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Doing Ethnographic Research (ANTH20014)
Undergraduate level 2Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
Overview
Availability | Semester 1 |
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Fees | Look up fees |
Ethnographic research is the signature method of socio-cultural anthropology and is increasingly important in a range of other disciplines in the natural and social sciences. In this subject, students participate in a semester-long collaborative research project. Each semester will take a specific institution or locale, within or beyond the University, as an ethnographic fieldsite. Teaching will be seminar style, with short lectures and discussions on the practice of ethnographic research and ample time for developing research plans and sharing research results. Working as individuals and in groups, students will 1) formulate a set of theoretically-informed research questions; 2) design plans for answering those questions through empirical research; 3) develop a protocol for engaging ethically with research subjects; 4) undertake a range of research activities, which may include participating in activities with research subjects, observing public events, mapping social or spatial relationships, and conducting open-ended or semi-structured interviews; 5) interpret the empirical data to produce an ethnographic analysis; and 6) reflect on the challenges and insights of ethnographic research. Through this process, students will deepen their understanding of the craft of research, gain confidence in their research and communication skills, and experience the excitement of ethnographic inquiry.
Intended learning outcomes
- Learn how to formulate theoretically informed questions that can be answered through ethnographic research;
- Undertake hands-on research, gaining practical experience and a critical awareness of the strengths and limitations of diverse ethnographic research techniques;
- Gain new insights into the university and broader community as well as the issue that is the focus of the research for the semester;
- Work collaboratively with peers and instructors on a shared project, making the most of the diverse skills and experiences of individual team members;
- Effectively communicate with peers and a broader audience in oral and written formats.
Last updated: 30 October 2023
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
None
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Recommended background knowledge
ANTH10001 Anthropology: Studying Human Diversity
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 30 October 2023
Assessment
Description | Timing | Percentage |
---|---|---|
Ethnographic analysis
| During the examination period | 50% |
Weekly participation in discussion | Throughout the semester | 10% |
Hurdle requirement Hurdle requirement: Hurdle requirements: Students must attend a minimum of 75% of class meetings in order to pass this subject. All pieces of assessment must be submitted to pass this subject. | Throughout the semester | N/A |
Presentation: Presentation of group research, in oral and written forms, comprising individual contributions of equivalent to 400-words each.
| During the examination period | 20% |
Research Journal: Weekly entries of approx 200 words between Weeks 3-10 inclusive. Formative assessment end of week 6; summative assessment end of week 12.
| Throughout the semester | 20% |
Last updated: 30 October 2023
Dates & times
- Semester 1
Coordinator Debra McDougall Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 26 February 2018 to 27 May 2018 Last self-enrol date 9 March 2018 Census date 31 March 2018 Last date to withdraw without fail 4 May 2018 Assessment period ends 22 June 2018
Last updated: 30 October 2023
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
There are no specifically prescribed or recommended texts for this subject.
- Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
Last updated: 30 October 2023