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PNS0192
Ethnographic Research Methods: From Fieldwork to Narratives
The course comprises a series of lectures and discussion seminars focused on the methodology of ethnography such as participant observations, interviews, discourse analysis and case studies. The course will cover qualitative methods for data collection and analysis, the use of reflexivity and critique, and how to make ethical analyses.
Besides lectures and seminars, the course includes exercises focused on the craft of ethnography and on the process of ethnographic writing. Lectures are held in English and will have specified readings as their benchmarks to be read in advance. Both lectures and seminars encourage discussions of methodological questions that students have experienced and encountered themselves. Students will demonstrate their understanding of different ways of conducting research by identifying, presenting, discussing and analysing various forms of methodologies and research methods. The course also encourage discussions on which methodological approaches students intend to use for their forthcoming PhD-thesis. The course includes discussions on how to make descriptions, analyzes and reflections on societies, cultures and experiences, spanning from basic field notes and field diaries to extensive field reports, papers and monographs.
Students will be encouraged to develop their own approach to ethnographic writing to reflect both their individual ethnographic explorations and the settings in which they work, and to reflexively represent the experiences of those communities, groups and individuals who are the subject of the students’ ethnographic work.The course will also discuss ethical questions connected to the different research methods of the course and the specific fields where research is or will be conducted.
Besides lectures and seminars, the course includes exercises focused on the craft of ethnography and on the process of ethnographic writing. Lectures are held in English and will have specified readings as their benchmarks to be read in advance. Both lectures and seminars encourage discussions of methodological questions that students have experienced and encountered themselves. Students will demonstrate their understanding of different ways of conducting research by identifying, presenting, discussing and analysing various forms of methodologies and research methods. The course also encourage discussions on which methodological approaches students intend to use for their forthcoming PhD-thesis. The course includes discussions on how to make descriptions, analyzes and reflections on societies, cultures and experiences, spanning from basic field notes and field diaries to extensive field reports, papers and monographs.
Students will be encouraged to develop their own approach to ethnographic writing to reflect both their individual ethnographic explorations and the settings in which they work, and to reflexively represent the experiences of those communities, groups and individuals who are the subject of the students’ ethnographic work.The course will also discuss ethical questions connected to the different research methods of the course and the specific fields where research is or will be conducted.
Syllabus and other information
Syllabus
PNS0192 Ethnographic Research Methods: From Fieldwork to Narratives, 5.0 Credits
Subjects
Agricultural History,Environmental Communication,Landscape Architecture,Landscape Planning,Other Social Science, Rural DevelopmentEducation cycle
Postgraduate levelGrading scale
Pass / Failed
Prior knowledge
The course is open to all PhD students working in social sciences, humanities or environemental sciences.Objectives
This course will provide the PhD-students with skills on how to conduct ethnographic research and write ethnographic texts on issues that are relevant to urban and rural development and natural resource management. Upon completion of the course, the PhD-students shall: - be able to evaluate and critically discuss strengths and weaknesses of ethnographic research methods; - be able to delineate a relevant empirical field and empirical material in relation to a given research interest; - demonstrate practical skills in ethnographic field methods and writing; - be able to understand and exercise different forms and styles of ethnographic writing to document, represent and analyze social and cultural issues and aspects; - be able to develop a personal ethnographic writing style; - be able to evaluate ethical issues inherent in representing social and cultural issues and aspects through writing.Content
The course comprises a series of lectures and discussion seminars focused on the methodology of ethnography such as participant observations, interviews, discourse analysis and case studies. The course will cover qualitative methods for data collection and analysis, the use of reflexivity and critique, and how to make ethical analyses. Besides lectures and seminars, the course includes exercises focused on the craft of ethnography and on the process of ethnographic writing. Lectures are held in English and will have specified readings as their benchmarks to be read in advance. Both lectures and seminars encourage discussions of methodological questions that students have experienced and encountered themselves. Students will demonstrate their understanding of different ways of conducting research by identifying, presenting, discussing and analysing various forms of methodologies and research methods. The course also encourage discussions on which methodological approaches students intend to use for their forthcoming PhD-thesis. The course includes discussions on how to make descriptions, analyzes and reflections on societies, cultures and experiences, spanning from basic field notes and field diaries to extensive field reports, papers and monographs. Students will be encouraged to develop their own approach to ethnographic writing to reflect both their individual ethnographic explorations and the settings in which they work, and to reflexively represent the experiences of those communities, groups and individuals who are the subject of the students’ ethnographic work.The course will also discuss ethical questions connected to the different research methods of the course and the specific fields where research is or will be conducted.Additional information
The course is given as part of the post graduate research school ‘Society and Landscape’ at the Department of Urban and Rural Development at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences.Additional contacts:
Kjell Hansen, kjell.hansen@slu.se
Responsible department
Department of Urban and Rural Development