Ethnography and Ethnographic method, 7.5 credits

Entry requirements

Entry requirement for studies on third-cycle education courses

• second-cycle degree,
• 240 credits in required courses, including at least 60 second-cycle credits, or
• acquisition of equivalent knowledge in some other manner

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course students will be able to:

• Demonstrate understanding of ethnography and its underlying logic
• Explain and apply key ethnographic research methods
• Demonstrate knowledge of the relationship between ethnographic analysis and theory
• Reflexively consider ethical issues related to ethnographic fieldwork
• Critically discuss the question of quality in ethnographic writing
• Apply some of the course content to an actual or imagined ethnographic research project

Contents

The course provides an in-depth introduction to ethnography and ethnographic method. The course covers aspects such as the logic of ethnography, fieldwork relations and rapport, participant observations, the writing of fieldnotes, ethnographic interviewing, ethnographic analysis, ethical issues, and quality in ethnographic writing.

Educational methods

Educational methods applied in this course are combined lecture and seminar sessions and individual preparatory assignments. Students are expected to prepare for sessions and to actively participate during seminars.

Examination

The course is examined continuously through active participation in the sessions, and through a final written paper. Absence from the sessions needs to be supplemented with written assignments which can be submitted either during or at the end of the course.

Students who fail are offered one re-examination occasion in close connection to the course. After that participation in a coming course examination is offered. The re-examination will be equally comprehensive as the ordinary examination.

Grades are Pass or Fail.

Grading

Course literature

A list of recommended literature will be provided by the course coordinator before the start of the course.

General information

The course is planned and carried out according to what is stated in this syllabus. Course evaluation, analysis and suggestions for improvement should be fed back to the Research and PhD studies Committee (FUN) by the course coordinator.

If the course is withdrawn or is subject to major changes, examination according to this syllabus is normally offered at three occasions within/in close connection to the two following semesters.