Veidlapa Nr. M-3 (8)
Study Course Description
Ethnographic Methods and Research Desingn, Fieldwork
Course Code
SZF_267
Branch of Science
Social Anthropology; Sociology and social work
ECTS
12.00
Target Audience
Social Anthropology
LQF
Level 7
Study Type And Form
Full-Time
Study Course Implementer
Course Supervisor
Klāvs Sedlenieks
Structure Unit Manager
Ieva Puzo
Structural Unit
Faculty of Social Sciences
Contacts
SZF, Kuldigas Street 9C, szf@rsu.lv
About Study Course
Objective
The goal of the course is to allow students to carry out a long-term ethnographic fieldwork, using the methods of social anthropology while reflecting regularly about the methodologica, ethical and analytic challenges under the guidance of their supervisors and instructors.
Preliminary Knowledge
Qualitative research methods in anthropology, anthropology theories and modern debates
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge
1.identify topics and analytical directions relevant to empirical material;
Individual work and tests
Final oral presentation
2.organise and structure their fieldwork over a long period of time; develop and maintain research relationships with study participants; apply different ethnographic methods (split observation, interviews, informal conversations, digital methods); systematically document field work (field notes, reflex records); identify topics and analytical directions relevant to empirical material; reflecting verbally and in writing on the field work process and challenges.
Individual work and tests
fieldwork portfolio
Skills
1.develop and maintain research relationships with study participants;
Individual work and tests
fieldwork portfolio
2.apply different ethnographic methods (split observation, interviews, informal conversations, digital methods);
Individual work and tests
fieldwork portfolio
3.systematically document field work (field notes, reflex records);
Individual work and tests
fieldwork portfolio
4.reflecting verbally and in writing on the field work process and challenges.
Individual work and tests
Final oral presentation
Competences
1.independently carry out long-term ethnographic field work in a real social environment;
Individual work and tests
fieldwork portfolio
2.to make sound methodological and ethical decisions in changing field situations;
Individual work and tests
Final oral presentation
3.reflecting on his role as a researcher, positionality and impact on the research field;
Individual work and tests
Final oral presentation
4.work with empirical material to the professional and ethical standards of social anthropology.
Individual work and tests
fieldwork portfolio
Assessment
Individual work
|
Title
|
% from total grade
|
Grade
|
|---|---|---|
|
1.
fieldwork portfolio |
70.00% from total grade
|
10 points
|
|
Student presents a selection of notes taken during field work to his or her supervisor |
||
|
2.
Final oral presentation |
30.00% from total grade
|
10 points
|
|
Students present their field work experience, summarizing the most significant challenges, accomplishments, and initial analytical insights |
||
Study Course Theme Plan
FULL-TIME
Part 1
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Lecture
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Modality
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Location
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On site
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Study room
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2
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Topics
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Introduction
Description
course structure and requirements, understanding field work as process, ethical framework and responsibilities, documentation requirements (field notes, portfolio) |
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Class/Seminar
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Study trip
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2
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Topics
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Independent fieldwork
Description
the student carries on her fieldwork |
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Class/Seminar
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Location
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On site
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2
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Topics
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Independent fieldwork
Description
the student carries on her fieldwork |
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Consultation
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Study room
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2
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Topics
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Entering the field, first observations;
Description
Reflection on walking into the field, the most important challenges to do and what not to do, how to build relationships with study participants and present yourself |
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Independent fieldwork
Description
the student carries on her fieldwork |
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the student carries on her fieldwork |
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Independent fieldwork
Description
the student carries on her fieldwork |
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Consultation
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On site
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Study room
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2
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Topics
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Adjusting methods to the reality
Description
Discussion on how the preconceived method needs to be adjusted in the face of real life situations |
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the student carries on her fieldwork |
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Independent fieldwork
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the student carries on her fieldwork |
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Independent fieldwork
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the student carries on her fieldwork |
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Independent fieldwork
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the student carries on her fieldwork |
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Independent fieldwork
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the student carries on her fieldwork |
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Independent fieldwork
Description
the student carries on her fieldwork |
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Consultation
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2
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Topics
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relations, borders and ethics
Description
The meeting is dedicated to discussing research relationship building, boundary-setting and ethical dilemmas, addressing accountability to study participants and researcher positioning. |
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Mid-fieldwork reflection
Description
Students reflect about the experience at the middle point in their fieldwork - challenges, methods, ethics, relations, strategies and tactices, field-notes |
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the student carries on her fieldwork |
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Independent fieldwork
Description
the student carries on her fieldwork |
