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Curriculum

The summer Ethnographic Fieldwork semester is divided into two sessions.

Session One: June 1 - July 1

1.  ANTH 183aj Anthropological Inquiry

Taught by Professor Elizabeth Ferry

This course will look at how anthropologists have conducted fieldwork and turned it into different kinds of products — especially ethnographic writing, but also films, museum exhibits, Web sites, teaching curricula, etc. 

We will look at classic and contemporary ethnographic work in the context of the field research conducted. We will also explore collaborative and public anthropology approaches and the role of new media in the field. 

Students will write weekly reflective summaries of the material read and will develop an independent project examining how questions related to their particular project have been researched and written about. This independent project will be submitted in draft form and later revised. Four credits.

Attributes

• SS School of Social Science
• Writing Intensive

Class will meet for two hours in the morning, Monday through Thursday. The exact schedule will be forthcoming.

2. NEW! ANTH 181aj Ethnographic Research Design/Fieldwork

Taught by Professor Elizabeth Ferry

An introduction to research design and the theory and practice of fieldwork. Students will build on their JBS project idea to develop a research proposal and accompanying research design. They will also learn and practice interview techniques, field note taking and management and participant observation. 

Some assignments will be common to all students, while others will be tailored to the individual project. Students will probably have already received human subjects clearance for their research, but they will review that process so that they know how to do it in the future.

Students will finish the course ready to begin their JBS fieldwork in the second session. Four credits.

Attributes:

• SS School of Social Science
• Cross-listed in Sociology

Class will meet for two hours in the afternoon, Monday through Thursday. The exact schedule will be forthcoming.

Session Two: July 6 - Aug. 6

As a part of this JBS program, students will enroll in one of the following two courses.

3. ANTH 98 Individual Readings and Research in Anthropology

or

ANTH 99 Senior Research

or

Other department/program as applicable

Taught by Professor Elizabeth Ferry

In ANTH 98 and 99, students will be required to do 15-20 hours per week field research, following the research design developed in session one. In addition, students will come together as a class once a week for four hours. This class will be run as a workshop for students to discuss and present their field projects and common challenges and strategies with each other. 

Students will also be required to meet with the instructor once a week .(The instructor will hold regular weekly office hours and will be available to meet at other times as necessary.)

During the second session students will prepare a final project, developed by the student in consultation with the instructor and field research partners, if applicable. The project can take a variety of forms, including a final paper, outline and writing sample or chapter for senior thesis, short video, Web site design, PowerPoint, podcast, brochure, etc. Four credits