ANTH43415: Fieldwork and Interpretation
It is possible that changes to modules or programmes might need to be made during the academic year, in response to the impact of Covid-19 and/or any further changes in public health advice.
Type | Open |
---|---|
Level | 4 |
Credits | 15 |
Availability | Available in 2024/2025 |
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 | Frequency | Duration | Total | Monitored |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
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
If you have a question about Durham's modular degree programmes, please visit our Help page. If you have a question about modular programmes that is not covered by the Help page, or a query about the on-line Postgraduate Module Handbook, please contact us.
Prospective Students: If you have a query about a specific module or degree programme, please Ask Us.
Current Students: Please contact your department.