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Independent fieldwork
Description
the student carries on her fieldwork |
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Independent fieldwork
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the student carries on her fieldwork |
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2
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Topics
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Independent fieldwork
Description
the student carries on her fieldwork |
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On site
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2
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Topics
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Independent fieldwork
Description
the student carries on her fieldwork |
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Class/Seminar
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On site
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Study trip
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2
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Topics
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Independent fieldwork
Description
the student carries on her fieldwork |
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Consultation
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Study room
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2
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Topics
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Density and directions of empirical material
Description
The meeting assessed the collected empirical material, its diversity and analytical potential, identifying dominant topics and possible future field work directions |
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2
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Independent fieldwork
Description
the student carries on her fieldwork |
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Class/Seminar
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Study trip
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2
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Topics
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Independent fieldwork
Description
the student carries on her fieldwork |
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Class/Seminar
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Study trip
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2
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Topics
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Independent fieldwork
Description
the student carries on her fieldwork |
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Class/Seminar
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Study trip
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2
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Topics
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Independent fieldwork
Description
the student carries on her fieldwork |
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Class/Seminar
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Study trip
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2
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Topics
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Independent fieldwork
Description
the student carries on her fieldwork |
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Class/Seminar
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Study trip
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2
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Topics
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Independent fieldwork
Description
the student carries on her fieldwork |
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Class/Seminar
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Study trip
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2
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Topics
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Independent fieldwork
Description
the student carries on her fieldwork |
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Class/Seminar
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Study trip
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2
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Topics
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Independent fieldwork
Description
the student carries on her fieldwork |
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Consultation
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Study room
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2
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Topics
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Closing the fieldwork and moving to analysis
Description
Closing meeting dedicated to fieldwork completion strategies, exiting field relations, and preparation of empirical material for analytical work |
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Class/Seminar
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Study trip
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2
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Topics
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Independent fieldwork
Description
the student carries on her fieldwork |
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Class/Seminar
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Study trip
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2
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Topics
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Independent fieldwork
Description
the student carries on her fieldwork |
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Class/Seminar
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Study trip
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2
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Topics
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Independent fieldwork
Description
the student carries on her fieldwork |
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Class/Seminar
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Study trip
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2
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Topics
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Independent fieldwork
Description
the student carries on her fieldwork |
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Class/Seminar
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Study room
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2
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Topics
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Final report - an oral presentation
Description
Students present a summary of the results of their field work to a commission and colleagues |
Total ECTS (Creditpoints):
12.00
Contact hours:
84 Academic Hours
Final Examination:
Exam
Bibliography
Required Reading
1.
Atkinson, Paul, Amanda Coffey, Sara Delamont, John Lofland un Lyn Lofland. 2001. Handbook of Ethnography. London, Thousand Oaks, New Delhi, Singapore: Sage Publications.Suitable for English stream
2.
Bernard, H Russell. 2016. Research methods in anthropology : qualitative and quantitative approaches. Lanham, MD: AltaMira Press.Suitable for English stream
3.
Madden, Raymond. 2023. Being Ethnographic: A Guide to the Theory and practice of Ethnography. Sage Publications, LtdSuitable for English stream
4.
Fetterman, David M. 2019. Ethnography: step-by-step. 4. ed. Applied social research methods series 17. Thousand Oaks, Calif.: Sage.Suitable for English stream