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Fieldwork: Anthropology in Practice (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
Semester 1
Overview
Availability | Semester 1 |
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Fees | Look up fees |
Ethnographic research enables us to grasp the complexity and diversity of human experience. This subject provides an invaluable opportunity for students early in their studies of anthropology and related fields to undertake hands-on research in field sites close to home. In 2019, we will focus on understanding aspects of the student experience at the University of Melbourne. Teaching is seminar style, with short lectures and discussions of the practice of ethnographic research. Much of our meeting time will be focused on collaboratively developing research plans, sharing research results, and making sense of our findings. 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 essay
| During the examination period | 40% |
Research notes: Observations and interviews written up and shared with class
| Week 10 | 30% |
Research presentation
| During the teaching period | 20% |
Participation: Preparation for and contribution to class 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 |
Last updated: 30 October 2023
Dates & times
- Semester 1
Coordinator Debra McDougall Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours A 3 hour seminar per week for 12 weeks. Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 4 March 2019 to 2 June 2019 Last self-enrol date 15 March 2019 Census date 31 March 2019 Last date to withdraw without fail 10 May 2019 Assessment period ends 28 June 2019 Semester 1 contact information
Last updated: 30 October 2023
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
Madden, Raymond. 2017. Being ethnographic: A guide to the theory and practice of ethnography. 2nd ed. London: Sage Publications.
An accessible introduction to ethnography that reflects on both academic and applied ethnographic research in Australia.
Blum, Susan D. 2016. "I love learning; I hate school": An anthropology of college. Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Press.
This anthropological study of college challenges taken-for-granted ideas about the value of schooling. It is assigned to open questions for this semester’s research project.
Recommended texts and other resources
O’Reilly, Karen. 2012. Ethnographic Methods, 2nd ed. London: Routledge.
Robben, Antonius C. G. M and Jeffrey A. Sluka (eds) 2007 Ethnographic Fieldwork: An Anthropological Reader. Malden, MA: Blackwell.
- 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.
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
This subject is available to students studying at the University from eligible overseas institutions on exchange and study abroad. Students are required to satisfy any listed requirements, such as pre- and co-requisites, for enrolment in the subject.
Last updated: 30 October 2023