Undergraduate Course: Ethnography: Theory and Practice (SCAN08005)
Course Outline
School | School of Social and Political Science |
College | College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences |
Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 8 (Year 2 Undergraduate) |
Availability | Available to all students |
SCQF Credits | 20 |
ECTS Credits | 10 |
Summary | This course introduces undergraduate students to the theory and practice of ethnographic fieldwork. At the heart of this course is collaborative project in which students will learn about qualitative methods by putting them to the test in practical group work. Their collective ethnographies will require them to write extensive field notes, which will be assessed, and which will function as an extended period of learning to write effectively in an academic manner. The course will be open to all second year undergraduates within the School of Social and Political Science. |
Course description |
This course introduces undergraduate students to the theory and practice of ethnographic fieldwork. At the heart of this course is collaborative project in which students will learn about qualitative methods by working as a group to undertake ethnographic research concerning a space or place in Edinburgh of their own choosing. This project will involve participant observation, and the writing of fieldnotes, conducting interviews, and the writing of an interview transcript, and culminate in the writing and submission of a project report based upon the research undertaken by the group.
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites |
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Co-requisites | |
Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
Information for Visiting Students
Pre-requisites | None |
High Demand Course? |
Yes |
Course Delivery Information
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Academic year 2021/22, Available to all students (SV1)
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Quota: 200 |
Course Start |
Semester 2 |
Timetable |
Timetable |
Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
200
(
Lecture Hours 9,
Seminar/Tutorial Hours 11,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
176 )
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Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
0 %,
Coursework
100 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
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Additional Information (Assessment) |
The whole assessment is based upon the work towards a collaborative ethnographic research project that you will undertake in teams.
The final mark for the collaborative research project will be assessed by:
a) Assessment of an individual 3,000 word writing assignment describing and reflecting on ethnographic methods including: 1) a fieldnotes extract 2) an interview transcript 3) a reflection on the experience of using ethnographic methods (50%).
b) Assessment of a 4,000-5,000 word group project report (45%).
c) Peer assessment of the contribution towards project work, including the writing of the project report. (5%).
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Feedback |
Written feedback will be provided on two of three assessed components: the individual writing assignment (ethnographic methods and reflection) and the final project report. The only exception is the peer assessment component. In addition, continuous feedback concerning the progress of the group projects will be provided in conversation with the tutors and the course organiser.
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No Exam Information |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Have a thorough understanding of ethnography as a qualitative method, both practically and theoretically,
- Have engaged in a collaborative research project, learned how to work in research teams, and have gained an understanding of the practice of ethnographic fieldwork and its methodology.
- Exercised and improved their writing skills through the writing of field notes, research reports and an ethnographic essay.
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Additional Information
Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Not entered |
Special Arrangements |
Only students enrolled on single Honours or joint Honours Social Anthropology can be enrolled on this course. All other students must take Introduction to Social Anthropology |
Additional Class Delivery Information |
Lectures and 1 hour tutorials begin in week 1. |
Keywords | Ethnography,Qualitative Method,Collaborative Research,Fieldwork,Writing Skills |
Contacts
Course organiser | Prof Alexander Edmonds
Tel:
Email: alex.edmonds@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Mr Ewen Miller
Tel: (0131 6)50 3925
Email: Ewen.Miller@ed.ac.uk |
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