisites

None

Excluded Combinations of Modules

None

Aims

To give students a comprehensive view of qualitative field methods used by social sciences, including the collection, management and interpretation of qualitative data.

Content

Relation of explanatory theories to methods of research.
Ethnography and participant observation.
Interviewing, such as semi-structured and ethnographic interviews, life history interviews.
Focus groups and participatory research methods, such as audio-visual methods.
Power relations and reflexivity in qualitative research.
Management and analysis of qualitative data.
Ethical issues in qualitative research.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:

A comprehensive overview of qualitative field methods used by social scientists.
A thorough understanding of the ways in which social scientists interpret ethnographic and other qualitative data.

Subject-specific Skills:

To be able to use effectively a range of qualitative social research techniques, including ethnography and participant observation, individual and group-based interviews, and participatory research methods.
To be able to analyse and interpret qualitative data.
To understand the relationships between method and theory.
To appreciate some of the ethical issues inherent in qualitative social research

Key Skills:

Critical engagement with literature.
Written communication skills: producing a clear and well-argued research report.
Reflexivity: reflecting on own research practice.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

Lectures: to introduce each topic, present key literature and frame theoretical considerations.
Seminars: accompanying discussion/reflections.
Practical exercises: to give students hands-on experience of using each method with their peers.
Assessment via a reflexive portfolio of practical write-ups, incorporating theoretical as well as practical reflections.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity	Number	Duration	Total
Lectures	7	1 hour	7
Seminars	7	1 hour	7
Practical exercises	5	1 hour	5
Preparation and Reading			131
Total			150

Summative Assessment

Component: Coursework		Component Weighting: 100%
Element	Length / Duration	Element Weighting	Resit Opportunity
Portfolio: reflexive write-ups of practical classes.	3000 words	100

Formative Assessment

Portfolio assessment: reflexive write-up of one practical assignment (c. 500 words) with individual written feedback.

More information

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